The Love and Mercy in Islam

With His Infinite Love, Allah (SWT) created us with the promise of eternal happiness in Paradise, while this short worldly life serves as a divine test.

To explain this, the Prophet ﷺ said: "Allah (SWT) says: 'I have prepared for My righteous slaves that which no eye has seen, no ear has heard and it has never crossed the mind of man. All of that is reserved, besides which all that you have known is as nothing.'" Then he recited: "No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do" (Quran 32:17) (Al-Bukhari).

The love and mercy that Allah (SWT) shows towards humanity can be beautifully understood through the Quran. Indeed, all but one of its chapters begin with: "In the name of Allah, Al-Rahman (The Most Gracious), Al-Raheem (The Most Merciful)." His Beautiful Names-including The Acceptor of Repentance, The Compassionate, The Loving One, The Forbearing One, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful, The Source of Goodness, The Most Generous, and The Bestower-further remind us of His mercy, kindness, generosity, and love.

As human beings, we are naturally inclined to love, but it is the love of Allah (SWT) that can truly fulfil the deepest needs of our eternal souls. As the Prophet ﷺ said to the people of Medina: "O people! Love Allah with all your hearts for what He has given you from blessings..."

"And if you should count the favor of Allah, you could not enumerate them." (Quran 14:34)

We should be grateful to and love Allah (SWT) because He is our Creator and the source of all that we have. Many Quranic verses and hadiths emphasise the importance of loving Allah (SWT). For example, the following prayer of the Prophet ﷺ beautifully highlights the importance of love in Islam: "O my Lord! Grant me Your love, the love of those whom You love, and the love of those deeds that will make me earn Your love. And make Your love in my sight dearer than the cold water desired by a person with a raging thirst" (Al-Tirmidhi).

Love surpasses many other values and is presented as a foundation of faith. A man once asked the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: "When will the Hour (of the Day of Judgment) be established?" The Prophet replied: "What have you prepared for it?" The man said: "I haven't prepared for it very much (by way) of prayers or fasting or charitable giving, but I love God and His Apostle." The Prophet then said: "You will be with those you love." (Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Al-Tirmidhi).

"And out of His Mercy He made for you the night and the day that you may rest therein and [by day] seek from His Bounty and [that] perhaps you will be grateful." (Qur'an 28:73)

Ultimately, Allah (SWT) not only guides us through life through the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ but also provides for all living creatures. His provision is endless and includes our material needs, such as money, food, water, air, shelter, and protection.

Alongside meeting our physical needs, He (SWT) also fulfils our emotional and psychological needs. He gives us love through the love of our parents and allows us to experience joy through beautiful flowers, adorable animals, delicious food, refreshing drinks, and fruits and vegetables of countless flavours, shapes, and colours. In return for these countless blessings, He asks us to be grateful by showing love to Him and kindness towards all His creation.

"Say [O Prophet], 'If you love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you..." (Quran 3:31).

One of the defining qualities of believers is their love for Allah (SWT) and His love for them. As Allah (SWT) says, "O you who have believed, whoever of you should revert from his religion - Allah will bring forth [in place of them] a people He will love and who will love Him [who are] humble toward the believers, powerful against the disbelievers..." (Quran 5:54). True believers, therefore, are those who love Allah (SWT) above all else. This is beautifully highlighted in the Quran: "Yet there are people who make others as God's equals, loving them as only God should be loved. But those who have faith love God more than all else..." (Quran 2:165).

From this, we understand that loving, caring for, supporting, and nurturing people, animals, and plants because they are all creations of Allah (SWT) are among the strongest expressions of faith and the fundamental values upon which Muslim society is built. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ further explains that "Love for the sake of Allah is one of the greatest acts of worship and one of the best of righteous deeds." (Al-Bukhari, Muslim).

The Prophet ﷺ also said, "Allah (SWT) said: My love is a right upon those who love each other for My sake. My love is a right upon those who visit each other for My sake. My love is a right upon those who sit together for My sake. My love is a right upon those who maintain relations for My sake." (Musnad Ahmad).

Showing love and support to those around us is one of the central principles of Islam. For instance, the love between spouses, when nurtured for the sake of Allah (SWT), is beautifully described in the Quran: "And among His Signs is this: that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are Signs for those who reflect" (Quran 30:21). The love we have for our children is also reflected in the Prophet's ﷺ tenderness toward his daughter Fatimah. Whenever he saw her, he would welcome her, rise from his seat, kiss her, and take her by the hand to seat her in his own place (Al-Bukhari).

Similarly, Islam encourages us to treat our neighbours and coworkers with kindness, compassion, and consideration. Allah (SWT) says: "Worship God and join none with Him in worship, and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, the needy, the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet) and those whom your right hands possess. Verily, Allah does not like such as are proud and boastful." (Quran 4:36).

"Behold! Verily, for the friends of Allah, there is no fear, nor shall they grieve." (Quran 10:62).

The eternal rewards of choosing to love and care for those around us for the sake of Allah are beautifully explained in the teachings of Islam. Allah will ask on the Day of Judgment: "Where are those who loved each other for the sake of My glory? Today, on a day when there is no shade but Mine, I shall shade them with My shade." (Muslim). The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ further said: "There are people from the servants of Allah who are neither prophets nor martyrs, yet the prophets and martyrs will envy them on the Day of Resurrection." They are those who love one another for the sake of Allah. "Their faces will glow, and they will be upon pulpits of light. They will have no fear when the people are afraid, and they will not grieve when the people grieve." (Al-Albani).

"And We have sent you forth [O Muhammad] not but as a mercy for mankind and jinn." (Quran 21:107).

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was sent as a mercy to all of creation, and his life reflected compassion, kindness, and care for others. In speaking about our responsibility toward Allah's creation, the Prophet ﷺ said: "All creatures of Allah are His family; therefore, among His creations, Allah loves the person who treats His creatures in a good manner and takes care of their needs." (Al-Bukhari).

He ﷺ also emphasized the importance of loving our brothers and sisters in faith and humanity, saying: "None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself." (Al-Bukhari, Muslim).

"There is no creature on the earth or bird that flies with its wings but that they are communities like you." (Quran 6:38).

The traditions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ remind us that humankind has been entrusted with the care of Allah's creation. Treating animals with kindness and mercy is one of the responsibilities that comes with this trust. To illustrate this, the Prophet ﷺ told the story of a man who became extremely thirsty while traveling. He found a well, climbed down, quenched his thirst, and then came out. He noticed a dog panting and licking the mud because of severe thirst.

Realizing that the dog was suffering just as he had, the man returned to the well, filled his shoe with water, and gave the dog a drink. Allah appreciated his deed and forgave him. The Companions asked, "O Messenger of Allah! Is there a reward for us in serving the animals?" He replied: "Yes, there is a reward for serving every living creature." (Al-Bukhari).

"And [remember] when your Lord said to the angels, 'Indeed, I am going to place upon the earth a successive authority.'" (Quran 2:30).

In Islam, mankind's relationship with the earth is one of responsibility and stewardship. Muslims are encouraged not to be wasteful or extravagant in their consumption of food, clothing, water, or natural resources. The Quran reminds us: "Eat and drink from the provision of Allah and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption." (Quran 2:60). Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also encouraged people to plant and cultivate the earth, saying: "If a Muslim plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, person, or animal eats from it, it is regarded as charity for him." (Al-Bukhari, Muslim).

In conclusion, at the heart of everything is love for Allah (SWT). Those who come to know and love Him discover a deeper sweetness in faith. That love naturally extends to His creation: loving others, helping them, showing compassion, and treating them with kindness for the sake of Allah (SWT). These acts of muʿāmalāt are an essential part of living Islam, alongside our acts of ʿibādah, and they reflect the sincerity of our relationship with Allah.

As a final reminder, the Prophet ﷺ said: "If Allah loves a person, He calls Gabriel saying: 'Allah loves so-and-so; O Gabriel, love him.' Gabriel would love him, and then Gabriel would make an announcement among the residents of the Heaven, 'Allah loves so-and-so, therefore, you should love him also.' So, all the residents of the Heavens would love him, and then he is granted the pleasure of the people of the earth."

O Allah, grant me Your love, the love of those who love You, and the love of every deed that brings me closer to Your love. Ameen.