This is why we should love the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

In this short piece, Sheikh Ibrahim Abdullah delves into the importance of loving the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad ﷺ. Loving the Messenger of Allah is, in fact, a reflection of one’s perfection of faith, as recorded in the authentic Hadith: Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“None of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father, his children and all mankind.” Sahih Al Bukhari

In a world where Muslims find themselves struggling to perform good deeds to the extent of the companions and the righteous predecessors, it is reassuring to know that by simply loving the Messenger of Allah, we can be guaranteed his closeness on the day of resurrection. Anas also narrates that:

A man once asked the Prophet ﷺ about the Hour (i.e. Day of Judgment) saying, “When will the Hour be?” The Prophet ﷺ replied, “What have you prepared for it?” The man said, “Nothing, except that I love Allah and His Apostle.” The Prophet ﷺ 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 (i.e., “You will be with those whom you love.”) Therefore, I love the Prophet, 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

One of the strongest indications of one’s love for the Messenger of Allah is found in one’s obedience to the Messenger. As Imam Shafii would say:

لَوْ كانَ حُبُّكَ صَادِقاً لأَطَعْتَهُ, إنَّ الْمُحِبَّ لِمَنْ يُحِبُّ مُطِيعُ

If your love is sincere, you would have obeyed Him.

For verily the lover for the one he loves, obeys him.

By following in the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ you will not only be proving your love for the Messenger but you will also attain the love of Allah, as mentioned in the Quran.

Say, [O Muhammad], “If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” Quran 3:31

May Allah make us sincere in our love for the Prophet ﷺ and make us of those who follow his footsteps.