REAL LOVE

Love, simple word but means a lot for humankind. It always becomes nice topic to discuss especially for the youth, where love finds its labile period. Everybody claiming their self as a normal person should have ever experienced love in their life. This paper is purposely to explain what love to opposite gender from both general and Islamic view and what the indicator used to measure ‘Islamic’ real love.

General definition of love as given by Wikipedia is an emotion of strong affection and personal interest. People falling in love to someone will express it in various actions
such as self-sacrifice, empathy, concern, compassion, help, follow the words, obedient, and willing to do whatever for the pleasure of the said someone loved. It can bring positive impact in a way it may change the ‘victim’ to be more excited in running life. However, love can be also the source of suffering. People getting pain from love may lose their spirit which the main important thing to run this life. Suicide is probably the common case nowadays as a result of failing in love.

Then how Islam defines love? Surely, love is not denied i forbidden in Islam. It is even seen as a bounty from Allah. Human by its nature does have love because it is something granted by The Owner of this universe. As stated in Al Qur’an Surah Ar Rum verse 21 as follow:

“And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.”(QS. 30:21)

Love is a sign from Allah. Sign is guidance to somewhere or something. Therefore, love in Islam is ideally guidance to the giver of love, Allah. That is the real love. Therefore, love for people who state that their love is because of and for Allah, will lead them to be closer to Allah. Otherwise, it is not love but rather nafsu. Then it does not deserve to be called love if it brings the lover away from Allah. Worst thing is some people engage in immoral acts in the name of love. Really, that is kind of betraying the value of love and blemishing its sanctity.

So, how do we measure our love is real love in Islamic view? Firstly, it is simply by measuring our closeness to Allah while loving someone. Is it growing or vice versa, we are further away from Him. Answer that with an honest heart. Secondly, ask our self, “Who is fulfilling our heart and mind the most? Is it Allah or the one that we love?

If Allah warn us in Surah At Taubah verse 24 not to love anyone, even if they are our closest family, exceed our love to Allah and His Messenger, then how about love to the one with no consent of ijab qabul yet?

 “Say, (0 Muhammad), ‘If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, wealth which you have obtained, commerce wherein you fear decline, and dwellings with which you are pleased are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and jihad in His cause, then wait until Allah executes His command. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.” (QS 9: 24)

To conclude, may Allah grant us with the blessed love. Love in Allah, because of Allah, and for Allah alone. Amin.