Author: Dr. Muhammad Zia-ur-Rahman Azmi (رحمہ اللہ)
“Allah, Blessed and Exalted, will say on the Day of Resurrection: 'Where are those who loved each other for My Glory? Today, I shall shade them in My Shade, where there is no shade but Mine.'”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2566)
He entered the mosque of Damascus and saw a young man with shining teeth surrounded by people. Whenever there was a dispute, they would refer to him, and his opinion was accepted. He asked about him and was told he was Muadh bin Jabal (رضی اللہ عنہ).
The next day, Abu Idris arrived early at the mosque, only to find Muadh had preceded him in prayer. After Muadh finished praying, Abu Idris said:
“By Allah, I love you for the sake of Allah.”
Muadh asked three times, “Do you really love me for the sake of Allah?” Each time, Abu Idris affirmed. Then, Muadh said:
“Rejoice, for I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: 'Allah Almighty says: My Love is obligatory for those who love each other for My sake, sit together for My sake, visit one another for My sake, and spend for My sake.'”
(Sahih, Musnad Ahmad 22030; Ibn Hibban 575)
He once entered the mosque in Damascus, where a gathering of the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) was taking place. Among them was a young man with radiant eyes and shining teeth. Whenever the group faced confusion, they turned to him. Upon inquiry, he was informed that this was Muadh bin Jabal (رضی اللہ عنہ). Later, Abu Muslim told Muadh:
“I love you for Allah’s sake.”
Muadh replied:
“Rejoice, for I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) say: ‘Those who love each other for Allah will be on pulpits of light under Allah’s Throne on the Day when there is no shade but His.’”
(Sahih, Musnad Ahmad 22064; Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 2390)
“The Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘Whoever loves someone for the sake of Allah has indeed honored his Lord.’”
(Hasan, Musnad Ahmad 2229)
“When two people love each other for the sake of Allah, the one who loves the other more is more beloved to Allah.”
(Hasan, Tabarani Al-Awsat 5275)
Anas (رضی اللہ عنہ) narrated:
“No two people love each other for Allah’s sake except that the one who loves the other more is superior.”
(Hasan, Ibn Hibban 566)
“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Allah, the Exalted, declares: My Love is obligatory for those who love each other for My sake, visit each other for My sake, spend on each other for My sake, and support each other for My sake.’”
(Hasan, Musnad Ahmad 19436)
Allah knows best!
Excellence of Loving for Allah’s Sake
1. Allah's Shade for Those Who Love Each Other for His Sake
Abu Hurairah (رضی اللہ عنہ) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:“Allah, Blessed and Exalted, will say on the Day of Resurrection: 'Where are those who loved each other for My Glory? Today, I shall shade them in My Shade, where there is no shade but Mine.'”
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2566)
2. Allah's Love for Those Who Love, Visit, and Spend for His Sake
Abu Idris Al-Khawlani (رحمہ اللہ) narrated:He entered the mosque of Damascus and saw a young man with shining teeth surrounded by people. Whenever there was a dispute, they would refer to him, and his opinion was accepted. He asked about him and was told he was Muadh bin Jabal (رضی اللہ عنہ).
The next day, Abu Idris arrived early at the mosque, only to find Muadh had preceded him in prayer. After Muadh finished praying, Abu Idris said:
“By Allah, I love you for the sake of Allah.”
Muadh asked three times, “Do you really love me for the sake of Allah?” Each time, Abu Idris affirmed. Then, Muadh said:
“Rejoice, for I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: 'Allah Almighty says: My Love is obligatory for those who love each other for My sake, sit together for My sake, visit one another for My sake, and spend for My sake.'”
(Sahih, Musnad Ahmad 22030; Ibn Hibban 575)
3. Those Who Love for Allah Will Be Under the Shade of His Throne
Abu Muslim Al-Khawlani narrated:He once entered the mosque in Damascus, where a gathering of the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) was taking place. Among them was a young man with radiant eyes and shining teeth. Whenever the group faced confusion, they turned to him. Upon inquiry, he was informed that this was Muadh bin Jabal (رضی اللہ عنہ). Later, Abu Muslim told Muadh:
“I love you for Allah’s sake.”
Muadh replied:
“Rejoice, for I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) say: ‘Those who love each other for Allah will be on pulpits of light under Allah’s Throne on the Day when there is no shade but His.’”
(Sahih, Musnad Ahmad 22064; Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 2390)
4. Loving Allah’s Servants is Loving Allah
Abu Umamah (رضی اللہ عنہ) narrated:“The Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘Whoever loves someone for the sake of Allah has indeed honored his Lord.’”
(Hasan, Musnad Ahmad 2229)
5. Stronger Love Is More Beloved to Allah
Abu Darda (رضی اللہ عنہ) narrated:“When two people love each other for the sake of Allah, the one who loves the other more is more beloved to Allah.”
(Hasan, Tabarani Al-Awsat 5275)
Anas (رضی اللہ عنہ) narrated:
“No two people love each other for Allah’s sake except that the one who loves the other more is superior.”
(Hasan, Ibn Hibban 566)
6. Allah's Love for Mutual Visits and Support
Abu Zabiya narrated that Sharhabeel bin Simt asked Amr bin Abasah (رضی اللہ عنہ) to recount a Hadith directly from the Prophet (ﷺ) without any additions. Amr bin Abasah said:“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Allah, the Exalted, declares: My Love is obligatory for those who love each other for My sake, visit each other for My sake, spend on each other for My sake, and support each other for My sake.’”
(Hasan, Musnad Ahmad 19436)
Conclusion
The virtues of loving one another for the sake of Allah are immense. Such individuals will:- Be shaded under Allah’s Throne on the Day of Judgment.
- Earn Allah’s special love and pleasure.
- Be elevated to ranks of honor on pulpits of light.
- Receive abundant rewards for their sincere devotion to Allah and each other.
Allah knows best!