Saudi Gazette In Islam, there is more than one gate that leads to Paradise. The doors to goodness are many, and Allah's mercy is wider than we can even imagine. Simply by loving our fellow brothers and sisters in Islam, Allah will allow us to take refuge under the umbrella of His mercy. This type of love is a special love; it is true love, to love one another for the sake of Allah. Love for superficial reasons, such as loving someone for their beauty or wealth or position in society will not last forever. Love for worldly gain is bound to fade; the love that lasts forever is to love someone who brings you closer to Allah. Love for the sake of Allah is the love which stands the test of time and it does not end, not even with death. And love for the sake of Allah will carry on when it matters most, in the Hereafter. The dwellers of Paradise will ask about their good, believing friends from this world. If they do not find their good companions in Paradise, they will miss them and they will ask Allah, "Oh Lord, we have brothers, they used to pray with us and fast with us but we do not see them." Allah, the Most High, will say, "Go to the Fire and take out whoever has an atom's weight of faith." Al-Hasan Al-Basri used to say, "Befriend many believing friends for indeed for them is an intercession on the Day of Resurrection." So true love is the love that leads you to Paradise, and the one who truly loves you is the one who reminds you of Allah. Two people who love one another for the sake of Allah enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil and they give each other sincere advice. They treat one another kindly and are quick to be in the assistance of their friend in need. They guide each other to what is good and help each other in acts of obedience. Likewise, they prevent and discourage one another from falling into sin. They excuse one another's mistakes and defend each other's honor, never speaking ill of one another. The rewards for this true love are great. First of all, you enjoy this satisfying companionship in this world, but more importantly, you gain a high status on the Day of Judgment, and in Paradise. Many of us have heard of the famous saying of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that lists the seven types of people who will be shaded under Allah's shade on the Day of Judgment, when there will be no shade but His. Among those blessed people who will be sheltered under the shade of Allah are, "two men who love each other for the sake of Allah alone, meeting for that reason and parting for that reason." (Sahih Al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim) Abu Hurayrah relates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Allah will ask on the Day of Judgment: ‘Where are those who loved each other for the sake of My glory? Today, - on a day when there is no shade but mine – I shall shade them with My shade." (Sahih Muslim) The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to his companions, "Among Allah's servants are people who are neither Prophets nor martyrs, but whom the Prophets and martyrs will deem fortunate because of their high status with Allah." They asked, "O Messenger of Allah! Inform us of who they are." He (peace be upon him) said, "They are people who loved each other for Allah's sake, without being related to one another or being tied to one another by the exchange of wealth. By Allah, their faces will be luminous and they will be upon light. They will feel no fear when the people will be feeling fear and they will feel no grief when the people will be grieving." What an enormous privilege for those who love one another for the sake of Allah. You should wish for your brothers and sisters in Islam what you wish for yourself; there is no envy or jealousy in this relationship. Extend your help whenever you can. Inquire about their wellbeing, visit the sick, share their happiness in times of joy and be a shoulder to lean on in their times of grief. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was always concerned for those around him. In fact, when the Prophet (peace be upon him) noticed that the person who used to clean the masjid was not there, he asked about this person. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was informed that the man had passed away, so he asked to be shown where the man's grave was so that he may pray for him. By being a good friend and loving for the sake of Allah, you can earn the pleasure of Allah. In his traditions, Prophet Muhammad said, "A person visited his brother in another town and Allah sent an angel to wait for him on his way. The angel said, "Where do you intend to go?" The man answered, "I intend to go to my brother in this town." The angel said, "Have you done any favor to him, the repayment of which you intend to get?" He said: "No, I love him for the sake of Allah, the Exalted and Glorious." Thereupon the angel said, "I am a messenger to you from Allah to inform you that Allah loves you as you love your brother." (Sunan Abu Dawud) This type of friendship and love is needed in our homes and in our communities.
