The first obligation towards Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم is that we inculcate true love for him. It is reported in the Hadith that one’s Imaan will not be perfect unless one loves Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم more than he loves his parents, children and all the people.
عَنْ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم لاَ يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى أَكُونَ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ وَالِدِهِ وَوَلَدِهِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ.
Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم said “none of you will have perfect Imaan till he loves me more than his parents, children and all the people.”(Bukhari #15)
حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو عَقِيلٍ، زُهْرَةُ بْنُ مَعْبَدٍ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ جَدَّهُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ هِشَامٍ، قَالَ كُنَّا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهْوَ آخِذٌ بِيَدِ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ فَقَالَ لَهُ عُمَرُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لأَنْتَ أَحَبُّ إِلَىَّ مِنْ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ إِلاَّ مِنْ نَفْسِي. فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم لاَ وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ حَتَّى أَكُونَ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْكَ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ ”. فَقَالَ لَهُ عُمَرُ فَإِنَّهُ الآنَ وَاللَّهِ لأَنْتَ أَحَبُّ إِلَىَّ مِنْ نَفْسِي. فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” الآنَ يَاعُمَرُ.
One one occasion, Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه addressed Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم saying; “O Rasul of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم! I love you more than everyone, besides myself!
“Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم said to Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه; “No, by the Being in whose hands my soul lies, (you can never be a perfect believer) until you have more love for me than your own self.”
Thereafter Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه mentioned; “O Rasul of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم! I now love you more than everything, including myself.”
Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم then said; “O Umar! Now your Imaan is perfect.”(Bukhari #6632)
Without developing our love for Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم to this level, where one gives preference to him and his commands over everything else, we will not be successful in reaching Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله.
(The Gift of Durood and Salaam Pg.22)
Reflections
Hazrat Haafiz Qaasim Paruk Sahib حفظه الله mentions:
One of the greatest impediments in our lives is the lack of true love; we chant slogans of love for our Noble Master صلى الله عليه وسلم but are found wanting in our commitment to him. Love is where we obliterate our opinions and desires; we need a true and uncontaminated relationship with Sayyiduna Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم. Nothing else will suffice.
يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ دَائِمَاً أَبَدًا عَلَىْ حَبِيْبِكَ خَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ كُلِّهِمِ
“O Sustainer, shower Salaat and Salaam forever and ever upon Your beloved, who is the best of all creation.”
جَزَی اللہُ عَنَّا نَبِيَّنَا مُحَمَّدًا صَلَّی اللہُ عَلَیْه وسَلَّمَ بِمَا هُوَ أَھْلُهُ
May Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله reward our Nabi Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم on our behalf such a reward that is due to Him.