Loving Our Beloved Prophet (pbuh) Part 2

On Love’s Sacrifice

The famed Persian poet, Hafiz of Shiraz, said:

“Even after all this time
The sun never says to the earth:
‘You owe Me.’

Look what happens with
A love like that:
It lights up the Whole Sky.”

Among the indications of 'Love' or 'love' is the sacrifice required of the believers – many of which can be found in the books of Sirah. Farid Ud-Din Attar in his book Mantiq ut-Tair, loosely translated as The Conference of The Birds, used the Hoopoe to try and convince the birds to make the journey to Simurgh. In the Hoopoe’s opening speech at the meeting, he said:

“Many lands and seas are on the way,
Do not imagine that the journey is short;
And one must have the heart of a lion to follow this unusual road;
For it is very long and the sea is deep.
One plods along in a state of amazement;
Sometimes smiling, sometimes weeping.

As for me, I shall be happy to discover even a trace of Him.
That would indeed be something, but to live without Him would be a reproach.
A man must not keep his soul from the beloved;
But must be in a fitting state to lead his soul to the court of the King”

Among Allah’s special beloved servants, did He not have Prophet Zakariah (as) cut up with a saw? Did He not have Prophet Yahya (as) cut to bits? Did He not have Prophet Nuh (as) scourged? Did He not have Prophet Ibrahim (as) cast into the blazing fire? Did He not have Prophet Yusuf (as) thrown into the well and have him sold as a slave in the market? Did He not make them intend to crucify Prophet ‘Isa (as)? Did He not subject Sayyidatina Maryam (as) to slander and calumny? Did He not have Prophet Musa (as) separated from his mother and thrown into the river Nile? Did He not have them smash the tooth of the blessed Prophet Muhammad (saw)? Did He not make a thirsting martyr of Imam Hussayn (ra), along with his seventy-two friends? Did He not make martyrs of Sayyidina Abr Bakr as-Siddiq (ra) by poison, Sayyidina ‘Uthman (ra) by the dagger and Sayyidina ‘Ali (kw) by a poisoned sword? Every men of love have been subjected to tests and tribulations – and this is indeed a Mercy from Allah, the Almighty. Allah, the Almighty had earlier reminded us the following:

“And we shall try you until We test those among you who strive their utmost and persevere in patience; and We shall try your reported (mettle)” … Muhammad 47:31

“How many of the prophets fought (in God’s way) and with them (fought) large bands of godly men? But they never lost heart if they met with disaster in God’s way, nor did they weaken (in will) nor give in. And God Loves those who are firm and steadfast” … ‘ali-‘Imran 3:146

Such sacrifices teach us that this world is a battlefield between good and evil, truth and falsehood, justice and oppression. But Allah, the Almighty also promised that in the long run good, truth and justice shall prevail. Patience and perseverance is the key towards achieving this – and such efforts run thin without Love. Love is the state of being, whilst such sacrifices is the proof of that state of being – just as our acts of worships (Arkanul Islam) is a manifestation of our faith (Arkanul Iman) – for without those physical acts, an empty declaration of faith will not save us. Allah, the Almighty has promised in the Holy Qur’an:

“Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your labour): but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere, who say, when afflicted with calamity: ‘To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return’: - They are those on whom (descend) blessings from Allah, and Mercy, and they are the one that receive guidance” … al-Baqarah 2:155-157

So, if any of us is inclined to offer an iota of excuse against this journey of Love towards Allah, the Almighty, just examine closely the trials set upon our beloved prophets that came before us. Such sufferings are vivid reminders of the tremendous potential for goodness and evil within Man. The prophets represent the ultimate in human potential for goodness for us to emulate.

The sacrifices of our beloved Prophet (saw) are a symbol of our hope and humility. He (saw) sacrificed so that we may discover the depth of potential within us for goodness and the danger to us due to our ignorance and obstinacy. The former gives us hope in our destiny and in the destiny of man generally, whilst the latter increases our humility. The best way to overcome our animalistic desires will be to increase in our love for Allah, the Almighty and our love for the Prophet (saw) as this will strengthen the element of goodness within us.