Indeed, Allah showers His blessings upon the Prophet, and His angels pray for him.
O believers! Invoke Allah’s blessings upon him,
Invoke Allah’s blessings upon him, and salute him with worthy greetings of peace.
All praise is due to Allah for the blessing of Islam and for sending us our Prophet Muhammad—peace and blessings be upon him and his family.
He faithfully conveyed to us the message of Allah, the Most Glorified and Exalted.
By following his guidance, we became the best of nations.
But can we truly follow our beloved Prophet—peace be upon him—without loving him?
Or is mere adherence to his teachings enough for us to claim that we truly love him—peace and blessings be upon him and his family?
Allah Almighty addresses our Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—in the Qur’an:
Say, O Prophet, “If you sincerely love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you” (Qur’an 3:31).
True love for the Prophet—peace be upon him—is inseparable from following his guidance.
Yet, some believe that love is solely about adherence.
However, following him is but one station among many on the journey of love,
that attests to the love for our Prophet (peace be upon him).
O Allah, send blessings upon our master Muhammad in proportion to Your love for him.
O Allah, send blessings upon our master Muhammad in proportion to Your care for him.
Dalil Al-Khayrāt (The Guide to Goodness)
Episode 16
Love and Devotion: Following the Prophet’s Path (PBUH)
My heart nearly soars out of the intensity of my longing,
for the beloved whose love dwells deep within my soul.
His love rests in the innermost depths of my being.
When, oh when, will the master draw nearer to us on his journey?
When, oh when, will the master draw nearer to us on his journey?
We visit the best of creation, the chosen one—Taha, the bearer of glad tidings.
The chosen one—Taha, the bearer of glad tidings.
Some scholars have said, love consists of varying levels.
The lowest level of love is to avoid prohibitions and fulfill commands.
This is the station of obedience.
The middle level of love is when both the heart and tongue are constantly engaged in the remembrance of the beloved.
It is to remember the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—
The highest level of love is one that transcends description, beyond what words can express or gestures can indicate.
This is the case of the true lovers.
At its lowest level, love manifests in obedience.
Yet, many people stop at this level,
believing that love for the Prophet—peace be upon him—
is merely about following his commands.
Where there is reverence, there is love—rooted in the knowledge of Allah and His Messenger.
With this foundation, following the Prophet naturally flows without conscious effort.
It arises without desire or deliberate intention.
It happens without the need for constant remembrance of the beloved.
You are drawn to him—when you hear his name, your body shivers.
Yet, the one who focuses solely on outward adherence
concerns themselves only with appearances.
This marks the beginning of hypocrisy.
The essence of faith begins within the heart, not in outward form.
This is why the disbelievers refrained from following the chosen Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—because faith had not yet entered their hearts.
so their inner selves did not inspire outward actions.
Thus, they hesitated to follow him.
Not everyone who follows the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—truly loves him.
For being a Muslim comes with certain obligations.
It is natural for a Muslim to grow a beard,
to cover their ‘awrah (parts of the body that must be concealed),
but do these actions stem from love?
How can these actions be performed with love?
By loving the one who conveyed these teachings to us.
The one who taught the importance of covering oneself (Satr),
and the significance of prayer.
The bond between Allah and His servant,
and the relationship between the servant and our master Muhammad—peace and blessings be upon him—is a relationship of love.
This is the essence of the connection.
Separating following the Prophet from loving him
is a misguided innovation of our time.
Love manifests in following the Prophet—
and following is the proof of love.
Lady Khadijah—may Allah be pleased with her—entered Paradise
only through her profound love for the Messenger of Allah.
She ascended to the highest companionship,
worshipping Allah out of love for the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—
without having performed the obligatory prayers, fasting, or other acts of worship.
Yet Allah honored her, sending the arch Angel Jibreel to convey His peace to her.
“O Khadijah, indeed Allah sends you peace, and Jibreel sends you peace.”
She replied, “Our Lord is peace, and peace is from Him. Peace be upon Jibreel, and upon him be blessings and peace.”
Allah gives you glad tidings of a house in Paradise made of pearls, with neither noise nor fatigue within it.
What earned her this lofty station?
It was none other than her deep love for the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him.
The obligatory prayer had not yet been prescribed,
for the night of ‘Isra and Mi'raj took place in the Year of Sorrow—
the year Lady Khadijah—may Allah be pleased with her—passed away.
O Allah, send blessings upon our master Muhammad, as many times as prayers have been offered upon him.
O Allah, send blessings upon our master Muhammad, multiplied beyond every prayer said upon him.
O Allah, send blessings upon our Master Muhammad, in a manner befitting his true rank and station.
O Allah, send blessings upon our Master Muhammad, as You love and are pleased with him.
First, we must love him.
With love, following the Prophet becomes easier and more natural.
Actions alone are not sufficient proof of love—a person may perform an action without truly loving it.
Consider this simple question: Not everyone who prays loves prayer.
Not everyone who fasts during Ramadan loves fasting.
Even those who perform Hajj may not necessarily love the journey.
But how can true love be measured?
When does it become evident?
It reveals itself when you lose what you love.
When you miss the congregational prayer,
how do you feel at that moment?
That is the true measure of love.
سيدنا محمد صلى الله وسلم عليه وعلى آله
Our master Muhammad—peace and blessings be upon him and his family—
when you connect with him through love,
following him becomes a natural outcome.
This love manifests in your actions, thoughts, and every limb.
سيدنا ذو قوة صلى الله وسلم عليه وآله
Our master, the one of strength (peace and blessings be upon him and his family).
سيدنا ذو حرمة صلى الله وسلم عليه وعلى آله
Our master, the one of dignity (peace and blessings be upon him and his family).
The one who combines both love and following,
the one who merges devotion with emulation,
is the one who treads the straight and rightful path.
The path that is sought and required.
How can such love be recognized? Through abundant remembrance.
A person only remembers what they truly love.
For remembrance springs from the depths of love.
من أحب شيئًا، أكثر من ذِكره
ومن ذلك الإكثار من ذِكر رسول الله، فكل شيء نحبه نتحدث عنه
لذلك، كلما كانت الفرصة متاحة لنا، نتحدث عنه
Invoking salawat upon the Prophet is more than an expression of love—
it is a testimony of devotion. Whoever claims to follow him must prove this through action.
Because true love is reflected in frequent remembrance of the beloved, in every possible way.
It is not about adopting a specific method of gathering or remembrance.
Create your own way—what matters is that your heart is engaged.
But how can we know that one truly loves him?
Mention him frequently, so your love is heard and felt.
That is why when someone enters a town
and hears the people invoking salawat upon
the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him
they recognize the love filling the hearts.
Why do these people remember him so often? Because they love him.
O Lord, send blessings and peace forever and always
upon the Prophet and all of his family.
Whoever trades the delayed reward of the Hereafter for the fleeting gains of this world—
will find nothing but loss in his transaction.
A true sign of loving the Prophet is following him. As Allah says: Say, O Prophet, “If you sincerely love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you” (Qur’an 3:31).
Claiming love is not the same as embodying it.
As the poet said, "Everyone claims to have a connection with Layla, but Layla does not acknowledge their connection."
When love is sincere in the heart,
it manifests in the servant’s actions.
The limbs follow where the heart leads.
After the heart is touched by true love,
it drives the servant to prioritize the obedience of the beloved over the obedience of their own desires.
جاء في القرآن: "إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ". وهذا من أروع الأمور.
هو لا يقول، أطِيعوني فحسب! بل قال: إن كنتم تحبون الله، اتبعوني
يحببكم الله. هو يقول: إن كنتم تحبون الله
هذه دعوة لاستشعار كمال الله. لم يقل فقط، أطِيعوني
الشخص قد يطيع أوامر ضابط الشرطة عندما يوقفنا ونقول، حسناً،
لن أسرع بعد الآن. لكن ليس شرطأ أن نقول ذلك عن حب!
الحب شيء مختلف. نحن نتبع بدافع الحب ورغبة حقيقية
في السعي وراء ما سعى إليه
وهو يدعونا لاستشعار مفهوم وحدانية الله قبل أي شيء.
The love for the Prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him) was not confined to merely following him.
Rather, following him was a natural outcome of that love.
Animals would cling to his cloak,
and trees would bend their branches toward him (صلى الله عليه وسلم) as he passed by.
This is a pure, instinctive love that Allah, Exalted be He, instilled in them, without obligation,
without commands, without anything else.
Why did the Prophet (PBUH) say, "If a man loves his brother, he should tell him that he loves him"?
It means he should openly express: "I love you."
"I love you for the sake of Allah."
This expression is necessary—a declaration of sincere affection.
So how can we not say with all honesty: "I love you, O Messenger of Allah"?
If the Prophet (PBUH) instructed us to express love to one another,
then how much more deserving is he (PBUH) of hearing these words from us?
O Allah, send Your blessings upon our master Muhammad and upon the family of our master Muhammad,
as You sent blessings upon our master Ibrahim and upon the family of our master Ibrahim in the worlds. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.
And send blessings, O Allah, upon our master Muhammad and upon the family of our master Muhammad,
as often as those who remember him do,
and even when those who are heedless have forgotten to remember him.
O Allah, send blessings upon our master Muhammad and upon the family of our master Muhammad.
Some may argue that prioritizing the love for the Prophet before following the commandments
justifies people's transgressions and indulgence in sins.
They claim that it is better to adhere strictly to commands and prohibitions without invoking love,
to prevent the dilution of religion.
Another point of contention regarding following is
the observation that some display signs of love for our master Muhammad (PBUH) despite committing faults.
They say: “You claim that love leads to following,
but these sinners do not follow him in the matters where they disobey Allah and His Messenger.”
An example of this is Nu’ayman or Ibn Nu’ayman, who drank alcohol
once, twice, three times, and even four times — and was flogged each time.
One of the Companions cursed him for this.
The Prophet (PBUH) prohibited such cursing,
and rebuked the Companion, saying:
“He loves Allah and His Messenger.”
Therefore, when we say that someone loves Allah but disobeys the Prophet (PBUH),
such cases indeed existed during the Prophet's time.
The Prophet (PBUH) acknowledged this,
establishing rules and manners to deal with such individuals.
He addressed the Companions who reproached the sinner and silenced them,
saying: “Leave him.”
Meaning, he prohibited them from disparaging him.
He affirmed: “He loves Allah and His Messenger.”
If we encounter someone who errors while loving the Prophet (PBUH),
what should we say to them?
Nothing.
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Leave him.”
As long as he knows Allah and His Messenger (PBUH),
he will increase in following.
In reality, those who claim
that love is solely about obedience have been deprived of a great blessing.
Perhaps one of them is listening now and thinking:
“Are you belittling the importance of following? Who said that?”
Following is undoubtedly a divine command and the command of His Messenger (PBUH).
We must say: “We hear and obey.”
But love transcends that.
When a man came and asked, “O Messenger of Allah, when is the Hour (i.e. Day of Judgement)?”
You are inquiring about the Hour—
a time of reckoning,
when people will be judged according to their deeds,
and assigned either to Paradise or Hell.
What have you prepared for it?
The man fell silent.
What does his silence signify?
It shows he was humbled,
reflecting deeply.
Then he said, “By Allah, I have not prepared for it with much prayer or fasting,
except that I love Allah and His Messenger.”
The Prophet (PBUH) responded:
“Rejoice!
You will be with those whom you love.”
Notice that he acknowledged, “I have not prepared for it with much prayer or fasting.”
This indicates that he fulfilled the obligatory prayers
and performed voluntary acts to the best of his ability.
Thus, love's essential condition
is the fulfillment of obligatory duties.
As for Sunnah practices, they are performed according to one’s capacity.
If someone loves while upholding the obligatory acts,
he is truly honored.
However, if one claims to love while neglecting the obligatory duties,
he is not truly among the people of love—
rather, this is merely a form of self-deception.
هذا هو الإسلام، ولذلك كان المسلمون في الماضي أهل عِز في الأرض
منصورون في مواطن كثيرة
وهذا سببه محبتهم وارتباطهم به صلي الله عليه وسلم
والسبب الوحيد الذي يجعل المسلمين في زماننا هذا متخاذلين
هو ابتعادهم عنه صلي الله عليه وسلم
وعن سنته، وعن أخلاقه، وعن ارتباطهم به صلي الله عليه وسلم.
Allah, Glorified and Exalted, says: “And keep in mind that Allah’s Messenger is still in your midst” (Qur’an 49: 7).
“And whoever Allah does not bless with light will have no light!” (Qur’an 24: 40).
The light by which the believers perceive truth stems from the light of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH).
There is no path to this light except through attachment to its bearer, the Prophet (PBUH).
Just as the Companions of the beloved (PBUH) did.
If one of us becomes attached—
in this time—
just as the Prophet’s Companions attached themselves to him,
we would see the Prophet (PBUH) as they saw him.
For the Prophet (PBUH) remains unchanged across time.
If you love him, he will love you more than you love him.
He loves his Ummah more than we love him.
In truth, his love for us surpasses our love for him—
many times over.
All he desires from us
is that he finds a place in our hearts.
When we remember him in our hearts, he remembers us (PBUH).
O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad.
O Allah, send blessings and peace upon him.
O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad.
O Allah, send blessings and peace upon him.
If not for you, O adornment of existence,
my life and existence would not have been pleasant.
Nor would I have recited melodiously in my prayers.
Neither my bowing nor my prostration.
O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad.
O Allah, send blessings and peace upon him.
O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad.
O Allah, send blessings and peace upon him.
If the love stemming from knowing the Messenger (PBUH) is sincere,
then following him will naturally follow.
For the lover is always obedient to the one they love.
This was evident in the relationship between the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, and our beloved Prophet (PBUH).
They loved him deeply, and as a result, they became the best in following his example (PBUH).
A Companion is defined as a person who met the Prophet (PBUH) during his lifetime—
as a believer— and died upon faith.
Whether they saw him or not,
they are still considered a Companion.
For example, Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum, who was blind and never saw the Prophet (PBUH),
yet he is counted among the Companions.
The Companions hold a unique status as the first chain of transmission
for the Hadith of the Prophet (PBUH) and the Qur’an.
They were the ones who conveyed the Qur’an and Sunnah directly from the Prophet (PBUH).
After the Prophet (PBUH), they are the primary source of transmission.
This is why they are specifically honored with the phrase: May Allah be pleased with them.
إنهم الجيل الذهبي
أفضل قدوة لنا
هم أولئك الذين شهدوا النبي صلي الله عليه وسلم
الذين
ساروا معه، تحدثوا معه،
تناولوا الطعان معه، قاتلوا بجانبه في المعارك
ناموا آمنين في جواره، صلوا معه
بكوا معه، وعاشوا الصعاب والتحديات معه
إنهم أصحاب رسول الله صلي الله عليه وسلم
الذين كان لديهم حب راسخ
للنبي صلي الله عليه وسلم
لذلك هم بالنسبة لنا المرجع المثالي،
وليس مفهومنا وفهمنا للحب في مجتمع اليوم،
ولا المفهوم الذي نعرفه
بناءً على عقولنا محدودة الإدراك
فعندما نقرأ سيرة
النبي صلي الله عليه واله وسلم،
ونرى
الحب
الذي كان يكنه أصحابه الكرام له،
فإننا ندرك مستوى وعمقًا مختلفًا تمامًا للحب
Love and devotion are proportional to knowledge.
The Companions knew him, so they sacrificed their children and parents
for his sake, peace and blessings be upon him, forgetting everything else.
They gave all they possessed—leaving behind their children, wealth, and belongings—
to strive in the path of Allah.
Their sacrifices accompanied the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) during his lifetime and continued after his passing.
Their sacrifices accompanied the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) during his lifetime and continued after his passing.
What they once possessed in disbelief, ignorance, and heedlessness
was replaced with something far better—
something boundless and immeasurable.
Something boundless and immeasurable.
Thus, they transitioned from the darkness of ignorance to the light of faith, rejoicing greatly in this transformation.
When they beheld the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), they fell in love with him, and their hearts became filled with love for him.
This is why they would often say, “May my father and mother be sacrificed for you, O Messenger of Allah.”
None of them could bear to see the slightest harm come to the Prophet (PBUH).
They would rush to shield him—facing swords and arrows with their own chests—as a sacrifice for the Messenger of Allah.
The scholars of Hadith say, “What can we say about the Companions? All of them are upright.”
Why?
Because the Prophet (PBUH) looked upon them.
The Prophet (PBUH) purified and elevated them.
Astonishing examples abound:
One Companion had his chest touched by the Prophet (PBUH),
while another received a Hadith from him, benefiting immensely.
For instance, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq embodied compassion, as the Prophet (PBUH) said: “The most compassionate of my nation toward my nation is Abu Bakr.”
Umar ibn Al-Khattab—
though compassionate—stood out for his remarkable firmness.
As for Uthman ibn Affan, he combined both compassion and firmness, yet his defining trait was his exceptional generosity and other virtues.
Ali ibn Abi Talib distinguished himself with knowledge, while Mu’adh ibn Jabal specialized in matters of halal and haram.
Zayd ibn Thabit excelled in the Qur’an.
All of them took directly from the Messenger of Allah (PBUH).
They accompanied the Messenger of Allah, seeking blessings through his belongings, peace and blessings be upon him.
Some would sit at his doorstep, devoted to serving him.
Among them were those assigned to carry his sandals.
Others were entrusted with his staff.
Some were responsible for his miswak.
There were those who prepared his ablution water.
Their manners and service in his presence, peace be upon him, reflected the highest level of reverence and dedication.
When you read Shama'il At-Tirmidhi, one of the most authentic books on his characteristics,
you find the words of Anas ibn Malik at the end, saying,
“When the Prophet, peace be upon him, passed away,
and while we were burying him, we felt our hearts change.”
Reflect on the explanation of Shaikh Al-Islam Ibrahim Al-Bajuri in his commentary on this statement.
He said, “This is because the Prophet, peace be upon him, was like a father to them and the central focus of their lives.”
I even dare to say that when the Prophet, peace be upon him, stated,
'Abu Bakr did not surpass you through prayer or fasting,'
it was not due to acts of worship alone, but because of something far deeper.
What was this quality?
The Prophet, peace be upon him, did not explicitly name it.
Yet he declared, 'If the faith of Abu Bakr were weighed against the faith of the entire nation, his faith would outweigh it.'
What made Abu Bakr’s faith so unique?
What distinguished his faith?
Was it mere belief?
But belief, in its essence, is the same for all believers.
What set him apart was his profound love, unwavering attachment, and eagerness,
his inability to bear separation from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.
These examples embody the sincerity of love and the strength of following our master Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.
They highlight an important truth:
Emphasizing the significance of love in our relationship with the Prophet, peace be upon him and his family,
does not diminish the importance of following him.
Rather, it reinforces that true love leads to correct and sincere emulation—just as the Companions followed him.
They were the best in worshipping Allah and adhering to His Messenger, peace be upon him and his family.
This profound devotion is beautifully illustrated in the story of Anas ibn Malik.
A tailor once invited the Prophet, peace be upon him, to a meal at his home.
He served a stew with pumpkin, known as dubbāʾ, and meat.
Anas describes the Prophet’s actions, saying:
“He would follow the pieces of pumpkin around the dish and eat them.”
The Prophet, peace be upon him, loved eating pumpkin.
Anas remarked, “I have loved pumpkin ever since that day.”
Although Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, did not fully grasp the wisdom behind the Prophet’s actions due to his young age,
the Prophet, peace be upon him, intentionally ate the pumpkin,
while leaving the meat for the household—out of generosity, not merely out of preference.
However, young Anas loved pumpkin simply because he saw the Prophet, peace be upon him, eating it.
Such was the depth of their love and eagerness to follow his example.
هذا مما يتحقق به أحد مبادئ المحبة
فمحبوب المحبوب محبوب،
The beloved of one’s beloved is truly beloved
و حبيب الحبيب حبيب. وتذكر من هو أنس؟
And the dear one of the dear one , is truly dear
أنس هو خادم النبي صلي الله عليه وسلم لمدة عشر سنوات، منذ كان في عمر العاشرة إلى
العشرين, وهو يُعلّم التابعين
يقول: كنت أراقب النبي صلي الله عليه وسلم، وكان يتتبع قطع القرع حول الصحن، فماذا فعلت؟
هل قال: “فتتبعت أثر القرع حول الطبق”؟ لا، لم يقل هذا
لم يقل هذا
لأن المسألة بالنسبة له ليست طاعة أو تقليد في الظاهر. ليست اتباعًا خارجيًا فقط
ليس اتباع النبي صلي الله عليه وسلم في الظاهر
بالنسبة له قال وما زلت أحب القرع
حتى يومي هذا
فرق كبير
فرق كبير في قوله ما زلت أحب القرع وكان شيخًا كبيرًا
في السن، وقال ما زلت أحب القرع حتى يومي هذا!
وهكذا مات وهو يحب القرع
لم يمت وهو يتتبع أثر القرع حول الصحن، بل مات وهو يحبه!
وهذا ممجرد مثال صغير، لكن المغزى هو أن حب النبي صلي الله عليه وسلم يُغيّر
ذوقك، أليس كذلك؟ يُبدل ما تحب
وماذا يفعل؟ يجعلك في حالة تناغم، بحيث تصبح محبًا لما يحبه الله،
تبغض ما يبغضه الله. وهكذا لا تكون أهواؤك عابرة، بل تصبح متوافقة مع رب العالمين.
While we acknowledge our inability to fully comprehend the lofty status of our Master, the Messenger of Allah,
we are certain of the obligation to show utmost respect and reverence towards him.
For we are in the presence of the most beloved and noble Prophet, to whom Allah bestowed unique virtues,
exceptional qualities, and unparalleled perfections—
what He has not granted to anyone else—neither angels, nor messengers, nor any of His creations altogether.
O Allah, make us among the best of those who send prayers and salutations upon him,
among the closest to him, and among those who will be honored to reach his presence.
Make us among the most sincere in loving him and the most beloved to him.
Grant us joy through his intercession on the plains of the Day of Judgment.
Make him a guide for us to the Gardens of Bliss, without hardship, difficulty, or scrutiny in reckoning, and make him pleased with us.
Do not allow him to be displeased with us.
Forgive us and all Muslims, both the living and the deceased.
And the conclusion of our prayer is: All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all the worlds.
It all begins with knowledge, as our master Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, lived in the house of our beloved Prophet, peace be upon him.
He came to know him, then loved him, and ultimately followed him.
But what enabled him and the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, to attain this
was their reverence and profound respect for our Master and Prophet Muhammad,Peace and blessings be upon him.
And this will be the topic of our next episode, by the well of Allah.
We invoked Salawat on the Prophet (peace be upon him) more than 83 times in this episode.
