Love for the Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam
Imam Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali
Al-Istinshaq
Quoted in "The Delight of Faith" by Abdullah bin Jarullah al-Jarullah
Transl. J. Zarabozo; Dar as-Salaam, 1996)
---------------------------------------------------------------------

It is related in the Sahihain of al-Bukhari and Muslim, rahimahumallaah,
from Anas, radhiallahu `anhu, that the Prophet, sallallahu `alayhi wa
sallam, said: "None of you truly believes until I am more beloved to him
than his father, his child and all of mankind."

And in the same sources we find that `Umar ibn al Khattab, radhiallahu
`anhu, said to Allah's Messenger, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, "O
Rasoolullah, you are more beloved to me than anything except my own self."
Allah's Messenger, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, then told him, "No, by the
One in Whose Hand is my soul, not until I am more beloved to you than your
own soul." `Umar then told him, "By Allah, now you are more beloved to me
than my own soul." Allah's Messenger, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, then
told him that now he had the complete and correct faith.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ibn Rajab says about love of the Messenger sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam:

Love for the Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam is at two levels.

The first level is obligatory. This is the love that requires one to accept
whatever the Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam brought from Allah and
to receive it with love, pleasure, esteem and submission, without seeking
guidance from any other source whatsoever. This is then followed by
excellent following of him in whatever he conveyed from his Lord and to
affirm whatever he has reported of obligations, to remain away from anything
he has prohibited of forbidden acts, to give support for his religion and to
strive against those who oppose him according to one's ability. All of this
are necessary components that one must possess and a person's Faith is not
complete without them.

The second level is superior [and not an absolutely necessary component of
Faith]. This type of love requires following his example in an excellent way
and fulfilling the following of his Sunnah with respect to his behavior,
manners, voluntary deeds, superogatory actions, eating, drinking, dressing,
excellent behaviour with his wives and other aspects of his perfect manners
and pure behavior. It also includes learning about his life and days. It
also includes the heart trembling when mentioning him, saying prayers and
blessings upon him often out of what resides in the heart of love for him,
esteem for him and respect for him. It also includes loving to listen to his
words and preferring them over the words of others of the creation. And one
of the greatest aspects of this love is to follow him in his abstinence of
this world, his being suffices with a little and his turning to and desiring
of the everlasting Hereafter