The Source of Love

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following is extracted from “The Purification of the Soul”, compiled from the works of Imam ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (r.a.), Imam ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (r.a.) and Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (r.a.).

Loving Allah, the Glorious, the Exalted, is the ultimate aim of all stations, and the summit of all states.  Having attained the state of true love for Allah (s.w.t.), each station that follows it is one of its fruits and a branch from its roots - such as longing, intimacy and contentment.  Each station that precedes it is a step towards it - such as repentance, perseverance and doing without, or zuhd.

The most beneficial, the most sincere, the most elevated and the most exalted kind of love is most certainly the love of the One Whom hearts were Created to love, and for Whom Creation was Brought into existence to adore.  Allah (s.w.t.) is the One to Whom hearts turn in love, exaltation, glorification, humility, submission and worship.  Such worship cannot be directed towards other than Him.  It is the perfection of love accompanied by complete submission and humility.  Allah, the Exalted, is loved for His own sake in every respect.  All except Him are loved for the love they give in return.  All the Revealed Books, and the messages of all the prophets, bear witness to the love that is due towards Him, as does the natural impulse He has Created in all His servants, the intellect He has Given them, and the Blessings He has Poured on them.  Hearts, as they mature, come to love whomever is merciful and kind towards them.  So how much greater is their love for Him from Whom all kindness Springs.