The great poet Ibn al-Farīd said in a line of poetry, “Some people claimed to face love, but turned away. They claimed to swim the oceans of love but did not get wet.”
The word love is a mystery. It conjures up the color red, pink roses, shiny jewels, and fancy dresses. The word love makes us think of chubby babies, soft grandparents, and kind-hearted spouses. It might make us think of mountains, autumn, or pandas.
When we think about loving our children, we recognize the hard work that goes into that love. We willingly leave our beds at night to tend to their needs, and put aside our personal goals and dreams to change diapers and wipe mucus off of little noses. We are pleased when our three year old agrees to eat two bites of the meal we spent two hours putting together. One smile melts our hearts and washes away all irritation and frustration. Love is manifest in the day to day deeds of motherhood.
Lovers of the environment – stewards of the earth – spend much time growing their own food, reducing their carbon footprints, and fighting against the elements that damage our planet. Their love shows in their devotion, their donations, and their lifestyles.
Friends hold each other in their hearts and make phone calls ‘at just the right time’, send gifts that are ‘just what is needed’, and say ‘just the right thing.’ The love of friends is manifest in the thoughtful undertakings of friendship.
Love of God and His messenger can be so ethereal that we struggle to identify the actions of this love. Yet it is this love that is the most important love. It is the love of God and His messenger that will expand our hearts and turn our faces away from selfishness and self-absorption towards generosity and altruism.
It is a requirement of faith, God says, {If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates, or your kindred, the wealth that ye have gained, the commerce in which ye fear a decline, or the dwellings in which ye delight are more beloved to you than Allah, or His Messenger, or the striving in His cause, then wait until Allah brings about His decision, and Allah guides not the rebellious.} (9:24)
The Prophet ﷺ, “None of you will have faith until he loves me more than his father, his children and all humankind.” (Bukhārī)
Ibn al-Farīd warns us of claiming love, without actually living it. How do we soak ourselves in this love?
We willingly leave our beds at night to tend to this love in tahajjud. We make our personal goals secondary to the goal of manifesting belief and good character on this earth. We find pleasure in the smallest success and ignore the tantrums. We must spend time arranging our lifestyle so that it manifests our love. And we must be willing to give of our time, money and emotion to these divine relationships.
Get up at night and pray. Join a Pilgrims at Home team. Arrange your life for growth. Commit to a Ribaat class. Hold the daʿwa in your heart and be the one who does ‘just what is needed.’ Commit to a monthly donation today.
Get wet. Jump into the ocean of Divine love. Let us be of those who live love, spread love, feel love, grow love, and know Love. Ameen.
