Love

Love is not just an abstract noun. It’s a gift to us from the Almighty, an emotional reward embedded in our hearts by Him. He sent us down with this gift—how Gracious, how Merciful.

Definitions of love include a warm affection, affectionate devotion, attachment, liking and fondness towards somebody or something to convey an affectionate message. Among God’s creations are humans, animals, and nature in different modes, with gradations of friendship flowing through them, harmonizing, uniting, binding together and creating rapport within and between all species of creation.

God created us with different looks, colors, languages, races, and spread us all over the world. And yet, we can develop a warm binding friendship miles and miles away. I don’t agree with the phrase: “out of sight, out of mind.” We can still have a long and beautiful love deep in our hearts, though miles apart. Love is sharing, caring, developing confidence in each other, working out problems. It used to take time to communicate over distances—letters, cards, expensive telephone calls. Today, by God’s grace, computers do all the work—so fast, in the blink of an eye.

Our love for God should be foremost and first. That love should be eternal, everlasting and unconditional.

Our love for God shapes and guides our love for others, such as the love a mother gives her child or that placed in our hearts for our spouse (30:21). We can also have love for other than humans. If you keep a pet, you love that animal and they give you love back; they stand by you, serve you, or alert you in times of danger (the ultimate protection comes from God). You train them (5:4) and they willingly work for you. There is a distinct love bond of friendship between animal and master.

Nature is another creation of God in all its glory—one of His beautiful creations. If you appreciate its beauty, nurture it, feed and water it, it will respond to your love and care by giving healthy fruit, flowers, and great beauty. It’s living nature. When I had my first lessons in Ikebana, many years ago, my teacher told me that there is an intimate communication—a distinct pull of love—between man and nature.

Our love for God should drive our desire to stand before Him, accepted back into His kingdom in the Hereafter. We must try to seek His approval and love, not expecting anything in return unless God Himself feels we are ready to receive and share this love. Believe in Him, obey His commands, uphold righteousness, and follow His path without wavering.

[19:96] Surely, those who believe and lead a righteous life, the Most Gracious will shower them with love.

 

His love is specified for those who achieve certain qualities—He loves the righteous, the benevolent, the just, the equitable, those who are clean, the suppressors of anger, the appreciative, the repenters, the charitable, those who steadfastly persevere, and those who have faith and trust in Him.

We have to earn God’s love. He does not love the aggressors, the wasters, disbelievers, arrogant show offs, the corruptors, the boastful, proud, the unjust, the transgressors, the evil doers, the unappreciative.

He has put into the Quran His preferences—what He loves and what He does not love. He tells us how to acquire His love, so we should be very careful by obeying His laws. [22:38] GOD defends those who believe. GOD does not love any betrayer, unappreciative.

God is Most Merciful and forgives us when we make mistakes—even the prophets made mistakes. When we repent and reform, God is Forgiver. 2:222 tells us: GOD loves the repenters, and He loves those who are clean.”

So, as we enjoy love in this world, remember that God’s love is the most important for us to seek. [2:165] …. Those who believe love GOD the most….

[3:31] Proclaim: “If you love GOD, you should follow me.” GOD will then love you, and forgive your sins. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[3:32] Proclaim: “You shall obey GOD and the messenger.” If they turn away, GOD does not love the disbelievers.

Hena