"From amongst the people are those who have taken besides Allaah equals, loving them as they love Allaah. But those who believe are stronger in their love for Allaah."
(Al-Baqarah: 165)
Al-Allaamah Shaykh Sulaymaan the grandson of Shaykhul-Islaam Muhammad ibn Abdil Wahhaab (may Allaah have mercy upon them both)stated:
"Have knowledge that love is divided into two categories, one that is shared and the other which is exclusive. As for the love that is shared, it is divided into three categories:
1. Natural Love: The love that the one who is hungry has for the food or the love that the one who is thirsty has for the water and similar to that. This doesn't necessitate the magnification (of that which is loved).
2. Love of Mercy: The love that the parent has for his/her small child. This also doesn't necessitate the magnification (of that which is loved).
3. Love of Companionship: The love of those who collectively partake in a matter of manufacturing (something), knowledge, friendship, business or traveling with one another. Like the love that brothers have for one another. These three categories which are suitable for the creation to have for one another, its presence amongst them is not considered Shirk (polytheism) in the love of Allaah. For this the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) used to love sweets and honey. He (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) used to love His wives and Aaishah was the most beloved of them to Him (sallallaahi alayhi wa sallam). He (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) used to love His companions and the most beloved of them to Him (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) was (Abu Bakr) As-Siddeeq (may Allaah be pleased with him).
The second category of love: The love which is exclusive, is that which is not suitable to be for anyone except Allaah. Whenever the servant loves other than Allaah, with this type of love, then it is Shirk which Allaah will not forgive (if the person dies upon it). It is the love of servitude which necessitates (that the person is in) the state of lowering himself, being subdued and magnification. It also necessitates complete obedience and giving prefernce over other than him/it. This type of love is not permissible to be connected to anyone besides Allaah from the start, just as Ibn al-Qayyim has established (may Allaah have mercy upon him). This is the type of love that the polytheists equally divide between Allaah and their false deities."
Source: Tayseer Al-Azeez Al-Hameed pgs. 402-403 by Shaykh Sulaymaan ibn Abdillaah (may Allaah have mercy upon him).
Sisters Upon Al-Istiqaamah
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