Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

'Ali ibn Abi T2lib 123
you deligbt are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger, and
striving hard and fighting in His Cause, then wait until Allah brings
about His Decision [torment]. And Allah guides not the people who
are al-Fdsiqoon [the rebellious, disobedient to ~llah]) (Qur'an 9: 24).
This verse states that it is obligato~y to love Allah (B) and His
Messenger, and that this love must be given precedence over all
other, and there is no difference of opinion concerning that among
the ~rnmah.'~'
Allah says: (Say [O Muhammad to mankind]: If you [really]
love Allah, then follow me [i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow
the Qur'an and the Sunnah], Allah will love you and forgive you your
sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful) (Qur'an 3: 31).
In this verse, there is an implicit indication that it is obligatory to love
the Prophet (g), because Allah (&) has stated that the proof of love
for Him and sincerity thereof is following the Prophet (@). This
following cannot be achieved except after believing in the-prophet
@), and believing in him must fulfil the necessary conditions, one of
which is love for the Prophet (g).
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (&) that the Messenger of
Allah (gJ said: "By the One in Whose hand is my soul, no one of
you truly believe this until I am dearer to him than his son and his
father."z32 There can be no doubt that the level of the Companiorls'
love for him was more complete than that of anyone else, because
love is the fruit of knowledge and they were more aware of his
position, status and virtue than anyone else. Hence their love for him
(g) was stronger and greater.z33 Amir al-Mu'mineen 'Ali ibn Abi
T%b (&) was asked: "How was your love for the Messenger of
Allah (g)?" He said: "He, by Allah, was dearer to us than our
wealth, our children, our fathers, our mothers and cold water when
one is thirsty."234 This type of absolute love is not for anyone but the
Messenger of Allah (g).