LESSON OF THE DAY 547

Ayahs of the Day:
And if any want the Hereafter and strive for it with effort, as a believer, their effort is appreciated. To everyone We give, to this one and that one, from the gift of your Lord. And the gift of your Lord is not restricted. [17: 19,20]

Hadith of the Day:
He who loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him. And he who detests the meeting with Allah, Allah detests meeting him. [Bukhari & Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day:
The heart of the lover of Allah desires to sacrifice everything for the sake of his Beloved. Love of Allah changes the bitterness in a person's life to sweetness. No depression or anxiety afflicts the one who is attached to his Lord. [Shaykh Zulfiqar]

Guidance of the Day:
Love of Allah. The inclining of the heart toward something that gives it pleasure is called love (Mahabba). Love can be either physical or intellectual. Physical love is not a voluntary or volitional condition. Its occurrence and continued existence are non-volitional. Often non-volitional acts are merely transitory. It is for this reason that physical love is not commanded. The origination and continued existence of intellectual love, on the other hand, are volitional. It is therefore a state that can endure. Intellectual love is therefore commanded. It is this kind of love that is superior and preferable. Since the source of physical love is emotion, it is a passing state.

There are three factors giving rise to the love of something. Kindness and support (ihsan), beauty (jamal), and perfection (kamal). These three attributes par excellence exist only in Allah Most High. The love of Allah endures as long as these attributes endure. They will endue forever; hence, love for Him is perpetual. Physical love is possible toward others, but the love toward Allah Most High that has been commanded is intellectual love. This should not be understood to mean that the perfected saints are without physical love. They are perfect in both intellectual and physical love--the former being dominant, while in others physical love is dominant. Those devoid of both these aspects are in danger. Love of Allah is thus essential. Obedience without love of Allah is not sufficient as there is a resolution and firmness in such acts of obedience devoid of love.

Acquiring Love of Allah: Constant remembrance and contemplation of the attributes and bounties of Allah Most High will induce the desired love for Him. Compliance with the laws of the Shari'a and much remembrance of Allah will result in exclusive love of Allah Most High. [The Path of Perfection]

Du'a of the Week:
Allahumma inni as'aluka fahman Nabiyyeen wa hifzal Mursaleem wal Muqarrabeen. (O Allah! I ask You for the understanding of the Prophets and the memory of the Messengers and those nearest to You)

Food for Thought:
The best way to fight evil is to make energetic progress in the good. Seeking the good and being with people of love and peace is always powerful protection.