A presentation about love in Islam, by Marzia Jaghori

1. Love in Islam Ethics Lecturer: Dr. Bahmanpour By: Marzia Jaghori ICAS, In Affiliation with Middlesex University Winter Semester December 17, 2004

2. Similarly the way man has physical needs in life which he strives and struggles to fulfill, the soul too has needs that must be satisfied. These spiritual needs and urges have been placed by the hands of the creator in the depths of the creation’s soul. Man has a natural inclination to find Love and love in any form towards any object has no valid reality except when it is for the sake of God. All love directly or indirectly in some way, shape, or form is a man’s hope to be in reach of the ultimate perfection, which can be nobody but God-the Almighty. Next

3. Love the Sole Purpose of our Creation God created the universe to have something or someone there to reciprocate his love back to him. From the vast universe to the cosmos, the clouds above our heads to even the most minuscule insects, there is love intertwined within every creation of Allah’s. There is no realm of existence where love does not manifest itself in some way. Next

4. “ Oh my beloved! After witnessing Your infinite beauty I become entangled. Seeing, the manifestation of Your glory I become saturated with joy and ecstasy.” -Imam Khomeini (Amini, Self Building . p.415) Next

5. God’s Love for Man It is the man’s heart which attracts God’s love towards mankind more than any other creature. The angels cannot feel the intensity of Allah’s love as the humans can due to the fact that they cannot undergo wrath, severity, and detachment like man can. And the animals cannot feel love in the way man is capable because they cannot experience beauty, tenderness, and proximity suitably. All the conflicting celestial qualities are brought jointly within man, nearness, distance, gentleness, and severity. Love the Sole Purpose of our Creation Next

6. God, man’s real beloved True love and Imitative love True Love - All love in actuality is love for God, for the reason that everything else in existence is merely a shadow or reflection of him. Only God truly exists and one should only direct their love towards him. Imitative Love - Belief in independent existence of various objects of desire therefore turn one’s love towards them. “ Surely my lord is all-merciful, all-love.” Holy Quran (11:90) Next

7. The Secret I need a drink, wine maiden, that cup with grape stain lined, for love that once seemed pleasing has burdened down my mind. Ah smell how West Wind wafts her musk through the tavern door; now feel our pumping hearts beat fast, watch our fears unwind. Why do we who visit love think we'd stay forever? We know the yearn to wander will always lovers find. So we asked the Elder: What law makes love bring pain? Sobriety, he laughed, you'll feel better when you're wined. Your plight cannot be aided by that dull fear to risk the toss and turn of love's dark storm upon the ocean blind. See clear in all these gathered friends who still hold you dear love's secret is that you must love without desires that bind. Hafez, enjoy the one you love, drink deep and embrace; seek not with her to please your world, just give love and be kind. From: 'The Spiritual Wisdom of Hafez Haleh Pourafzal and Roger Montgomery http:// www.allspirit.co.uk/hafizsecret.html Next

12. How to Reciprocate God’s Love If God asks us to give our lives to protect innocent lives or our territorial integrity or similar to, we shouldn’t let our love for this world or any other distraction i.e. family, wealth, power, etc. avert us from striving in his way. Nothing should come into conflict with your love for God Next

13. “ Say, If your fathers and your sons, your brethren and your wives, your kinsfolk and the property you have acquired, the commerce you fear may slacken and the dwellings which you love-if these are clearer to you than God and his apostle and striving in his way, then wait till God brings his command; God does not guide an ungodly people.” Holy Quran (9:24) Next

14. No one is more worthy of love and genuine affection than the divine being. Love is the most important principle of existence in the real world. Next

15. Love Allah (SWT) By: Unknown Author Thy love has infatuated me; O my Allah, I love Thee! Thy love is so sweet, really; O my Allah, I love Thee! Neither wealth pleaseth me, Nor do I worry about poverty. Thy love, alone, makes me happy; O my Allah, I love Thee! Thou hast commanded us to pray, And advised to keep in the right way; Thine blessings to enjoy in endless way. O my Allah, I love Thee! The nafs I have is so treacherous; Poor me, with this being so lecherous! I've found the real delight, so gorgeous: O my Allah, I love Thee! Doing the prayers properly, And also earning the worldly, Is what I do daily and nightly. O my Allah, I love Thee! Love is not only words, O Hilmi! Thy Allah commandeth drudgery; Let your manners testify to thee! O my Allah, I love Thee! Islam's enemies are so many, Attacking the religion insidiously; How could one ever sit idly! O my Allah, I love Thee! A lover simply will not sit lazily, Lest his darling should be hurt slightly. Silence the enemy, and then say honestly: O my Allah, I love Thee! http://www.islamic-paths.org/Home/English/Discover/Poems/Content/Love_Allah.htm The End