Having Love For Other Beings

 عن أبي موسى الأشعري أنه سمع النبي - صلى الله عليه وسلم - يقول : " لَنْ تُؤْمِنُوا حَتَّى تَرْحَمُوا " . قَالُوا : يَا رَسُولُ الله ، كُلُّنَا رَحِيم . قال : " إِنَّهُ لَيسَ بِرَحْمَةِ أَحَدِكُمْ صَاحِبَهُ ، وَلَكِنَّهَا رَحْمَةَ النَّاسِ رَحْمَةَ الْعَامَّةِ 

From Abi Musa al-Asyari who heard Rasulullah (ﷺ) say, “You do not have belief until you have love for others.” The Companions said, “O Rasulullah! We are all among those who bear love.” The Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Verily, what is meant is not (just) the love between companions, but (also) that for humankind and all other beings.” 

Narrated by Tabrani

Grade: Hasan (sound)

Lessons: 

1. The love between fellow believers is closely related to their faith in Allah.

2.  We must have love not only for fellow Muslims, but also non-Muslims and other living beings.

3. The ability to love is Allah’s gift to every creature, man or animal. It is instinctual for humans to have compassion for others, including the elderly and the young.

4. Ibn Qayyim once said, “To love is to be charitable and kind to others, and to love is the willingness to bring good to them and deter them from harm.”

5. Allah loves those who love other beings. Rasulullah (ﷺ) said: 

إنما ير حم الله من عباده الرحماء

"Allah is merciful only to those of His slaves who are merciful (to others).” 

Narrated in Sahih Al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim

Let’s be compassionate and accord others their right to be loved.