Understanding The Prophet's Life
From Issue: 874 [Read full issue]
Love in Public
Some people say: “Talk of love is meaningless when the world is suffering from so much war and bloodshed.”
But it is not unlikely that the very same person who is saying that is cradling a child in their arms or taking a cup of something to drink with affection from the hands of the one they love. If they are not doing so, then they should be. Love is not a defect. It is not a deviant feeling. People should not be told to forget about it and bury it.
Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) home was permeated with pure love, even in the most trying times and during the most severe challenges. Aishah would still say to her husband: “By Allah! I love you and I love to be near you.” He would stay close to her, even in public, like the time the Ethiopian acrobat troop performed in the mosque, and she watched them while leaning against him lovingly. [Bukhari, Muslim] She wanted the people of Madinah to see how close to him she was.
Even when the time of death approached him, he sought permission from the rest of his family to spend those final days with her in her chambers. She said: “The Prophet died resting in my arms.” [Bukhari, Muslim]
The Prophet was not shy to show his love in public. He did not consider it a weakness or a deficiency.
Homes that are bereft of love are emotionally cold places, where relationships are wooden and mercy is in short supply. Harshness and bitterness are the order of the day, and sometimes even violence. They do not show mercy nor do they wish for mercy to descend upon them. They might justify their austerity with false religious zeal. However, the best guidance is that of our Prophet, and his home was full of love and warmth.
Prophet Muhammad used to pray to Allah to bless him to love in a way that pleases Him and that will not distract him from remembering Him. He said: “And I ask You to bless me to love You and to love those whom You love, and to love the deeds that will bring me closer to Your love.” [Musnad Ahmad]
Compiled From:
"Our Societies Should Not Fear Love" - Salman al-Oadah