Love and affection in islam | No hate or jealousy

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Love is a very beautiful blessing which Allah bestows to His servants. Love makes us emotionally stable and comfortable. I can say love is best defined by one who experiences it. As love has various intensities, thus there's not any boundary to it. 

 Our main focus on this essay is to understand different forms of love and what are the commandments of Allah to fulfill them. 

 Remember every type of love is bounded by Shariah (Islamic law). No type of love is permissible which goes against it. 

    There are three types of love in Islam which are based on the partners taking part in the relationship. 

   

Love 

1. Love of brotherhood/sisterhood :  

            Allah emphasis love among believers (brothers as well as sisters). About them Allah says 

      Harsh upon non-believers but affectionate in between (Elaboration of verse 48:29) 

     Allah has used the word رحما    which is derived from رحم (biological uterus) which is the suitable environment for a baby to nourish and develop. 

It can be concluded that there is no jealousy and envy in their hearts as these both lead to destruction 

  Candle of love between believers don't extinguish here as they feed poor ones out of love and affection without seeking anything from them [76:09]. 

    Allah says about their supplication 

Our lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts resentment towards those who have believed [59:10]   

  This love is done only for the sake of Allah and has no other expectations. This love is not done on the basis of worldly purposes, not to marginalize poor ones, orphans etc. 

 Allah commands to His Prophet (s.a.w) to sit with those who stand in nights seeking forgiveness even they are subdued by the society.

Abu Hurairah (r.a) reported: Messenger of Allâh (s.a.w.) said, "Allâh the Exalted has said: 'I will declare war against him who shows hostility to a pious worshipper of Mine. And the most beloved thing with which My slave comes nearer to Me is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawâfil (prayer or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him. When I love him I become his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks (something) from Me, I give him, and if he asks My Protection (refuge), I protect him."" [Al-Bukhari]

 2. Love of parents and loving parents 

    Parents love their child even when he makes them to suffer in different ways. While going through these hardships, they sometimes get toxic thoughts of transgression about which Allah warms them

        O you who believe, let not your wealth and child distract you from the remembrance of Allah [64:9] 

In another verse Allah ordains protect "yourself and your family from hell fire" [66:06] 

  Allah has embodied believers with affection, love and mercy and has said that they supplicate as 

Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous [25:74] 

 This holistic behaviour of parents is taught by our Islam. And subsequently to an offspring, Allah has ordained him with His beautiful commandments. 

  To an adult, Allah says 

Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. [17:23] 

   This verse encompasses the whole respect and honor towards parents and doesn't need any elaboration. 

3. Love of intimacy :  

   This love is exaggerated by people in their comments on social media and others platforms. It is naturally developed during the stages of development. Allah has restricted believers by His commands. No one has right to intervene in the intimacy of others. We aren't allowed to enter into the room without informing to keep this intimacy pure and sacred. 

Allah protects our chastity by prohibiting publicizing intimacy 

Allah says in this regard to women "be clear in your speech to prevent the jealousy of others, don't say those words which arise doubts of hatred in the hearts of others"[33:32] Elaboration of the verse.

  Following the above mentioned verse, Allah says "Stay in your houses and leave the actions of ignorance"[33:33] Elaboration of the verse.

   These are the three types of love and we need all these to live a prosperous life. We also have to give equal weightage to all these three to maintain the equity.