LOVE GOD ALONE

[Orange]

Peace be upon you Joseph,

Knowing that GOD is LOVING, MERCIFUL and all the beautiful things one can imagine, Is there any where in Quran where GOD has specifically mentioned to LOVE HIM ALONE?

Or as the traditionalists say that wherever GOD has mentioned regarding LOVE he has mentioned HIS messenger  (I am not sure whether it is mentioned for Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) or the entire messengers; but these traditionalists emphasize that you will go to hell if you have no love for Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) exclusively among other messengers) together with HIM.

Please share your views.

Regards

[Joseph Islam]

Salamun Alaikum,

The Arabic word for love is 'hubb' and in the following verse we see that the expectation from a believer is to love God ardently. There is more than a suggestion that some love other entities as they love God. This is rebuked and the love for God should remain incomparable.

002:165
"And there are some among mankind who take for themselves besides God equals. They love them as they love God, and those who believe are stronger in love for God. If only the unrighteous could see, when they would see the penalty: that all power belongs to God, and God is severe in punishment"

Furthermore, the relationship between God and His messenger is often misunderstood.  Messengers have asked their people to 'follow' (ittaba'a) them in their capacity as 'messengers' if they truly love God. God and His appointed messenger have a common purpose to deliver the truth to the people. Once they follow the 'messenger' only then would God love them.

003:031
"Say, "If you love (tuhibbuna) God, then follow me (fa-ittabi-uni) (and) God will love you (yuh'bib'kumu) and He will forgive you for your sins and God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful".

It is this 'common purpose' between God and his messenger that is often misunderstood and instead an unwarranted lean towards the 'personality' often ensues which results in nothing short of human reverence. This common purpose can also be seen in verse 9:24, where it is God and His messenger (who delivers God's message) that should be more beloved than any other delights one may have been granted (9:24).

I hope that helps, God willing.
Joseph.





UPDATE BY QM FORUM MODERATOR

13th March 2013

This thread is now closed and a direct link to this post is now available at the dedicated Q&A page.

http://quransmessage.com/articles/q&as%20FM3.htm

Thanks.