"I Love You"
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Nothing to worry about ... This is not about the malignant 'I Love You' virus that will erase the data on your hard disk, nor is it about the superficial dialogs that actors exchange in soap operas bringing tears to those sensitive viewers.
For decades, linguists have documented the changing meanings of certain expressions which are intimately related to a particular culture, period of time, heritage, civilization, tradition, and geographic location. Not only has the expression 'I Love You' lost its value in today's world. Its true significance has been simplified and denigrated to the sensational way it is printed in greeting cards, or heard in songs, or generally portrayed in our fast and furious pop culture.
| He (Muhammad pbuh) advised us to say, "I love you not but for the sake of Allah." Hadith |
However, it would not take much to reflect upon the Islamic teachings to bring this tiny phrase back to its proper context. Recalling Prophet Muhammad's 
instruction to us not to shy away from saying 'I Love You For the Sake of God' to those God-loving individuals whom we feel close to, is just another reminder of the importance of communicating truthful feelings in a most honorable and meaningful way.
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And (moreover) He has put affection between their hearts. Even if you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have produced that affection, but Allah hath done it: for He is Exalted in might, Wise. [Quran 8:63 ] |
This short expression encompasses so many other divine values such as the understanding that an individual must always love for others what he or she loves for him or herself. In addition, by consciously carrying this prophetic instruction, one's love for God and his prophet supercedes any love for others, and the inhibition of being misunderstood for saying it, even amongst people of the same gender, automatically disappears.
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By keeping our Love God centric, it will always remind us of our true responsibility towards the recipient of our love, be it our parents, spouses, children, family, friends, neighbors and humanity.
May God instill in us the love of humanity and make us remember the Sunnah of conveying our feelings to our family, friends and all those who are dear to us. And may He restore the meaning of this tiny expression to the level and respect it deserves.
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Older Comments:
AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
Indeed Yahya, there were most definitely learned and great scholars who came after the period of salaf as-saliheen. I am just a little bit hesitant to discuss some of them at Islamicity because everytime I do, I am criticized really badly and people call me names and stuff so - like last time I started discussing Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali (ra), and the books he wrote and what he talekd about. Honestly right away, a swarm of people said I was doing shirk and kufr and stuf, so after that I just said they are not worth it.
Otherwise, I just want to go on further about what I started talking about. In the area of Jurispridence (Fiqh), is where Abu Hanifah, Muhammad Shafi'e, Malik and Ahmed Hanbal developed schools of thought that respect each others differences of opinion on specific legal rulings. In the area of spiritual leadership, as we look at the Sufi orders of the world, of all 42 orders in the world, 40 of them trace their spiritual connection to Rasool-Allah (saaw) through Amir Al-Mu'mineen Ali (as). The other two remaining orders first go through Hadrat Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (ra) and then to Ali (as) which reaches back to Rasool-Allah (saaw). Here's a great hadith for you to think about dear Yahya:
Amir Al-Mu'mineen Sayyidina Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (r.a) said:
"I saw the Messenger of Allah (sawawaws) pitch a tent in which he placed Ali, Fatima, Hasan, and Husayn. He (sawawaws) then declared: O Muslims, I am at war against anyone who wars against the people of this tent, and am at peace with those who show peace toward them. I am a friend to those who befriend them. He who shows love toward them shall be one of a happy ancestry and good birth. Nor would anyone hate them except that he be of miserable ancestry and evil birth."
Abu Jafar Ahmad al-Muhibb AL-TABARI, Al-Riyad al-nadira (Cairo, n.d.), II, 199
For other versions of this tradition, see Murtada al-Husayni al-Fayruzabadi, Fadail al-khamsa fi sihah al-sitta (Najaf, 1384), p. 252.
Otherwise, I just want to go on further about what I started talking about. In the area of Jurispridence (Fiqh), is where Abu Hanifah, Muhammad Shafi'e, Malik and Ahmed Hanbal developed schools of thought that respect each others differences of opinion on specific legal rulings. In the area of spiritual leadership, as we look at the Sufi orders of the world, of all 42 orders in the world, 40 of them trace their spiritual connection to Rasool-Allah (saaw) through Amir Al-Mu'mineen Ali (as). The other two remaining orders first go through Hadrat Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (ra) and then to Ali (as) which reaches back to Rasool-Allah (saaw). Here's a great hadith for you to think about dear Yahya:
Amir Al-Mu'mineen Sayyidina Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (r.a) said:
"I saw the Messenger of Allah (sawawaws) pitch a tent in which he placed Ali, Fatima, Hasan, and Husayn. He (sawawaws) then declared: O Muslims, I am at war against anyone who wars against the people of this tent, and am at peace with those who show peace toward them. I am a friend to those who befriend them. He who shows love toward them shall be one of a happy ancestry and good birth. Nor would anyone hate them except that he be of miserable ancestry and evil birth."
Abu Jafar Ahmad al-Muhibb AL-TABARI, Al-Riyad al-nadira (Cairo, n.d.), II, 199
For other versions of this tradition, see Murtada al-Husayni al-Fayruzabadi, Fadail al-khamsa fi sihah al-sitta (Najaf, 1384), p. 252.
2005-02-20
AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
Assalaamu'Alaiykum Yahya,
Imam Malik (ra), actually did not follow a school of jurisprudence at his time because there were no schools to follow, as the Qur'an and Sunnah were not expounded upon in a particular branch of science yet for people to contemplate upon and explain to the masses. You see, this branch of explaining and understanding hadiths is done by certain people who are known as Muhaddiths, and then tehre were also people who collected hadith's and preserved their chains of transmission. You see I say this because, every single school of thought in the Ahl' as-Sunnah (People of the Sunnah), each Imam who lead these schools, Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Hanbal, Imam Malik, and Imam Shafi'e, each one of them collected hadith's and preserved them into their books. Now each one of these Imams made a collection of what are known as "special hadiths" in each one of their books, which is known as "MUSNAD." Each Imam had a Musnad, and further to that, each Imam collected thousands upon thousands of hadiths and preserved their transmission. Now the compilation of books known as Bukhari and Muslim were compiled by Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim, clearly that is why they are named after them. What I am saying is, there are thousands of sahih hadith and there are other sahih books other than Bukhari and Muslim. So when we Sunnis refer to the ahadith, we must realize that we wouldn't even be reading these hadith's and be able to believe them with sound transmission if not for Imam's such as Imam Malik.
Imam Malik had the school of jurisprudence of Imam Abu Hanifa available to him, known as the Hanafi school of jurisprudence. In fact all the schools learned from what Imam Abu Hanifah expounded upon. The Prophet (saaw) also foretold the coming of a one hanifa after him.
As for the Salaf as-Saliheen (righteous predecessors) age, it ended about 200 years or so after the Prophet (saaw). Yes I totally knew where you were going with that. Wassalaam.
Imam Malik (ra), actually did not follow a school of jurisprudence at his time because there were no schools to follow, as the Qur'an and Sunnah were not expounded upon in a particular branch of science yet for people to contemplate upon and explain to the masses. You see, this branch of explaining and understanding hadiths is done by certain people who are known as Muhaddiths, and then tehre were also people who collected hadith's and preserved their chains of transmission. You see I say this because, every single school of thought in the Ahl' as-Sunnah (People of the Sunnah), each Imam who lead these schools, Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Hanbal, Imam Malik, and Imam Shafi'e, each one of them collected hadith's and preserved them into their books. Now each one of these Imams made a collection of what are known as "special hadiths" in each one of their books, which is known as "MUSNAD." Each Imam had a Musnad, and further to that, each Imam collected thousands upon thousands of hadiths and preserved their transmission. Now the compilation of books known as Bukhari and Muslim were compiled by Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim, clearly that is why they are named after them. What I am saying is, there are thousands of sahih hadith and there are other sahih books other than Bukhari and Muslim. So when we Sunnis refer to the ahadith, we must realize that we wouldn't even be reading these hadith's and be able to believe them with sound transmission if not for Imam's such as Imam Malik.
Imam Malik had the school of jurisprudence of Imam Abu Hanifa available to him, known as the Hanafi school of jurisprudence. In fact all the schools learned from what Imam Abu Hanifah expounded upon. The Prophet (saaw) also foretold the coming of a one hanifa after him.
As for the Salaf as-Saliheen (righteous predecessors) age, it ended about 200 years or so after the Prophet (saaw). Yes I totally knew where you were going with that. Wassalaam.
2005-02-19
YAHYA BERGUM FROM USA said:
For those who have some interest in propagating family love, perhaps consider www.icmarriage.com - barakatuhu. Lihub billah.
2005-02-18
YAHYA BERGUM FROM USA said:
Wa'alaikum assalam brother Akbar Khan. Jazak Allah kheir.
This might seem unduly technical for an article titled 'I love you' but what body of jurisprudence would have been available to Imam Malik (ra) in 95 H? I apologize for at times surely seeming too clever for my own good, but the volume in question might seem to be what is commonly known as ahadith. Is that what you meant?
To me, heeding the findings of well-respected scholars simply seems to be a prudent course of action. Surely, however, there were fine and practically innumerable contributions make after the time of "rightous predecessors" had at some point come to a close. I fully imagine you can see where I'm headed with this, which is hopefully in the proper direction, let me finish by simply saying: I love you, for the sake of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. (Insha'Allah!)
This might seem unduly technical for an article titled 'I love you' but what body of jurisprudence would have been available to Imam Malik (ra) in 95 H? I apologize for at times surely seeming too clever for my own good, but the volume in question might seem to be what is commonly known as ahadith. Is that what you meant?
To me, heeding the findings of well-respected scholars simply seems to be a prudent course of action. Surely, however, there were fine and practically innumerable contributions make after the time of "rightous predecessors" had at some point come to a close. I fully imagine you can see where I'm headed with this, which is hopefully in the proper direction, let me finish by simply saying: I love you, for the sake of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. (Insha'Allah!)
2005-02-17
AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
Assalaamu'Alaiykum brother Yahya Bergum. Jazakum-Allah Khairun for your efforts in expressing the true meaning of Islam - we all must work sincerely in seeking to be enveloped in our every aspect of life loving Allah and His beloved (habibi) Muhammad sal' Allahu 'alaiyhi wa salam.
To further clarify what does make one a Sufi, is to understand what the great scholars of Islam in the past who knew much more than us have said. Take for example, Imam Malik (ra) who is the Imam of the Maliki school of Islamic Jurisprudence...we are so quick to decide what is right and what is wrong in Islam, but Imam Malik, if you look at what his life was about, it took him over 40 YEARS to compile one single book of hadiths related to the Prophet (saaw). He memorized every single one of the hadiths he collected, and later spent a considerable part of his life with very simple means and living. He fasted regularly every single week and taught us a great deal. The knowledge which this great Imam had, is something which can be described by what his very words are. And do not forget that Imam Malik was one of the Tabi'een, or one of those Muslims who lived close to the time after the Prophet (saaw), born in 95 H (95 years after the Hijrah) and are rightfully called, "rightous predecessors." So, here is what Imam Malik had to say:
"man tassawaffa wa lam yatafaqah faqad tazandaqa wa man tafaqaha wa lam yatsawwaf faqad fasadat, wa man tafaqaha wa tassawafa faqad tahaqqaq."
which means, " "whoever studied tasawwuf (Ihsaan or perfection of faith) without fiqh (Islamic laws of jurisprudence and the Shari'ah which are Islamic pillars) is a heretic and whoever studied fiqh without tasawwuf is corrupted; and whoever studied tasawwuf and fiqh together will find the Truth and Reality of Islam."
So to sum up what Imam Malik stated, to taste the sweetness of faith, one cannot just become a Sufi, he/she must uphold the Shari'a to find the haqq of belief, and vice versa.
To further clarify what does make one a Sufi, is to understand what the great scholars of Islam in the past who knew much more than us have said. Take for example, Imam Malik (ra) who is the Imam of the Maliki school of Islamic Jurisprudence...we are so quick to decide what is right and what is wrong in Islam, but Imam Malik, if you look at what his life was about, it took him over 40 YEARS to compile one single book of hadiths related to the Prophet (saaw). He memorized every single one of the hadiths he collected, and later spent a considerable part of his life with very simple means and living. He fasted regularly every single week and taught us a great deal. The knowledge which this great Imam had, is something which can be described by what his very words are. And do not forget that Imam Malik was one of the Tabi'een, or one of those Muslims who lived close to the time after the Prophet (saaw), born in 95 H (95 years after the Hijrah) and are rightfully called, "rightous predecessors." So, here is what Imam Malik had to say:
"man tassawaffa wa lam yatafaqah faqad tazandaqa wa man tafaqaha wa lam yatsawwaf faqad fasadat, wa man tafaqaha wa tassawafa faqad tahaqqaq."
which means, " "whoever studied tasawwuf (Ihsaan or perfection of faith) without fiqh (Islamic laws of jurisprudence and the Shari'ah which are Islamic pillars) is a heretic and whoever studied fiqh without tasawwuf is corrupted; and whoever studied tasawwuf and fiqh together will find the Truth and Reality of Islam."
So to sum up what Imam Malik stated, to taste the sweetness of faith, one cannot just become a Sufi, he/she must uphold the Shari'a to find the haqq of belief, and vice versa.
2005-02-16
YAHYA BERGUM FROM USA said:
My thanks to Allah for your kindness, Akbar Khan. Don't take this the wrong way but: I love you for Allah's sake.
On another note, Quran 2:235 seems to concern romantic notions with respect to widows. All the same, I really like what the verse seems to say in general about men's fascination with women. Taken slightly out of context and from two different translations, "Allah knows that ye cherish them in your hearts" "but do not give them a promise in secret unless you speak in a lawful manner" - with respect to widows. A web search on Islamic courtship turned up much about virgins (and some about divorcees) but little about the benefits of courting widows.
Also, I think gentle reminders such as "Allah knows you cherish them" and "speak in a lawful manner" fit in rather nicely with articles about love, featured shortly before Valentine's Day. Naturally, "Allah knows what is in your minds, therefore beware of Him." But, thankfully, "Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Forbearing."
On another note, Quran 2:235 seems to concern romantic notions with respect to widows. All the same, I really like what the verse seems to say in general about men's fascination with women. Taken slightly out of context and from two different translations, "Allah knows that ye cherish them in your hearts" "but do not give them a promise in secret unless you speak in a lawful manner" - with respect to widows. A web search on Islamic courtship turned up much about virgins (and some about divorcees) but little about the benefits of courting widows.
Also, I think gentle reminders such as "Allah knows you cherish them" and "speak in a lawful manner" fit in rather nicely with articles about love, featured shortly before Valentine's Day. Naturally, "Allah knows what is in your minds, therefore beware of Him." But, thankfully, "Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Forbearing."
2005-02-15
G.ARJUMAND FROM UK said:
Assalaamu 'Alaikum, This article is very powerful - well i found it powerful anyway, after reading it, i realised how deeply i love Allah SWT, a lot deeper than i could ever imagine. I felt like going to all my loved ones and say 'I love you for the sake of Allah SWT'. I really couldn't hate anyone after reading this...May Allah SWT guide us all to the right path and give us enough strength to always go against the shaytaan, and follow islam and the sunnah of our beloved prophet Muhammad SAW. Ameen. I very good article. Wassalaamu 'Alaikum.
2005-02-12
AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
You are right Yahya Bergum, it does not make you a Sufi to utter those words "I love you for teh sake of God."
It is Muhabbah, and it means Love in Arabic - it is not Barbara.
It is Muhabbah, and it means Love in Arabic - it is not Barbara.
2005-02-12
YAHYA BERGUM FROM USA said:
Saying 'I LOVE YOU FOR THE SAKE OF GOD' does not mean you are Sufi. Of course it could be a symptom. Lihub billah!
(Barbara who?)
(Barbara who?)
2005-02-11
AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
I agree with this article, especially the part where it states that a person's love for Allah and his Prophet Muhammad (saaw) should supercede love for anything or anyone else. This is a primary basis of Ahl' As-Sunnah Aqeedah. I just think that this article should be explained in more detail in describing the levels of Muhabbah. This would be a great way to introduce the Love that is developed within people when they embrace the many Ways of Islam, all the ways different people take in Islam should always reach a common destination, and that is described through their spiritual stations of Love.
2005-02-10
ABDULFATAI ABIOLA ADEBISI FROM NIGERIA said:
keep up the jihad, may almighty ALLAH protect HIS religion and the entire muslim ummah.
2004-03-13
AFOLABI TAOFEEK ADEMOLA FROM NIGERIA said:
THIS IS A WONDERFUL COMMENT COMMING AT THE RIGHT TIME FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THE REAL MEANING OF "I LOVE YOU".WHICH THEY HAVE TURNED UPSIDE DOWN.PLEASE KEEP THE FLAG OF ISLAM HIGH AS YOU KEEP BRINGING NEW TOPIC THAT WILL CHANGE PEOPLE AWAY FROM BAD TO GOOD. MA SALAM
2004-03-10
NURADEEN FROM NIGERIA said:
yes the article portray what is happening now in muslim umma.we are enjoying your article thanks.
2004-02-17
A.R FROM U.K said:
barbara tilley........
This is not a free zone to drop the litter of your love and thinkings. Come with your pious mind and pious heart, you will find respect....after respect and respect........... respect even hereafter(with your good deeds)
waAAda Allahi haqqan.
Want to know the meaning of it ? Just give yourself a little trouble to find it in Quran Phonetic Search and everything will be in front of you.
This is not a free zone to drop the litter of your love and thinkings. Come with your pious mind and pious heart, you will find respect....after respect and respect........... respect even hereafter(with your good deeds)
waAAda Allahi haqqan.
Want to know the meaning of it ? Just give yourself a little trouble to find it in Quran Phonetic Search and everything will be in front of you.
2004-02-17
JENNIFER ALLEN FROM MALAYSIA said:
the meaning of 'i love you' in islam is so wonderful. i'm very agree with all the information that given in this site.we love something with many reasons for example for ourself,family,friends or lover. but the meaning to love our religion and Allah swt.,the one and only purpose is to follow all the rules that Allah swt. have been given for us and accept it with all our heart. love Allah...love Allah...love Allah...allahu akhbar!!!
2004-02-17
KHALID FROM INDIA said:
Assalamulaikom
Its great to know,what Islam say about Love.I m Perfectly Agree with This Article.
Well.I think ,The whole concept of Excistence is Only for the LOVE.As Allah Almighy Created us with HIs Both hands.and created facilitate Mankind bu creating Wonders Creatures..which is Beyond the scope of Mankind.AS It all Shows LOVE and concerend of Almighty ALLAh for the Mankind and His Creature.And Allag Command us To Loce my Creature and ACt according to My Commandment.,we will succeed.
So,unless and until the Mankind dont have the feeling of Love He can't b succeed,Nor In worldly life or Hereafter.
May Allah Almighty Grant the Mercy of Understanding True LOVE Of ALLAh.
Allahhafiz
Its great to know,what Islam say about Love.I m Perfectly Agree with This Article.
Well.I think ,The whole concept of Excistence is Only for the LOVE.As Allah Almighy Created us with HIs Both hands.and created facilitate Mankind bu creating Wonders Creatures..which is Beyond the scope of Mankind.AS It all Shows LOVE and concerend of Almighty ALLAh for the Mankind and His Creature.And Allag Command us To Loce my Creature and ACt according to My Commandment.,we will succeed.
So,unless and until the Mankind dont have the feeling of Love He can't b succeed,Nor In worldly life or Hereafter.
May Allah Almighty Grant the Mercy of Understanding True LOVE Of ALLAh.
Allahhafiz
2004-02-16
LUBNA SARWATH MUHAMMAD FROM HYDERABAD, INDIA said:
The luv that we experience when we are luving someone with Allah as witness and for the pure and simple reason that his/her Lord and mine are the same and knows both our feelings, and yes, just for the sake of Allah; then, this luv is much more stronger and powerful than when the factor of Allah is absent or removed from between the two..
the article is simple, short and to the point for those that heed.. wassalam..
the article is simple, short and to the point for those that heed.. wassalam..
2004-02-16
BARBARA TILLEY FROM UNITED STATES CHILE ALASKA CHICAGO KANSAS ? said:
i love you too very much and miss you try not to think about it.
sincerly your's always
genuine barbara tilley
sincerly your's always
genuine barbara tilley
2004-02-15
YAHYA BERGUM FROM USA said:
Lihub billah (I love you for Allah's sake).
2004-02-14
OMAR FROM TANZANIA said:
MUHAMMAD(S.A.W) tolds us evrything in our religion,ISLAM,the true religon before ALLAH.The true meaning of that wordsis as the PROPHET elaborated and nothing else.The falase meaning leads people to azzinaa.
MAY ALLAH BLESS US.ISLAM IS THE ONLY WAY OF LIFE.
YOURS IN ISLAM
OMAR,P.O.BOX 33411,DAR ES SALAAM ,TANZANIA
MAY ALLAH BLESS US.ISLAM IS THE ONLY WAY OF LIFE.
YOURS IN ISLAM
OMAR,P.O.BOX 33411,DAR ES SALAAM ,TANZANIA
2004-02-14
