The Love of Rasulullah SAW - Something We Severely Lack In

It is sad to say that today throughout the world, this Ummah is suffering from a very big loss. A loss that is simply due to our unwillingness and our shortcomings in not being able to recognise the greatness of our Holy Prophet, the Prophet Muhammad, Rasulullah SAW.

When an individual's beloved passes away or goes on a long journey, then imagine the condition of the heart of that individual. He/she constantly thinks about his/her beloved. He/she constantly ponders upon that individual's virtues and favours. Is this not the relationship we should have with our Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW. Considering the fact that he bestowed upon us the greatest of favours? ISLAM.

Allah Taa'la mentions this in the Holy Qur'an by declaring a challenge to all Believers in a very powerful Verse. Allah SWT says:

"Say (O Muhammad), If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your tribe, your wealth that you have earned, your business the loss of which you fear, and your homes which please you - are more beloved to you than Allah, His Messenger (SAW) and striving in his cause, then wait until Allah brings His Punishment and Allah does not guide the Transgressors." (Surah At-Taubah: Ayat 24)

In the above Verse, Allah SWT has used the word "Ahabba" ("more beloved") - because Allah SWT is our Creator and He knows His Creation better than we know ourselves.

In the above-mentioned verse, Allah SWT has listed all the things which surround a person in his/her life from the beginning to the end; and all things which are strongly attached and is beloved to him/her. A person has a natural bond and attachment to his/her parents, his/her children, his/her spouse, and his/her relatives, and if anything happens to them, he/she becomes greatly distressed.

When a person starts to work, that individual will gradually begin to cherish the earnings made and thus making his/her heart tender towards that which has been strived for. Assume that this was to go missing, imagine the grief that person would go through.

Allah SWT then further mentions "business". When an individual works hard to start a business and begins to see it grow and become profitable, then that too takes a place in his/her heart and the individual will become constantly worried about the financial stability of the business.

Then finally in the list, Allah SWT mentions the homes of individuals. Infact - yes, the saying is true. "Home Sweet Home"; and ironically when someone is on a journey, or is at a place far away from home and family, then another saying comes to mind - "Home Sick".

Verily, how amazingly true is the list that Allah has mentioned. Despite the fact that Allah knows how attached a person can become with the above mentioned, Allah used the word "Ahabba"("more beloved"). Thus, we should inculcate in our hearts, so that our love, attachment and yearning for the Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW is far greater than all of the above-mentioned.

Now if this is not the case - thus meaning that the love of Allah, His Messenger SAW, and striving for their cause are less beloved to us than the listed things, Allah Forbid; then Allah SWT warns:

"Then wait until Allah brings about His Decision (i.e. Torment). And Allah guides not the people who are Al-Fasiqun (Disobedient to Allah)."

Hence, in the same Verse of the Qur'an, Allah has forewarned us with Punishment, if we have any shortcomings in our love for Him, the Messenger SAW and striving in His path.

A valuable point to think about is - the way Allah SWT talks to the Creation through this Verse. Allah could simply have told us so that we - "love the Messenger more than anything else you have"; but instead Allah SWT uses challenging words, and thus orders the Holy Prophet SAW to pass this on to the Ummah. Thus the starting - "Say (O Muhammad)".

Taking this verse into contemplation, let us develop and churn our immense and intense love for Rasulullah SAW, and fill the emptiness we have in that respect. The Seerah of the Prophet Muhammad SAW should be carefully pondered upon, to help us with this most important task. We should also contemplate on the above Verse of the Qur'an, again and again, and keep it before us throughout our life.