بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalamu Alaikum.
Yes, there are people that the Prophets (alaihimissalaam) and the martyrs envy (in the good way (ghibtah), not the bad way (hasad).).
So, who are these special people, you ask?
عَنْ أَبِي مُسْلِمٍ الْخَوْلاَنِيِّ، حَدَّثَنِي مُعَاذُ بْنُ جَبَلٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ : قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ الْمُتَحَابُّونَ فِي جَلاَلِي لَهُمْ مَنَابِرُ مِنْ نُورٍ يَغْبِطُهُمُ النَّبِيُّونَ وَالشُّهَدَاءُ
Abu Muslim Al-Khawlani narrated that Muadh ibn Jabal (radiallahu anhu) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, said: ‘Those who love each other for the sake of My Majesty shall be upon podiums of light, and they will be envied by the Prophets and the martyrs.'” [Jaami At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth No. 2390. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]
And that’s not all.
عَنْ عُمَر بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ، قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم : إِنَّ مِنْ عِبَادِ اللَّهِ لأُنَاسًا مَا هُمْ بِأَنْبِيَاءَ وَلاَ شُهَدَاءَ يَغْبِطُهُمُ الأَنْبِيَاءُ وَالشُّهَدَاءُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ بِمَكَانِهِمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى . قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ تُخْبِرُنَا مَنْ هُمْ . قَالَ : هُمْ قَوْمٌ تَحَابُّوا بِرُوحِ اللَّهِ عَلَى غَيْرِ أَرْحَامٍ بَيْنَهُمْ وَلاَ أَمْوَالٍ يَتَعَاطَوْنَهَا فَوَاللَّهِ إِنَّ وُجُوهَهُمْ لَنُورٌ وَإِنَّهُمْ عَلَى نُورٍ لاَ يَخَافُونَ إِذَا خَافَ النَّاسُ وَلاَ يَحْزَنُونَ إِذَا حَزِنَ النَّاسُ . وَقَرَأَ هَذِهِ الآيَةَ { أَلاَ إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهِ لاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ } .
Umar ibn al-Khattab (radiallahu anhu) reported the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as saying: There are people from the servants of Allah who are neither prophets nor martyrs; the prophets and martyrs will envy them on the Day of Resurrection for their rank from Allah, the Most High.
They (the people) asked: Tell us, Messenger of Allah, who are they? He replied: They are people who love one another in the spirit of Allah, without having any mutual kinship and giving property to one. I swear by Allah, their faces will glow and they will be (sitting) in (pulpits of) light. They will have no fear (on the Day) when the people will have fear, and they will not grieve when the people will grieve.
He then recited this verse:
أَلَا إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّـهِ لَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
No doubt! Verily, the Auliyaa of Allah [i.e. those who believe in the Oneness of Allah and fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which he has forbidden), and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)], no fear shall come upon them nor shall they grieve. [Surah Yunus (10) : 62]
[Sunan Abee Dawood, Hadeeth No. 3527. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani. Note: For some strange reason, the grading of this hadeeth is missing from my copy of Sunan Abee Dawood so I had to check it out on Dorar.]
And there’s even more.
عن أبي مسلم الخولاني قال: قُلْتُ لِمُعاذِ بنِ جبلٍ: واللهِ إنِّي لَأُحِبُّك لغيرِ دنيا أرجو أنْ أُصيبَها منك ولا قرابةٍ بيني وبينَك قال: فلأيِّ شيءٍ ؟ قُلْتُ: للهِ قال: فجذَب حَبْوتي ثمَّ قال: أبشِرْ إنْ كُنْتَ صادقًا فإنِّي سمِعْتُ رسولَ اللهِ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّم يقولُ: ( المُتحابُّونَ في اللهِ في ظلِّ العرشِ يومَ لا ظلَّ إلَّا ظِلُّه يغبِطُهم بمكانِهم النَّبيُّونَ والشُّهداءُ ) ثمَّ قال: فخرَجْتُ فأتَيْتُ عُبادةَ بنَ الصَّامتِ فحدَّثْتُه بحديثِ مُعاذٍ فقال عُبادةُ بنُ الصَّامتِ: سمِعْتُ رسولَ اللهِ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّم يقولُ عن ربِّه تبارَك وتعالى: ( حقَّتْ محبَّتي على المُتحابِّينَ فيَّ وحقَّتْ محبَّتي على المُتناصِحينَ فيَّ وحقَّت محبَّتي على المُتزاوِرينَ فيَّ وحقَّتْ محبَّتي على المُتباذِلينَ فيَّ وهم على منابرَ مِن نورٍ يغبِطُهم النَّبيُّونَ والصِّدِّيقونَ بمكانِهم )
Abu Muslim Al-Khawlani narrated: I said to Muadh ibn Jabal (radiallahu anhu): ‘I swear by Allah, I love you, neither for a worldly gain nor kinship between us.’ He said: ‘Then for what reason?’ I said: ‘For the sake of Allah.’
He [Abu Muslim] said: He grabbed my robe and then said: ‘Glad tidings [for you] if you are truthful. I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) say: Those who love each other for the sake of Allah will be under the shade of the Throne on the Day that there is no shade but His. They are envied for their place by the Prophets and martyrs.’
He [Abu Muslim] then said: “I left and then found Ubaadah ibn Saamit (radiallahu anhu) and informed him about the hadeeth of Muadh. So Ubaadah ibn Saabit said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) narrate from his Lord, the Blessed and Exalted : ‘My love is incumbent upon those who love each other for My sake, and My love is incumbent upon those who advise each other for My sake, and My love is incumbent upon those who visit each other for My sake, and My love is incumbent upon those who spend on each other for My sake. They will be upon pulpits of light and the Prophets and martyrs will envy their place.” [Sahih Ibn Hibban, Hadeeth No. 577. Shuaib Al-Arnaut said that its isnaad (chain) was jayyid (good).]
Just imagine being envied by the Prophets (alaihimissalaam) and the martyrs.
And the best part is that the deed mentioned (loving for the sake of Allah) is something that ANYBODY can do. Wealth, education, status, health, gender, nationality, marital status, etc. are irrelevant.
And the even better part is that there are even more virtues about loving for the sake of Allah.
As mentioned in the previous hadeeth, those who love for the sake of Allah, will get the Shade of the Throne on the Day of Judgement.
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ : سَبْعَةٌ يُظِلُّهُمُ اللَّهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فِي ظِلِّهِ، يَوْمَ لاَ ظِلَّ إِلاَّ ظِلُّهُ إِمَامٌ عَادِلٌ، وَشَابٌّ نَشَأَ فِي عِبَادَةِ اللَّهِ، وَرَجُلٌ ذَكَرَ اللَّهَ فِي خَلاَءٍ فَفَاضَتْ عَيْنَاهُ، وَرَجُلٌ قَلْبُهُ مُعَلَّقٌ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ، وَرَجُلاَنِ تَحَابَّا فِي اللَّهِ، وَرَجُلٌ دَعَتْهُ امْرَأَةٌ ذَاتُ مَنْصِبٍ وَجَمَالٍ إِلَى نَفْسِهَا قَالَ إِنِّي أَخَافُ اللَّهَ. وَرَجُلٌ تَصَدَّقَ بِصَدَقَةٍ فَأَخْفَاهَا، حَتَّى لاَ تَعْلَمَ شِمَالُهُ مَا صَنَعَتْ يَمِينُهُ
Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Seven (people) will be shaded by Allah by His Shade on the Day of Resurrection when there will be no shade except His Shade. (They will be), a just ruler, a young man who has been brought up in the worship of Allah, a man who remembers Allah in seclusion and his eyes are then flooded with tears, a man whose heart is attached to mosques (offers his compulsory congregational prayers in the mosque), two men who love each other for Allah’s Sake, a man who is called by a charming lady of noble birth to commit illegal sexual intercourse with her, and he says, ‘I am afraid of Allah,’ and (finally), a man who gives in charity so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 8, Hadeeth No. 798]
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم : إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَقُولُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَيْنَ الْمُتَحَابُّونَ بِجَلاَلِي الْيَوْمَ أُظِلُّهُمْ فِي ظِلِّي يَوْمَ لاَ ظِلَّ إِلاَّ ظِلِّي
Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as saying: Verily, Allah would say on the Day of Resurrection: Where are those who have mutual love for My Glory’s sake? Today I shall shelter them in My shade when there is no other shade except My shade. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 6225]
As if all of this wasn’t enough, loving for the sake of Allah brings about the love of Allah Himself.
عَنْ أَبِي إِدْرِيسَ الْخَوْلاَنِيِّ قَالَ دخَلْتُ مسجدَ دِمَشْقَ فإذا فتًى برَّاقُ الثَّنايا وإذا النَّاسُ معه إذا اختلَفوا في شيءٍ أسنَدوه إليه وصدَروا عن رأيِه فسأَلْتُ عنه فقيل: هذا معاذُ بنُ جبلٍ فلمَّا كان الغدُ هجَّرْتُ فوجَدْتُه قد سبَقني بالتَّهجيرِ ووجَدْتُه يُصَلِّي قال: فانتظَرْتُه حتَّى قضى صلاتَه ثمَّ جِئْتُه مِن قِبَلِ وجهِه فسلَّمْتُ عليه وقُلْتُ: واللهِ إنِّي لَأُحِبُّك للهِ فقال: آللهِ ؟ قُلْتُ: آللهِ فأخَذ بحَبوةِ ردائي فجذَبني إليه وقال: أبشِرْ فإنِّي سمِعْتُ رسولَ اللهِ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّم يقولُ: (قال اللهُ تبارَك وتعالى: وجَبَتْ محبَّتي للمُتحابِّين فيَّ والمُتجالِسينَ فيَّ والمُتزاوِرينَ فيَّ )
Abu Idris al-Khawlani said, “I entered the Damascus mosque and there was a young man with a beautiful mouth and white teeth sitting with some people. When they disagreed about something, they referred it to him and proceeded from his opinion. I inquired about him, and it was said, ‘This is Muadh ibn Jabal.’ The next day I went to the noon-prayer, and I found that he had preceded me to the noon prayer and I found him praying.”
He [Abu Idris] said:”I waited for him until he had finished the prayer. Then I came to him from in front of him and greeted him and said, ‘By Allah! I love you for Allah!’ He said, ‘By Allah?’ I said: ‘By Allah’. He took hold of me with the upper part of my cloak and pulled me to him and said, ‘Rejoice! I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, “Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, said, ‘My love is obliged for those who love each other for My Sake, and those who sit with each other for My sake, and those who visit each other for My sake.” [Sahih Ibn Hibban, Hadeeth No. 575. Shuaib Al-Arnaut said that its isnaad (chain) was authentic upon the conditions of the two shaikhs (i.e. Bukhari and Muslim).]
عن عبادة بن الصامت رضي الله عنه قال: سمِعتُ رسولَ اللهِ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّم يأثِرُ عن ربِّه تبارك وتعالَى يقولُ : حقَّت محبَّتي للمُتحابِّين فيَّ ، وحقَّت محبَّتي للمُتواصلين فيَّ ، وحقَّت محبَّتي للمُتزاوِرين فيَّ ، وحقَّت محبَّتي للمُتباذلين فيَّ
Ubaadah ibn Saamit (radiallahu anhu) narrated: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) narrating from His Lord, the Blessed and Exalted, that He said: My love is guaranteed for those who love one another for My sake, and My love is guaranteed for those who uphold ties with one another for My sake, and My love is guaranteed for those who visit one another for My sake, and My love is guaranteed for those who help one another (financially) for My sake. [Sahih At-Targheeb Wat-Tarheeb, Hadeeth No. 3020]
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم : أَنَّ رَجُلاً زَارَ أَخًا لَهُ فِي قَرْيَةٍ أُخْرَى فَأَرْصَدَ اللَّهُ لَهُ عَلَى مَدْرَجَتِهِ مَلَكًا فَلَمَّا أَتَى عَلَيْهِ قَالَ أَيْنَ تُرِيدُ قَالَ أُرِيدُ أَخًا لِي فِي هَذِهِ الْقَرْيَةِ . قَالَ هَلْ لَكَ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ نِعْمَةٍ تَرُبُّهَا قَالَ لاَ غَيْرَ أَنِّي أَحْبَبْتُهُ فِي اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ . قَالَ فَإِنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكَ بِأَنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ أَحَبَّكَ كَمَا أَحْبَبْتَهُ فِيهِ
Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as saying: A person visited his brother in another town and Allah deputed an Angel to wait for him on his way and when he came to him he said: Where do you intend to go? He said: I intend to go to my brother in this town. He said: Have you done any favour to him (the repayment of which you intend to get)? He said: No, excepting this that I love him for the sake of Allah, the Exalted and Glorious. Thereupon he said: I am a messenger to you from, Allah: (to inform you) that Allah loves you as you love him (for His sake). [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 6226]
A person who loves for the sake of Allah will also get honoured by Allah.
عَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم : مَا أَحَبَّ عَبْدٌ عَبْدًا لِلَّهِ إِلَّا أَكْرَمَ رَبَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ
Abu Umaamah (radiallahu anhu) narrated: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), said, “A servant does not love another servant for the sake of Allah, except that his Lord, the Mighty and Sublime, will honor him.” [Musnad Ahmad, Hadeeth No. 22229. Shuaib Al-Arnaut said that its isnaad (chain) was “hasan” (good).]
The more than a person loves another for the sake of Allah, the better he or she becomes.
عن أنس بن مالك أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: ما تحابَّ اثنانِ في اللهِ إلَّا كان أفضلَهما أشدُّهما حبًّا لصاحبِه
Anas ibn Malik (radiallahu anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “No two love each another for the sake of Allah, except that the better one of them is the one who has the stronger love for his companion.” [Sahih Ibn Hibban, Hadeeth No. 566. Shuaib Al-Arnaut authenticated it, saying the hadeeth was established.]
ِAlso, the better a person is to their companions and neighbours, the better they will be in the sight of Allah.
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم : خَيْرُ الأَصْحَابِ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ خَيْرُهُمْ لِصَاحِبِهِ وَخَيْرُ الْجِيرَانِ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ خَيْرُهُمْ لِجَارِهِ
Abdullah bin Amr (radiallahu anuhuma) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said : “The best of companions with Allah is the one who is best to his companions, and the best of neighbours to Allah is the one who is the best of them to his neighbour”. [Jaami At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth No. 1944. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]
Loving someone for the sake of Allah alone leads one to taste the sweetness of iman (faith).
عَنْ أَنَسٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ : ثَلاَثٌ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ وَجَدَ حَلاَوَةَ الإِيمَانِ أَنْ يَكُونَ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْهِ مِمَّا سِوَاهُمَا، وَأَنْ يُحِبَّ الْمَرْءَ لاَ يُحِبُّهُ إِلاَّ لِلَّهِ، وَأَنْ يَكْرَهَ أَنْ يَعُودَ فِي الْكُفْرِ كَمَا يَكْرَهُ أَنْ يُقْذَفَ فِي النَّارِ
Narrated Anas (radiallahu anhu): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Whoever possesses the following three qualities will have the sweetness (delight) of faith:
1. The one to whom Allah and His Messenger becomes dearer than anything else.
2. Who loves a person and he loves him only for Allah’s sake.
3. Who hates to revert to Atheism (disbelief) as he hates to be thrown into the fire.”
[Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Hadeeth No. 15]
عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم : ثَلاَثٌ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ وَجَدَ بِهِنَّ حَلاَوَةَ الإِيمَانِ وَطَعْمَهُ أَنْ يَكُونَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَرَسُولُهُ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْهِ مِمَّا سِوَاهُمَا وَأَنْ يُحِبَّ فِي اللَّهِ وَأَنْ يُبْغِضَ فِي اللَّهِ وَأَنْ تُوقَدَ نَارٌ عَظِيمَةٌ فَيَقَعُ فِيهَا أَحَبَّ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ أَنْ يُشْرِكَ بِاللَّهِ شَيْئًا
It was narrated that Anas bin Malik (radiallahu anhu) said: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: ‘There are three things, whoever attains them will find therein the sweetness of faith: When Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, and His Messenger are dearer to him than all else; when he loves for the sake of Allah and hates for the sake of Allah and when a huge fire be lit and he fall into it, than associate anything with Allah.'” [Sunan An-Nasai, Hadeeth No. 4990. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: من سرَّه أن يجِدَ حلاوةَ الإيمانِ فليُحبَّ المرءَ لا يُحِبُّه إلَّا للهِ
Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Whoever wishes to attain the sweetness of faith, should love a person only for the sake of Allah.” [Sahih At-Targheeb Wat-Tarheeb, Hadeeth No. 3012]
Also, loving for the sake of Allah is an act that will help a person to perfect his or her iman (faith).
عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ مُعَاذِ بْنِ أَنَسٍ الْجُهَنِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ :مَنْ أَعْطَى لِلَّهِ وَمَنَعَ لِلَّهِ وَأَحَبَّ لِلَّهِ وَأَبْغَضَ لِلَّهِ وَأَنْكَحَ لِلَّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَكْمَلَ إِيمَانَهُ
Sahl ibn Muadh ibn Anas Al-Juhni narrated from his father that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Whoever gives for the sake of Allah, withholds for the sake of Allah, loves for the sake of Allah, hates for the sake of Allah, and marries for the sake of Allah, he has indeed perfected his faith.” [Jaami At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth No. 2521. Graded “hasan” (good) by Al-Albani]
Loving for the sake of Allah is also the strongest handhold of iman (faith).
عن البراء بن عازب رضي الله عنه قال: كنَّا جُلوسًا عند النَّبيِّ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّم فقال : أيُّ عرَى الإسلامِ أوثقُ ؟ قالوا : الصَّلاةُ . قال : حسنةٌ ، وما هي بها ؟ قالوا : صيامُ رمضانَ . قال : حسنٌ ، وما هو به ؟ . قالوا : الجهادُ . قال : حسنٌ ، وما هو به ؟ قال : إنَّ أوثقَ عرَى الإيمانِ أن تحبَّ في اللهِ وتُبغِضَ في اللهِ
Al Baraa ibn Aazib (radiallahu anhu) narrated: “We were sitting with the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) when he said: “Which is the strongest handhold of Islam?”
They said: “Prayer.”
He said: “Good but it is not (the correct answer).”
They said: “The fast of Ramadan”.
He said: “Good, but it is not (the correct answer).”
They said: “Jihad (fighting for the sake of Allah)”.
He said: “Good, but it is not (the correct answer).” He (then) said: “The strongest handhold of faith is that you love for the sake of Allah and that you hate for the sake of Allah.” [Sahih At-Targheeb Wat-Tarheeb, Hadeeth No. 3030]
Loving for the sake of Allah is also a means of increasing one’s level in Paradise.
عَنْ عَبْد اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْعُودٍ ـ رضى الله عنه – جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ كَيْفَ تَقُولُ فِي رَجُلٍ أَحَبَّ قَوْمًا وَلَمْ يَلْحَقْ بِهِمْ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم : الْمَرْءُ مَعَ مَنْ أَحَبَّ
Narrated Abdullah ibn Masud (radiallahu anhu) :A man came to Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and said, “O Allah’s Messenger! What do you say about a man who loves some people but cannot catch up with their good deeds?” Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Everyone will be with those whom he loves.*” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 8, Hadeeth No. 190]
(*Meaning in Paradise)
عَنْ أَنَسٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ رَجُلاً، سَأَلَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنِ السَّاعَةِ، فَقَالَ مَتَى السَّاعَةُ قَالَ : وَمَاذَا أَعْدَدْتَ لَهَا . قَالَ لاَ شَىْءَ إِلاَّ أَنِّي أُحِبُّ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ صلى الله عليه وسلم. فَقَالَ : أَنْتَ مَعَ مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ . قَالَ أَنَسٌ فَمَا فَرِحْنَا بِشَىْءٍ فَرَحَنَا بِقَوْلِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم : أَنْتَ مَعَ مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ . قَالَ أَنَسٌ فَأَنَا أُحِبُّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَبَا بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرَ، وَأَرْجُو أَنْ أَكُونَ مَعَهُمْ بِحُبِّي إِيَّاهُمْ، وَإِنْ لَمْ أَعْمَلْ بِمِثْلِ أَعْمَالِهِمْ
Narrated Anas (radiallahu anhu): A man asked the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) about the Hour (i.e. Day of Judgment) saying, “When will the Hour be?” He (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “And what have you prepared for it?” He (the man) said, “Nothing, except that I love Allah and His Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).” He (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “You will be with those whom you love.”
We had never been so glad as we were on hearing that saying of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) “You will be with those whom you love.”) Therefore, I love the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), Abu Bakr and Umar, and I hope that I will be with them because of my love for them though my deeds are not similar to theirs. [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 5, Hadeeth No. 37]
Imagine, this is Anas ibn Malik (radiallahu anhu) saying this. He was one of the foremost narrators of hadeeth and he was overjoyed at this narration because he could be with those better than him!
What about us? Shouldn’t we also be overjoyed? And shouldn’t we also love the Prophets (alaihimissalaam) and the Sahaabah (radiallahu anhum) so that WE can be with THEM in Paradise for eternity?
This is one of the main reasons that people should read their stories and encourage their children to do so as well, because we cannot love those we didn’t know. So we need to read about them in order to know them so that we truly love them. This way we can be with them in the highest level of Paradise for eternity.
So, how can we be of those who love others for the sake of Allah so that we can get all the virtues mentioned in the above ahadeeth?
Well, the first step is dua (supplication). We need to ASK Allah to make us from amongst these people.
And please, don’t think you are “too sinful” to ask Allah for this honour. This is a problem that many people seem to have. I wrote an article years ago on how people needed to give themselves a chance to be great in the sight of Allah. Anyone who suffers from the “I’m too sinful” syndrome should try to read it.
Apart from wanting to be those envied by the martyrs, we should also ask to be from amongst the martyrs, because along with the Prophets and Siddiq00n (the level below the Prophets), they are the cream of the crop.
عَنْ سَهْل بْنَ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ بْنِ سَهْلِ، بْنِ حُنَيْفٍ حَدَّثَهُ عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ : مَنْ سَأَلَ اللَّهَ الشَّهَادَةَ بِصِدْقٍ بَلَّغَهُ اللَّهُ مَنَازِلَ الشُّهَدَاءِ وَإِنْ مَاتَ عَلَى فِرَاشِهِ
It has been reported on the authority of Sahl ibn Abee Umamah ibn Sahl ibn Hunaif who learned the tradition from his father who (in turn) learned it from his grandfather that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: Who sought martyrdom with sincerity will be ranked by Allah among the martyrs even if he died on his bed. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 4695]
Oh, and my martyrdom and your martyrdom needs to be in Madinah, in shaa Allah.
عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم : مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ أَنْ يَمُوتَ بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَلْيَمُتْ بِهَا فَإِنِّي أَشْفَعُ لِمَنْ يَمُوتُ بِهَا
Narrated Ibn Umar (radiallahu anhuma) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Whoever is able to die in Al-Madinah, then let him die there, for I will intercede for those who die there.” [Jaami At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth No. 3917. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]
A certain someone has already done the martyrdom+Madinah double.
عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَسْلَمَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنِي شَهَادَةً فِي سَبِيلِكَ، وَاجْعَلْ مَوْتِي فِي بَلَدِ رَسُولِكَ صلى الله عليه وسلم.
Narrated Zaid bin Aslam from his father: “Umar said, O Allah! Grant me martyrdom in Your cause, and let my death be in the city of Your Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam”. [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Hadeeth No. 114]
(Umar (radiallahu anhu) ended up being killed by a Magian (fire worshipper) in Madinah.)
Another step to loving for the sake of Allah is by choosing the right type of person to love.
What do I mean by that? I mean that if we are surrounded by very sinful people, it would be hard to love them for the sake of Allah. Also, how CAN we love them for the sake of Allah when that implies that we love a person for their acts of obedience?
Besides, we’ve been ordered to choose good companions.
وَاصْبِرْ نَفْسَكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُم بِالْغَدَاةِ وَالْعَشِيِّ يُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَهُ ۖ وَلَا تَعْدُ عَيْنَاكَ عَنْهُمْ تُرِيدُ زِينَةَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَا تُطِعْ مَنْ أَغْفَلْنَا قَلْبَهُ عَن ذِكْرِنَا وَاتَّبَعَ هَوَاهُ وَكَانَ أَمْرُهُ فُرُطًا
And keep yourself (O Muhammad) patiently with those who call on their Lord (i.e. your companions who remember their Lord with glorification, praising in prayers, etc., and other righteous deeds, etc.) morning and afternoon, seeking His Face, and let not your eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp and glitter of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our Remembrance, one who follows his own lusts and whose affair (deeds) has been lost. [Surah Al-Kahf (18) : 28]
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ : الرَّجُلُ عَلَى دِينِ خَلِيلِهِ فَلْيَنْظُرْ أَحَدُكُمْ مَنْ يُخَالِلُ
Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: A man follows the religion of his friend; so each one should consider whom he makes his friend. [Sunan Abee Dawood, Hadeeth No. 4833. Graded “hasan” (good) by Al-Albani.]
What kind of people should you choose? Well, the following type might be a good idea.
:عَنْ أَسْمَاءَ بِنْتِ يَزِيدَ، أَنَّهَا سَمِعَتْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يَقُولُ : أَلاَ أُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِخِيَارِكُمْ . قَالُوا بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . قَالَ خِيَارُكُمُ الَّذِينَ إِذَا رُءُوا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ .
It was narrated from Asma bint Yazid (radiallahu anha) that she heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) say: “Shall I not tell you of the best of you?” They said: “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.” He said: “The best of you are those who, when they are seen, Allah the Mighty, the Majestic, is remembered.” [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadeeth No. 4119. Graded “sahih lighairihi” (authentic due to supporting narrations) by Al-Albani.]
I’m sorry, what’s that you just said? There aren’t any good people around any more? Well, I’m just going to let you listen to the following lecture that a sister sent me, may Allah reward her greatly, and let you decide. Be SURE to listen until the end.
Being around righteous people brings enormous benefits.
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم : إِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَلاَئِكَةً يَطُوفُونَ فِي الطُّرُقِ، يَلْتَمِسُونَ أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ، فَإِذَا وَجَدُوا قَوْمًا يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ تَنَادَوْا هَلُمُّوا إِلَى حَاجَتِكُمْ. قَالَ فَيَحُفُّونَهُمْ بِأَجْنِحَتِهِمْ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا. قَالَ فَيَسْأَلُهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ وَهْوَ أَعْلَمُ مِنْهُمْ مَا يَقُولُ عِبَادِي قَالُوا يَقُولُونَ يُسَبِّحُونَكَ، وَيُكَبِّرُونَكَ، وَيَحْمَدُونَكَ وَيُمَجِّدُونَكَ. قَالَ فَيَقُولُ هَلْ رَأَوْنِي قَالَ فَيَقُولُونَ لاَ وَاللَّهِ مَا رَأَوْكَ. قَالَ فَيَقُولُ وَكَيْفَ لَوْ رَأَوْنِي قَالَ يَقُولُونَ لَوْ رَأَوْكَ كَانُوا أَشَدَّ لَكَ عِبَادَةً، وَأَشَدَّ لَكَ تَمْجِيدًا، وَأَكْثَرَ لَكَ تَسْبِيحًا. قَالَ يَقُولُ فَمَا يَسْأَلُونِي قَالَ يَسْأَلُونَكَ الْجَنَّةَ. قَالَ يَقُولُ وَهَلْ رَأَوْهَا قَالَ يَقُولُونَ لاَ وَاللَّهِ يَا رَبِّ مَا رَأَوْهَا. قَالَ يَقُولُ فَكَيْفَ لَوْ أَنَّهُمْ رَأَوْهَا قَالَ يَقُولُونَ لَوْ أَنَّهُمْ رَأَوْهَا كَانُوا أَشَدَّ عَلَيْهَا حِرْصًا، وَأَشَدَّ لَهَا طَلَبًا، وَأَعْظَمَ فِيهَا رَغْبَةً. قَالَ فَمِمَّ يَتَعَوَّذُونَ قَالَ يَقُولُونَ مِنَ النَّارِ. قَالَ يَقُولُ وَهَلْ رَأَوْهَا قَالَ يَقُولُونَ لاَ وَاللَّهِ مَا رَأَوْهَا. قَالَ يَقُولُ فَكَيْفَ لَوْ رَأَوْهَا قَالَ يَقُولُونَ لَوْ رَأَوْهَا كَانُوا أَشَدَّ مِنْهَا فِرَارًا، وَأَشَدَّ لَهَا مَخَافَةً. قَالَ فَيَقُولُ فَأُشْهِدُكُمْ أَنِّي قَدْ غَفَرْتُ لَهُمْ. قَالَ يَقُولُ مَلَكٌ مِنَ الْمَلاَئِكَةِ فِيهِمْ فُلاَنٌ لَيْسَ مِنْهُمْ إِنَّمَا جَاءَ لِحَاجَةٍ. قَالَ هُمُ الْجُلَسَاءُ لاَ يَشْقَى بِهِمْ جَلِيسُهُمْ
Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) narrated: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Allah, the Exalted, has teams of angels who go about on the roads seeking those who remember Allah. When they find some people remembering Allah they call to one another and say, ‘Come to what you are looking for;’ and they surround them with their wings till the space between them and the lowest sky is fully covered. Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, asks them (although He is best informed about every thing): ‘What are my slave saying?’ They say: ‘They are glorifying Your Tasbih, Tahmid, Takbir, Tamjid, (i.e., they were declaring Your Perfectness, praising, remembering the Greatness and Majesty of Allah).’ He asks: ‘Have they seen Me?’ They reply, ‘No, indeed, they have not seen You.’ He asks: ‘How would they act if they were to see Me?’ Thereupon they reply: ‘If they were to see You, they would engage more earnestly in worshipping and glorifying You and would extol You more.’ He would say: ‘What do they beg of Me?’ They say, ‘They beg You for Your Jannah.’ Allah says, ‘Have they seen My Jannah?’ They say, ‘No, our Rubb.’ He says: ‘How would they act if they were to see My Jannah?’ They reply, ‘Were they to see it, they would more intensely eager for it.’ They (the angels) say, ‘They seek Your Protection.’ He asks, ‘Against what do they seek My Protection?’ They (the angels) say, ‘Our Rubb, from the fire of Hell.’ (He, the Rubb) says, ‘Have they seen the fire of Hell?’ They say, ‘No. By Your Honour, they have not seen it.’ He says: ‘How would they act if they were to see My Fire?’ They say: ‘If they were to see it, they would more earnest in being away from it and fearing it. They beg of Your forgiveness.’ He says: ‘I call you to witness that I hereby grant pardon to them and confer upon them what they ask for; and grant them protection against what they seek protection from.’ One of the angels says: ‘Our Rubb, there is amongst them such and such slave who does not belong to the assembly of those who are participating in Your remembrance. He passed by them and sat down with them.’ He says: ‘I also grant him pardon because they are the people by virtue of whom their associates will not be unfortunate’.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 8, Hadeeth No. 417]
عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ : مَثَلُ الْجَلِيسِ الصَّالِحِ وَالسَّوْءِ كَحَامِلِ الْمِسْكِ وَنَافِخِ الْكِيرِ، فَحَامِلُ الْمِسْكِ إِمَّا أَنْ يُحْذِيَكَ، وَإِمَّا أَنْ تَبْتَاعَ مِنْهُ، وَإِمَّا أَنْ تَجِدَ مِنْهُ رِيحًا طَيِّبَةً، وَنَافِخُ الْكِيرِ إِمَّا أَنْ يُحْرِقَ ثِيَابَكَ، وَإِمَّا أَنْ تَجِدَ رِيحًا خَبِيثَةً
Narrated Abu Musa (radiallahu anhu): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: ‘The example of a good pious companion and an evil one is that of a person carrying musk and another blowing a pair of bellows. The one who is carrying musk will either give you some perfume as a present, or you will buy some from him, or you will get a good smell from him, but the one who is blowing a pair of bellows will either burn your clothes or you will get a bad smell from him.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Hadeeth No. 442]
So, choose good friends because friendship for the sake of Allah lasts for eternity.
هَلْ يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا السَّاعَةَ أَن تَأْتِيَهُم بَغْتَةً وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
الْأَخِلَّاءُ يَوْمَئِذٍ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلَّا الْمُتَّقِينَ
Do they only wait for the Hour that it shall come upon them suddenly, while they perceive not? Friends on that Day will be foes one to another except Al-Muttaqoon (pious). [Surah Az-Zukhruf (43) : 66-67]
Imam Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) states in his explanation of these two verses:
“Allah says, `do these idolaters who disbelieve in the Messengers wait’
﴿إِلاَّ السَّاعَةَ أَن تَأْتِيَهُمْ بَغْتَةً وَهُمْ لاَ يَشْعُرُونَ﴾
(only for the Hour that it shall come upon them suddenly while they perceive not) means, for it is real and will inevitably come to pass, and these negligent people are unprepared for it. When it comes, it will catch them unawares, and on that Day they will feel the utmost regret when regret will not benefit them in the slightest and will not afford them any protection.
﴿الاٌّخِلاَءُ يَوْمَئِذٍ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ إِلاَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ ﴾
(Friends on that Day will be foes one to another except those who have Taqwa.) means, every friendship that exists for a purpose other than for the sake of Allah will turn to enmity on the Day of Resurrection, except for that which is for the sake of Allah, which will last forever. This is like the statement of Ibrahim, peace be upon him, to his people:
﴿إِنَّمَا اتَّخَذْتُمْ مِّن دُونِ اللَّهِ أَوْثَـناً مَّوَدَّةَ بَيْنِكُمْ فِى الْحَيَوةِ الدُّنْيَا ثُمَّ يَوْمَ الْقِيَـمَةِ يَكْفُرُ بَعْضُكُمْ بِبَعْضٍ وَيَلْعَنُ بَعْضُكُمْ بَعْضاً وَمَأْوَاكُمُ النَّارُ وَمَا لَكُمْ مِّن نَّـصِرِينَ﴾
(You have taken (for worship) idols instead of Allah. The love between you is only in the life of this world, but on the Day of Resurrection, you shall disown each other, and curse each other, and your abode will be the Fire, and you shall have no helper.) (29:25)”
Apart from dua and choosing righteous companions, we should spread the salaam (the greeting of peace) as that increases love between people.
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم : لاَ تَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ حَتَّى تُؤْمِنُوا وَلاَ تُؤْمِنُوا حَتَّى تَحَابُّوا . أَوَلاَ أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَى شَىْءٍ إِذَا فَعَلْتُمُوهُ تَحَابَبْتُمْ أَفْشُوا السَّلاَمَ بَيْنَكُمْ
Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: You will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you shall not believe until you love one another. Should I not direct you to a thing which, if you do, will foster love amongst you: Promote greeting amongst yourselves (by saying Assalamu alaikum to one another)”. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 96]
Spreading the salaam is also one of the ways of entering Paradise.
عَنْ عَبْد اللَّهِ بْنُ سَلاَمٍ، قَالَ لَمَّا قَدِمَ النَّبِيُّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ الْمَدِينَةَ انْجَفَلَ النَّاسُ قِبَلَهُ وَقِيلَ قَدْ قَدِمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَدْ قَدِمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ قَدْ قَدِمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ . ثَلاَثًا فَجِئْتُ فِي النَّاسِ لأَنْظُرَ فَلَمَّا تَبَيَّنْتُ وَجْهَهُ عَرَفْتُ أَنَّ وَجْهَهُ لَيْسَ بِوَجْهِ كَذَّابٍ فَكَانَ أَوَّلَ شَىْءٍ سَمِعْتُهُ تَكَلَّمَ بِهِ أَنْ قَالَ : يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ أَفْشُوا السَّلاَمَ وَأَطْعِمُوا الطَّعَامَ وَصِلُوا الأَرْحَامَ وَصَلُّوا بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّاسُ نِيَامٌ تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ بِسَلاَمٍ
Abdullah ibn Salam (radiallahu anhu) said: “When the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) came to Al-Madinah, the people rushed to meet him, and it was said: ‘The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) has come! The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) has come! The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) has come!’ Three times. I came with the people to see him, and when I saw his face clearly, I knew that his face was not the face of a liar. The first thing I heard him say was when he said: ‘O people! Spread (the greeting of) Salam, feed others, uphold the ties of kinship, and pray during the night when people are sleeping, and you will enter Paradise with Salam*.” [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadeeth No. 3251. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]
(*Meaning either with the greeting of peace or in security.)
Finally, if you love a person for the sake of Allah, you can tell them.
عَنِ الْمِقْدَامِ بْنِ مَعْدِيكَرِبَ، – وَقَدْ كَانَ أَدْرَكَهُ – عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ : إِذَا أَحَبَّ الرَّجُلُ أَخَاهُ فَلْيُخْبِرْهُ أَنَّهُ يُحِبُّهُ
Narrated Al-Miqdam ibn Madikarib (radiallahu anhu): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: When a man loves his brother, he should tell him that he loves him. [Sunan Abee Dawood, Hadeeth No. 5124. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]
عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، أَنَّ رَجُلاً، كَانَ عِنْدَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَمَرَّ بِهِ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي لأُحِبُّ هَذَا . فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم : أَعْلَمْتَهُ . قَالَ لاَ قَالَ : أَعْلِمْهُ . قَالَ فَلَحِقَهُ فَقَالَ إِنِّي أُحِبُّكَ فِي اللَّهِ . فَقَالَ أَحَبَّكَ الَّذِي أَحْبَبْتَنِي لَهُ
Narrated Anas ibn Malik (radiallahu anhu): A man was with the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and a man passed by him and said: Messenger of Allah! I love this man. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) then asked: Have you informed him? He replied: No. He said: Inform him. He then went to him and said: I love you for Allah’s sake. He replied: May He for Whose sake you love me love you! [Sunan Abee Dawood, Hadeeth No. 5125. Graded “hasan” (good) by Al-Albani.]
I should end this post by mentioning an important point. I’ve noticed that many people tend to announce their love for their readers in their posts. This isn’t correct.
Why not? Well, there are sure to be readers of the opposite gender and it’s not correct to say that to them.
Also, one doesn’t know who would read that post. It could be a righteous person or a sinful person or maybe even a non-Muslim. So, how can one direct this statement at everybody?
Loving for the sake of Allah is something BIG, as evidenced by the rewards that this act brings so let’s not turn it into a simple one line statement. It is so much more than that. So, my advice to people would be to tell those that they love for the sake of Allah in PRIVATE, not on a public forum.
Lastly, I would ask everyone to consider how they treat the people whom they love for the sake of Allah. Is it worthy of this statement? Do you show them the love and respect via your actions? Just something to consider.
May Allah make us of those who love for the sake of Allah.