Friday sermon: Love of Allah completes one's faith

When the love of Allah and his Prophet fills one's heart and exceeds one's love of oneself, then faith is complete, worshippers will be told today.

"Allah, the Almighty, has linked the love for Him with the love for His Messenger Mohammed," says today's sermon. A verse from the Quran says: "Say, [O Mohammed], 'If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins.'"

The Prophet stressed the connection between his love and true faith by saying: "None of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father, his children and all mankind." This love was illustrated by the Prophet's companions. The first Caliph Abu Bakr cried with joy when he learnt he would accompany the Prophet during hijra (immigration from Mecca to Medina).

Anas Ibn Malik reported that a person came to the Prophet and asked: "When would be the Last Hour?" The Prophet replied: "What preparation have you made for the Last Hour?"

The man said "the love of Allah and of His Messenger [is my only preparation]", to which the Prophet replied: "You would be along with one whom you love."

Anas Ibn Malik said: "Nothing pleased us more ... I love Allah and His Messenger ... and I hope I would be along with them although I have not acted like them."

hdajani@thenational.ae