Love For Ahl al-Bayt

We who are strongly in need of Allah’s mercy, favor and special attention must choose a path the final stage of which is Allah’s pleasure hence Paradise. In order to win Allah’s favor, we need mediation to find the truth. Based on Qur’¡nic verses, this mediation is love for Ahl al-Bayt and compliance with their teachings. In order to love Ahl al-Bayt, we should first get to know them. When we see their moral virtues and spiritual beauty we will automatically love them. This love makes human receive baptism of Allah and become like the Beloved One in all aspects. One must note that love and friendly relations will come about only when we get to know our Beloved. Even in metaphorical examples of love, one never falls in love unless he sees the beauty of the beloved.

When one loves, one will automatically do one’s best to comply with whatever the beloved wishes and will be baptized by the Beloved in a way that both the lover and the beloved become identical.

The Holy Prophet’s words “Salm¡n is from us, Ahl al-Bayt” is the best proof. Love for Ahl al-Bayt is a valuable truth which Allah has determined as a reward for the mission of the Holy Prophet:

Say: I do not ask of you any reward for it but love for my near relatives. (42:23)

Based on narrations related by Sh¢`ite scholars and others related by Sunni scholars, near relatives are Ahl al-Bayt. The important point in this Qur’¡nic verses is the word love intermingled with obedience.

Is it not surprising that Allah has not refereed to performing prayer, °ajj, fast, almsgiving and poor-rate as reward for the mission of the Holy Prophet but He has stipulated the word love in order to show the love for Ahl al-Bayt and obedience to them are above all other truths. Should there be no love for Ahl al-Bayt, there would be no virtues for the abovementioned acts.

The Holy Prophet is quoted as saying:

لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ أسَاسٌ، وَأسَاسُ الإسْلأمِ حُبُّنَا أهْلَ الْبَيْتِ.

There is a basis for everything; and love for us, Ahl al-Bayt, is the basis of Islam.[1]

Imam `Ali (a.s) has said: I heard Allah’s Messenger saying:

أنَا سَيِّدُ وُلْدِ آدَمَ. وَأنْتَ يَا عَلِيُّ وَالأئِمَّةُ مِنْ بَعْدِكَ سَادَةُ أُمَّتِي. مَنْ أحَبَّنَا فَقَدْ أحَبَّ اللهَ، وَمَنْ أبْغَضَنَا فَقَدْ أبْغَضَ اللهَ، وَمَنْ وَالأنَا فَقَدْ وَالَى اللهَ، وَمَنْ أطَاعَنَا فَقَدْ أطَاعَ اللهَ، وَمَنْ عَصَانَا فَقَدْ عَصَى اللهَ.

I am the master of Adam’s children and you, `Al¢, and the Imams after you are the masters of my ummah. Whoever loves us has loved Allah. Whoever is hostile to us has been hostile to Allah. Whoever obeys us has obeyed Allah and whoever disobey us has disobeyed Allah.[2]

Love for Ahl al-Bayt is a gift which Allah bestows on the pure hearts of worthy people. Imam al-B¡qir (a.s) has said:

إنِّي لأعْلَمُ أنَّ هَذَا الْحُبَّ الَّذِي تُحِبُّونَنَا لَيْسَ بِشَيْءٍ صَنَعْتُمُوهُ؛ وَلَكِنَّ اللهَ صَنَعَهُ.

I know the reason why you love us. It is not something spontaneous; rather, it is a love made by Allah.[3]

Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) has said:

إنَّ حُبَّنَا يُنْزِلُهُ اللهُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مِنْ خَزَائِنَ تَحْتَ الْعَرْشِ كَخَزَائِنِ الذَّهَبِ وَالْفِضَّةِ، وَلأ يُنْزِلُهُ إلأ بِقَدَرٍ، وَلأ يُعْطِيهِ إلأ خَيْرَ الْخَلْقِ. وَإنَّ لَهُ غَمَامَةً كَغَمَامَةِ الْقَطْرِ؛ فَإذَا أرَادَ اللهُ أنْ يَخُصَّ بِهِ مَنْ أحَبَّ مِنْ خَلْقِهِ أذِنَ لِتِلْكَ الْغَمَامَةِ فَتَهَطَّلَتْ كَمَا تَهَطَّلُ السَّحَابُ فَتُصِيبُ الْجَنِينَ فِي بَطْنِ أُمِّهِ.

Love for us is sent down by Allah from treasuries below His throne like treasuries of gold and silver. This love is sent down only with a certain extent to the best of people. It is like a cloud bringing rain with it. So, whenever Allah wills, He sends it down so as to come to an embryo in a mother’s womb.[4]

Since love for Ahl al-Bayt is a heavenly gift and the gift is offered only to friends, love for them is a sign of Allah’s love for human.

Signs of Love For Ahl al-Bayt

Love for Ahl al-Bayt is not only a sign of Allah’s love for man but it is also a sign of other truths as follow:

First: Based on several narrations, love for Ahl al-Bayt is a proof of one’s noble birth. The Holy Prophet is quoted by Imam `Al¢ as saying to Ab£-Dharr:

يَا أبَا ذَرٍّ! مَنْ أحَبَّنَا ـ أهْلَ الْبَيْتِ ـ فَلْيَحْمِدِ اللهَ عَلَى أوَّلِ النِّعَمِ... طِيبِ الوِلأدَةِ. إنَّهُ لأ يُحِبُّنَا إلأ مَنْ طَابَ مَوْلِدُهُ.

Whoever loves us, Ahl al-Bayt, must thank Allah for the first blessing… Nobility of birth; for whoever loves us is of noble (i.e. legitimate) birth.[5]

Imam al-B¡qir has said:

مَنْ أصْبَحَ يَجِدُ بَرْدَ حُبِّنَا عَلَى قَلْبِهِ فَلْيَحْمِدِ اللهَ عَلَى بَادِئِ النِّعَمِ... طِيبِ الْمَوْلِدِ.

Whoever wakes up in the morning and feels the cool breeze of our love must thank Allah for the first blessing; purity and nobility of birth.[6]

Second: Love for Ahl al-Bayt is a proof of purity of heart. Imam al-¯¡diq says:

وَاللهِ وَاللهِ، لأ يُحِبُّنَا عَبْدٌ حَتَّى يُطَهِّرَ اللهُ قَلْبَهُ.

By Allah, none loves us unless those whose hearts have been purified by Allah.[7]

Third: Love for Ahl al-Bayt is a sign of true belief and acceptance by Allah. Allah’s Messenger has said:

عَاهَدَنِي رَبِّي أنْ لأ يَقْبَلَ إيمَانَ عَبْدٍ إلأ بِمَحَبَّةِ أهْلِ بَيْتِي.

My Lord made a promise to me that He will not accept any of His servants’ belief without love for Ahl al-Bayt.[8]

Am¢r al-Mu’min¢n has said:

إنَّهُ لَعَهْدُ النَّبِيِّ الأُمِّيِّ إلَيَّ أنَّهُ لأ يُحِبُّنِي إلأ مُؤْمِنٌ وَلأ يُبْغِضُنِي إلأ مُنَافِقٌ.

The Ummi Prophet expressly said to me that no one but a believer loves me and no one but a hypocrite harbors rancor against me.[9]

He has also said:

لَوْ ضَرَبْتُ خَيْشُومَ الْمُؤْمِنِ بِسَيْفِي هَذَا عَلَى أنْ يُبْغِضَنِي مَا أبْغَضَنِي؛ وَلَوْ صَبَبْتُ الدُّنْيَا بِجَمَّاتِهَا عَلَى الْمُنَافِقِ عَلَى أنْ يُحِبَّنِي مَا أحَبَّنِي؛ وَذَلِكَ أنَّهُ قُضِيَ فَانْقَضَى عَلَى لِسَانِ النَّبِيِّ الأُمِّيِّ، صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ، أنَّهُ قَالَ: يَا عَلِيُّ! لأ يُبْغِضُكَ مُؤْمِنٌ وَلأ يُحِبُّكَ مُنَافِقٌ.

Even if I strike the nose of a believer with my sword to oblige him to hate me, he will never hate me; and even if I pile all the wealth of the world before a hypocrite to love me, he will never love me. This is because it is a verdict pronounced by the tongue of the Prophet—may Allah bless him and his descendants—as he said: O `Ali, a believer will never hate you and a hypocrite will never love you.[10]

Requirements of Love for Ahl al-Bayt

Ahl al-Bayt are not in need of superficial love; rather, they require love which has its medium with it so as to reveal its amazing signs. Here are some requirements of the love for Ahl al-Bayt:

1. Acting according to the decrees

One of the requirements of love for Ahl al-Bayt is that a lover should never stop endeavoring in the way of Allah by making Ahl al-Bayt’s behavior and deeds as models for his life. The Ahl al-Bayt have said:

مَنْ أحَبَّنَا فَلْيَعْمَلْ بِعَمَلِنَا.

Whoever loves us must do whatever we do.[11]

Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) has said:

إنَّمَا شِيعَةُ جَعْفَرٍ مَنْ عَفَّ بَطْنَهُ وَفَرْجَهُ وَعَمِلَ لِخَالِقِهِ وَرَجَا ثَوَابَهُ وَخَافَ عِقَابَهُ.

A partisan (Sh¢`ah) of Ja`far is only he who guards his body and desires from what is unlawful, endeavors for his creator, hopes for His reward, and fears His punishment.[12]

2. Taking Ahl al-Bayt’s Friends As Friends (tawall¢)

Am¢r al-Mu’min¢n has said:

فَإنْ كَانَ يُحِبُّ وَلِيَّنَا فَلَيْسَ بِمُبْغِضٍ لَنَا، وَإنْ كَانَ يُبْغِضُ وَلِيَّنَا فَلَيْسَ بِمُحِبٍّ لَنَا.

If he takes our friend as a friend, he is not our enemy; and if he is the enemy of our friend, he will not be our friend.[13]

Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) has said:

مَنْ تَوَلَّى مُحِبَّنَا فَقَدْ أحَبَّنَا.

One who loves our friend will be certainly our friend.[14]

3. Disavowal of Ahl al-Bayt’s enemies (tabarr¢)

One of the requirements of love for Ahl al-Bayt is to take their enemies as enemy. Imam `Al¢ (a.s) has said:

فَمَنْ أحَبَّ أنْ يَعْلَمَ حَالَهُ فِي حُبِّنَا فَلْيَمْتَحِنْ قَلْبَهُ، فَإنْ وَجَدَ فِيهِ حُبَّ مَنْ ألَّبَ عَلَيْنَا فَلْيَعْلَمْ أنَّ اللهَ عَدُوُّهُ وَجِبْرِيلَ وَمِيكَائِيلَ، وَاللهُ عَدُوُّ الْكَافِرِينَ.

One who wishes to know whether he love us should test his heart. If he feels love in his heart for those who make people our enemy, then he must know that Allah, Gabriel and Michael are his enemies. After all, Allah is the enemy of the unbelievers.[15]

He has also said:

فَإنْ شَارَكَهُ فِي حُبِّنَا حُبُّ عَدُوِّنَا فَلَيْسَ مِنَّا وَلَسْنَا مِنْهُ.

If one who loves us loves our enemies, he will certainly not belong to us nor do we belong to him.[16]

4. Tribulation and Calamity

Nothing is more effective than tribulation and calamity for purifying a man and improving his character. Allah tests His devoted servants with tribulation, calamity, poverty, hunger, bereavement and other incidents so as to make them steadfast on patience, resistance, and endurance; hence, He paves the way for them to enter Paradise. The Holy Prophet, addressing Ab£-Sa`¢d Khidr¢ who was complaining from poverty, said:

إصْبِرْ! فَإنَّ الْفَقْرَ إلَى مَنْ يُحِبُّنِي مِنْكُمْ أسْرَعُ مِنَ السَّيْلِ عَلَى أعْلَى الْوَادِي وَمِنْ أعْلَى الْجَبَلِ إلَى أسْفَلِهِ.

Be patient, for poverty rushes toward those who love me with a speed more hasty than that of a flood coming down from the peak of a mountain.[17]

Ab£-Dharr expressed his love for the Holy Prophet who replied:

اللهَ اللهَ! فَأعِدَّ لِلْفَقْرِ تِجْفَافاً، فَإنَّ الْفَقْرَ أسْرَعُ إلَى مَنْ يُحِبُّنَا مِنَ السَّيْلِ مِنْ أعْلَى الأكَمَةِ إلَى أسْفَلِهَا.

If so, then prepare yourself a cover for indigence! Indigence comes to one who loves us with a speed more hasty than that of a flood coming down from the peak of a hill.[18]

Difficult Test

A narration reads: One day, Allah’s Messenger came across a man of An¥¡r who said, “May my parents be your ransom, O Allah’s Messenger! The expression I see in you visage makes me sad. What is the story?” Looking at the man’s face, the Holy Prophet said, “It is Hunger!” Hearing this, the man became restless; he rushed to his house to find something and bring it for the Holy Prophet, but he could not. So, he rushed to Ban£-Quray¨ah to draw water from well and receive dates as wage. After collecting the dates, he came to the Holy Prophet, placing the dates politely in front of him, and asked him to eat. Allah’s Messenger asked, “Where did you get these dates from?” The man told him the whole story. The Holy Prophet said, “I suppose that you love Allah and His Messenger.” The man said, “I truly do. I swear it by Him Who appointed you as Prophet with the truth; I love you more than my children, my family and all my wealth.” Addressing the man, the Holy Prophet said, “If so, then prepare yourself for indigence, patience, and a cover for tribulation. Verily, by Allah Who appointed me as Prophet, poverty and tribulation come to one who loves me with a speed more hasty than a flood coming down from the top of mountain.

Imam `Al¢ (a.s) has said:

مَنْ أحَبَّنَا أهْلَ الْبَيْتِ فَلْيَسْتَعِدَّ عِدَّةً لِلْبَلأءِ.

One who loves us must prepare himself for tribulation.[19]

Imam al-B¡qir visiting Mu¦ammad ibn Muslim

Mu¦ammad ibn Muslim, one of the best companions of Imam al-B¡qir (a.s), narrates: Although I did not feel well, I traveled to Medina. When Imam al-B¡qir was informed of my arrival, he sent me a bowl of syrup through his servant who said, “Drink this, for the Imam has told me not to return before you drink of it.” I drank from that syrup which was scented with musk. By drinking it, I rose up and did not feel sick anymore. So I decided to go and see the Imam, “May you be healthy, come in, come in.” I entered the room, greeted the Imam and kissed his hands and head. He asked, “Why are you crying?” I replied, “May I be your ransom. I cry because of being away from my home, the journey to the Hereafter, indigence and the fact that I cannot stay with you.” The Imam said, “As for indigence, Allah has decreed it for our friends. Tribulation and calamity rush towards them. As for being away from home, set Imam °usayn who is in a faraway land near the Euphrates as an example. As for the journey to the Hereafter, know that a believer is always lonely in this world until he will depart to the land of Allah’s mercy. As for saying that you love to stay with us, know that Allah is aware of what is in your heart and He will reward you for it.[20]

5. Mutual Love

It is noteworthy that man’s love for Ahl al-Bayt will lead to their love for him too. Even if love for Ahl al-Bayt has no other blessing, it will cause their love for him. So which asset is more valuable than this? Imam al-¯¡diq (a.s) has reported: One day, my father and I entered the Prophet’s Mosque. He was passing by groups of people but he paid no attention to them until he stood near a few persons saying, “By Allah, I love your good scent and your souls.”[21] They were Sh¢`ah.

Ahl al-Bayt’s love for their devotees is to the extent that if one ignores the devotee of Ahl al-Bayt, he will be ignored by them.

In a gathering, Imam al-Sadiq said, “Why do you make light of us?” A man from Khorasan said, “We seek refuge to Allah from making light of you.” The Imam said, “You are one of those who made light of us. Did you not hear such and such man who asked you to give a ride but you ignored him? By Allah, You made light of him. So anyone who makes light of a believer has disrespected Allah.”[22]

6. Love for Ahl al-Bayt eases agony of Death

One of the hard moments in human life is when man is at the point of death. At this stage, all veils are removed before his eyes. Based on his beliefs and morality, man sees truths which can be painful or joyful. Man becomes happy when he sees the result of his love for Ahl al-Bayt.

`Abdull¡h ibn Wal¢d says: Under Marw¡n’s rule, I went to the presence of Imam al-¯¡diq who asked me about my identity.  I said, “I am a man from K£fah.” The Imam said:

مَا مِنْ بَلْدَةٍ مِنَ الْبُلْدَانِ أكْثَرُ مُحِبّاً لَنَا مِنْ أهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ وَلأ سِيَّمَا هَذِهِ الْعِصَابَةِ. إنَّ اللهَ جَلَّ ذِكْرُهُ هَدَاكُمْ لأِمْرٍ جَهِلَهُ النَّاسُ، وَأحْبَبْتُمُونَا وَأبْغَضَنَا النَّاسُ، وَاتَّبَعْتُمُونَا وَخَالَفَنَا النَّاسُ، وَصَدَّقْتُمُونَا وَكَذَّبَنَا النَّاسُ، فَأحْيَاكُمُ اللهُ مَحْيَانَا وَأمَاتَكُمْ مَمَاتَنَا. فَأشْهَدُ عَلَى أبِي أنَّهُ كَانَ يَقُولُ: مَا بَيْنَ أحَدِكُمْ وَبَيْنَ أنْ يَرَى مَا يُقِرُّ اللهُ بِهِ عَيْنَهُ وَأنْ يَغْتَبِطَ إلأ أنْ تَبْلُغَ نَفْسُهُ هَذِهِ ـ وَأهْوَى بِيَدِهِ إلَى حَلْقِهِ.

People of no city are fond of us as the people of K£fah, especially this Sh¢`ite group. Allah has guided you to a truth of which other people are unaware. That is why you befriended us and others harbored our enmity. You confirmed us and others denied us. May Allah make your living and death like those of us. I bear witness that my father said: There is no distance between one you and the source of delight and the envied but the soul’s reaching the throat.[23]

In a narration, the Holy Prophet describes the moment a believer dies and enters the Hereafter as such:

The Angel of Death says to the believer, “Look above your head.” Then he will see stages of Paradise and the castles the worldly people cannot comprehend. The Angel of Death will say, “These are the blessings, wealth, your dependents and your worthy issues who will be with you. Are you pleased with Allah’s favor instead of what you leave in this world?” The believer will say, “Yes, by Allah.” Then the Angel of Death will say, “Look.” And the believer will look and see Mu¦ammad, `Al¢ and the purified ones of the Household of Mu¦ammad and `Al¢ in the uppermost of heaven. The Angel of Death will say, “Can you see them? They are your masters and Imams who are your companions. Are you pleased with them instead of being separated from the world?” The believer will say, “Yes, by my Lord.”[24]

Evidently it is in this state that man considers leaving this world and departing to the Hereafter as something pleasant and never wishes to come back to this world. Some other truths which the devotees of Ahl al-Bayt will see at the moment of death are the angels of mercy who convey Allah’s good tidings and His greeting to them:

As for those who say: Our Lord is Allah, then continue in the right way, the angels descend upon them, saying: fear not, nor be grieved, and receive good news of the garden which you were promised. We are your guardians in this world’s life and in the hereafter, and you shall have therein what your souls derive and you shall have therein what you ask for: A provision from the Forgiving, the Merciful. (41:30-32)

Being at the point of death, Ab£-Dharr who had lost his endurance asked his daughter to search for water and food in the desert, for he was starving! Because he was a devotee of Ahl al-Bayt, he had been banished to the desert of Rabadhah by the tyrannical rule. He had been deprived of everything but since he loved Ahl al-Bayt, he tolerated all the calamities and hardships. When his daughter came back empty-handed, she said to her father, “I could not find any water nor any food.” Finding him in the agony of death, she put his head on the lap and listened to his words, “Unto Him is Peace, upon Him is peace, He is peace, through Him is peace and from Him is peace.” She asked, “O father; none is here.” Ab£-Dharr said, “My daughter, the Angel of Death is here saying, “Allah has said: salute Ab£-Dharr before taking his life: Peace: a word from a Merciful Lord. (36:58) I am greeting back the salutation of my Beloved!

Truly one who loves `Al¢ and his Household will be loved not only by them but also by Allah.

7. Presence of Ahl al-Bayt at the point of death

One of the horrible moments in a human life is when he parts everything. With the arrival of the Angel of Death beside death bed, man feels the bitter experience of being away from home; but for a devotee of Ahl al-Bayt, the situation is quite different, for he will see his guardians and an indescribable joy overwhelms him.

Imam al-¯¡diq (a.s) was asked, “Is a believer displeased when his soul is taken?” The Imam said, “By Allah, a believer is restlessly waiting for the Angel of Death to come and to take his soul. The Angel of Death will say: ‘O friend of Allah! Be patient. I swear by Him Who appointed Mu¦ammad as a Prophet, I am more compassionate to you than your father. Open your eyes and see the Prophet, `Al¢, F¡§imah, °asan and °usayn and the Imams before you.’ Then the believer opens his eyes and will see Ahl al-Bayt.”[25]

8. Immunity from Chastisement

A man who is immune from pollutions and evil acts due to his love for Ahl al-Bayt in this world and is immune from fear and sorrow at the point of death will certainly be immune from chastisement on the Judgment Day. The Holy Prophet is reported as saying:

فَيُوحِي اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إلَيْهَا: يَا فَاطِمَةُ! سَلِينِي أُعْطِكِ، وَتَمَنَّيْ عَلَيَّ أُرْضِكِ. فَتَقُولُ: إلَهِي! أسْألُكَ أنْ لأ تُعَذِّبَ مُحِبِّيَّ وَمُحِبِّي عِتْرَتِي بِالنَّارِ. فَيُوحِي اللهُ إلَيْهَا: يَا فَاطِمَةُ! وَعِزَّتِي وَجَلألِي وَارْتِفَاعِ مَكَانِي، لَقَدْ آلَيْتُ عَلَى نَفْسِي مِنْ قَبْلِ أنْ أخْلُقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأرْضَ بِألْفَيْ عَامٍ أنْ لأ أُعَذِّبَ مُحِبِّيكِ وَمُحِبِّي عِتْرَتِكِ بِالنَّارِ.

On the Judgment Day, Allah addresses Lady F¡§imah as such: ‘O F¡§imah! Ask me and I will grant to you, and wish something and I will make you pleased.’ Lady F¡§imah will say: ‘I ask You not to punish the devotees of me and my progeny with fire.’ Allah will say: ‘O F¡§imah! By My honor, glory and grandeur I took an oath on Myself two thousand years before the creation of heavens and the earth that I would not punish the devotees of you and your progeny with the fire.’[26]

Bil¡l ibn °am¡mah reports: One day, the Holy Prophet was coming to us happily. `Abd al-Ra¦m¡n ibn `Awf asked, “O Allah’s Messenger; what is the cause of your being happy?” The Holy Prophet said, “A good news has come to me from my Lord: When Allah willed to give F¡§imah to `Al¢ in marriage, He ordered an angel to shake the tree of ±£b¡ whereby written leaves were spread. Allah ordered angels to collect those leaves. When the Judgment Day will come, this angel will look for the devotees of Ahl al-Bayt to give them one of these leaves with the following inscription on it: This is a letter of respite from Hellfire by my brother, my cousin and my daughter for the safety of men and women among my ummah from fire.”[27]

Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) has said:

وَاللهِ، لأ يَمُوتُ عَبْدٌ يُحِبُّ اللهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيَتَوَلَّى الأئِمَّةَ فَتَمَسُّهُ النَّارُ.

By Allah (I swear), every servant who loves Allah and His Messenger and accepts the leadership of the Imams and then dies, Hellfire will not touch him.[28]

One of the results of love for Ahl al-Bayt and following them is immunity from Hellfire on the Judgment Day.

The Holy Prophet has said:

مَنْ أحَبَّنَا أهْلَ الْبَيْتِ حَشَرَهُ اللهُ تَعَالَى آمِناً يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.

As for one who loves us—the Ahl al-Bayt, Allah will make him to associate with us on the Judgment Day.[29]

9. Passing The Sir¡§

Immunity from sliding on the Sir¡§ is a result of loving Ahl al-Bayt. The Holy Prophet has said:

أثْبَتُكُمْ قَدَماً عَلَى الصِّرَاطِ أشَدُّكُمْ حُبّاً لأِهْلِ بَيْتِي.

The most steadfast of you on the Sir¡§ is one who loves more my Ahl al-Bayt.[30]

He has also said:

مَا أحَبَّنَا أهْلَ الْبَيْتِ أحَدٌ فَزَلَّتْ بِهِ قَدَمٌ إلأ ثَبَّتَتْهُ قَدَمٌ أُخْرَى، حَتَّى يُنْجِيَهُ اللهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.

Everyone who loves Ahl al-Bayt, even if one of his feet slides, another foot will keep him steadfast and firm until Allah will save him on the Judgment Day.

10. Ahl al-Bayt and Forgiveness

Love in human being is an actuating motor which motivates him to go forwards to his Beloved. This love compels him to purify himself from all pollutions, repent and turn to all moral virtues. If we read in narrations that love for Ahl al-Bayt will lead to forgiveness of our sins, we should not have the impression that it will give us permission to commit sins. If our love for Ahl al-Bayt be true, it will give us the ability to purify ourselves.

Al-°urr ibn Yaz¢d al-Riy¡¦¢, with a moment of reflection, loved Imam °usayn. This love made him give up his high-rank position and the worldly riches. He repented a true repentance so that his sins were forgiven and he was engaged in jih¡d, the most praiseworthy deed, and experienced the most sacred truth, that is martyrdom. This is only the result of love! Based on this reality, Allah’s Messenger said:

حُبُّنَا أهْلَ الْبَيْتِ يُكَفِّرُ الذُّنُوبَ وَيُضَاعِفُ الْحَسَنَاتِ.

Love for Ahl al-Bayt will remove all sins and increase virtues.[31]

Imam °as¡n (a.s) has said:

وَإنَّ حُبَّنَا لَيُسَاقِطُ الذُّنُوبَ مِنِ إبْنِ آدَمَ كَمَا يُسَاقِطُ الرِّيحُ الْوَرَقَ مِنَ الشَّجَرِ.

Surely, love for us will make sins fall down from the children of Adam as the wind make the leaves fall down from trees.[32]

Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) has said:

مَنْ أحَبَّنَا للهِ وَأحَبَّ مُحِبَّنَا لأ لِغَرَضِ دُنْياً يُصِيبُهَا مِنْهُ وَعَادَى عَدُوَّنَا لأ لإحْنَةٍ كَانَتْ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَهُ ثُمَّ جَاءَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَعَلَيْهِ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ مِثْلَ رَمْلِ عَالِجٍ وَزَبَدِ الْبَحْرِ غَفَرَ اللهُ تَعَالَى لَهُ.

Whoever loves us and our devotees for the sake of Allah, but not for a worldly purpose, and antagonizes our enemy, not because of personal rancor, his sins will be forgiven on the Judgment Day even if they are as many as the sands of a desert and foams of seas.[33]

11. Associating with Ahl al-Bayt

Sh¢`ites who have received the baptism of Ahl al-Bayt due to their love for them expect to be associated with Ahl al-Bayt on the Judgment Day. This truth is supported by the Holy Qur’¡n:

And whoever obeys Allah and the Apostle, these are with those upon whom Allah and the Apostle, these are with those upon whom Allah has bestowed favors from among the prophets and the truthful and the martyrs and the good, and a goodly company are they! (5:69)

Imam al-Reza (a.s) is reported as saying:

حَقٌّ عَلَى اللهِ أنْ يَجْعَلَ وَلِيَّنَا رَفِيقاً لِلنَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ وَالصَّالِحِينَ، وَحَسُنَ أُولَئِكَ رَفِيقاً.

It is up to Allah to make our friend associate with the Prophets, the truthful, the martyrs and the righteous. What a goodly company are they!

The Holy Prophet has said:

مَنْ أحَبَّنَا أهْلَ الْبَيْتِ فِي اللهِ حُشِرَ مَعَنَا.

One who loves us for the sake of Allah will be associated with us.[34]

Ab£-Dharr went to the presence of the Holy Prophet saying, “I love certain people but I do not like them practically.” The Holy Prophet said, “Man will associate with one whom he loves.” Ab£-Dharr said, “I love Allah, His messenger, and his Ahl al-Bayt.” The Holy Prophet said,

الْمَرْءُ مَعَ مَنْ أحَبَّ.

“You will associate with one whom you love.”[35]

Imam °usayn (a.s) has said:

مَنْ أحَبَّنَا للهِ وَرَدْنَا نَحْنُ وَهُوَ عَلَى نَبِيِّنَا هَكَذَا ـ وَضَمَّ إصْبِعَيْهِ.

Whoever loves us for the sake of Allah; we will meet the Prophets together.[36]

Yaz¢d ibn Mu`¡wiyah has reported: I was in the presence of Imam al-B¡qir (a.s) when a man who had come from Khorasan on foot entered the room. Showing blisters on his feet, the man said, “By Allah, nothing but love for Ahl al-Bayt has brought me here.” The Imam said,

وَاللهِ، لَوْ أحَبَّنَا حَجَرٌ حَشَرَهُ اللهُ مَعَنَا.

“By Allah, even if a stone love us, Allah will make it associate with us.”[37]

°akam ibn `Utaybah has reported: I was in the presence of Imam al-B¡qir (a.s) while the room was packed with people. All at once, an old man with a walking-stick in his hand entered the room saying, “Peace be upon you, O son of Allah’s Messenger, and the Mercy of Allah and His blessings.” He said nothing more. The Imam greeted him back. Addressing the crowd, the old man said, “Peace be upon you.” He kept silent. Those who were present greeted him back. Then the old man turned to the Imam and said, “By Allah, I do love you and love your devotees. By Allah, I love you not for a worldly purpose but my love is pure. By Allah, I hate your enemies. By Allah my hate is not because of a personal rancor. By Allah, what is lawful to you is lawful for me and what is unlawful to you is unlawful to me. Now, may I be your ransom. Is there any hope of salvation for me?” The Imam said, “Come near, come near.” The Imam made the old man sit beside him. He then said, “O gentleman! A man came to my father, `Al¢ ibn al-°usayn asking the same question. My father replied: ‘If you die, you will meet Allah’s Messenger, `Al¢, °asan and °usayn and `Al¢ ibn al-°usayn. Your heart will become glad and your eye bright. When your death comes, you will welcome it happily with the honorable recorders; and if you survive, Allah will make you with us in the highest rank.’”

Hearing this, the old man started crying loudly which made those present cry too. At this moment, the Imam wiped the tears off the old man’s face. Addressing the Imam, the old man said, “O son Of Allah’s Messenger! May I be your ransom. Give me your hand.” The old man kissed the Imam’s hand, put it on his eyes, bid him farewell and went away.

The Imam who was looking behind him turned to the crowd and said, “Anyone who wishes to see a man of Paradise should look at this man.”[38]

12. Paradise, Reward of Love For Ahl al-Bayt

Love for Ahl al-Bayt, which is a heavenly gift, is to act according to Ahl al-Bayt’s teachings. The reward of such will be Paradise.

In an excellent narration, Imam al-¯¡diq is reported as saying: When the Holy Prophet was traveling, he dismounted and performed five prostrations. When he mounted again, one of the companions asked, “O Allah’s Messenger! We notice something which you did for the first time.” The Holy Prophet said, “Yes, Gabriel came to me and gave the good news: `Al¢ is a man of Paradise; that is why I prostrated before Allah. When I raised my head, he said: F¡§imah too is among the people of Paradise; that is why I prostrated, and when I raised my head he said: °asan and °usayn are the leaders of the youths of Paradise; that is why I prostrated before Allah, and when I raised my head, he said that the devotees of them too are people of Paradise. That was why I prostrated myself. When I raised my head, he said that the devotees of their devotees too are people of Paradise. I again prostrated myself before Allah.”[39]

Imam Zayn al-`ªbid¢n once became ill. A group of companions came to visit him asking after his health. He thanked Allah and asked after their health. They all said, “By Allah, we love you.” The Imam said:

مَنْ أحَبَّنَا للهِ أسْكَنَهُ اللهُ فِي ظِلٍّ ظَلِيلٍ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، يَوْمَ لأ ظِلَّ إلأ ظِلُّهُ.

Whoever loves us for the sake of Allah will be placed by Allah under a shade on the Judgment Day when there is no shade save that of Him.[40]

Y£nus said to Imam al-Sadiq (a.s), “My love and friendship for you and the way Allah made me know your rightly is more beloved to me than the whole world.” When he finished, the sign of vexation was seen in the face of the Imam who said,

يَا يُونُسُ! قِسْتَنَا بِغَيْرِ قِيَاسٍ. مَا الدُّنْيَا وَمَا فِيهَا؟ هَلْ هِيَ إلأ سَدُّ فَوْرَةٍ أوْ سِتْرُ عَوْرَةٍ؟ وَأنْتَ لَكَ بِمَحَبَّتِنَا الْحَيَاةُ الدَّائِمَةُ.

“O Y£nus! You made an improper comparison. What is the world and what is therein? Is it anything but eating to full or covering the private parts while you will attain eternal life by love for us?”

Truly, love for Ahl al-Bayt is source of eternal life which begins with a happy death and continues until eternity:

ألأ وَمَنْ مَاتَ عَلَى حُبِّ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ بَشَّرَهُ مَلَكُ الْمَوْتِ بِالْجَنَّةِ، ثُمَّ مُنْكَرٌ وَنَكِيرٌ. ألأ وَمَنْ مَاتَ عَلَى حُبِّ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ يُزَفُّ إلَى الْجَنَّةِ كَمَا تُزَفُّ الْعَرُوسُ إلَى بَيْتِ زَوْجِهَا.

Whoever dies with love for the Household of Mu¦ammad will be given the good news of entering Paradise by first the Angel of Death and then by Munkar and Nak¢r (Two grave-interrogating angels). Whoever dies with the love of the household of Mu¦ammad will be taken to heaven just as a bride is taken to the bridegroom’s house.[41]

Keep Company With Ahl al-Bayt

Mu¦ammad ibn Wal¢d says: I asked Imam al-Jaw¡d, “Is there any reward for doing a service for Ahl al-Bayt?” The Imam said, “Imam al-¯¡diq had a slave who used to look after his mule when the Imam would the mosque. One day, he was sitting beside the mule when a group of people came from Khorasan. A man from among them said to the slave, “Can you tell Imam al-¯¡diq to replace you with me and in exchange for this I will give all my wealth to you?” The slave said, “I should first consult with the Imam.” The slave came to the Imam saying, “May I be your ransom. You know about my long service to you. Do you prevent me from having a wealth if Allah gives such a wealth to me?” The Imam said, “I will give to you of my wealth and keep you from others.” The slave told the Imam the whole story. The Imam said, “If you are reluctant to serve us and that man is willing to do so, we will accept it.” When the slave went away, the Imam called him saying, “For your long services, I will advise you and then you can choose between the two. When the Judgment Day comes, the Holy Prophet will be hanging from Allah’s light and Am¢r al-Mu’min¢n will resort to Allah’s Messenger; the Imams will resort to Am¢r al-Mu’min¢n; and our followers (Sh¢`ah) will resort to us; they will enter where we will enter; and they will abide where we will abide.” The slave said, “No, I will not leave you but remain at your service, for I prefer the Hereafter to this world.”

The salve came out of the house with his answer. The man who was waiting for the slave said, “You have come back with an expression in your face different from that you went in!” The slave told him the story and took him to Imam al-¯¡diq who accepted his loyalty and ordered one thousand Dinars to be given to the slave. After a while, the man rose up to bid the Imam farewell. He asked him to pray for him and the Imam did.”[42]

13. Love For Ahl al-Bayt Puts Hearts at Rest

Love for Ahl al-Bayt not only resolves difficulties at the point of death and the Hereafter but also relieves worldly problems. One of the blessings of the love for Ahl al-Bayt is that it puts the hearts at rest which is a blessing for the man who lives in this world of anxiety and restlessness. Imam `Al¢ (a.s) says:

إنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ لَمَّا نَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ  قَالَ: مَنْ أحَبَّ اللهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَأحَبَّ أهْلَ بَيْتِي صَادِقاً غَيْرَ كَاذِبٍ وَأحَبَّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ شَاهِداً وَغَائِباً، ألأ بِذِكْرِ اللهِ يَتَحَابُّونَ.

When the verse ‘now surely by Allah’s remembrance are the hearts set at rest” was revealed, Allah’s Messenger said: This is about one who loves Allah and His Messenger, loves my Ahl al-Bayt truly not falsely, loves believers both in the past and in the future. By Allah’s remembrance they love one another.[43]

Truly one whose love for Allah, the Holy Prophet, Ahl al-Bayt and the believers is true has tranquility and peace of mind. Traitors, thieves, oppressors, usurpers, bribe-takers, usurers, ogles, adulterers, corrupts, defrauders, deceivers, and sinners can never enjoy peace of mind and tranquility. However, the lovers of Ahl al-Bayt who are clean from all these pollutions enjoy peace of mind and their hearts are set at rest.

Imam al-¯¡diq reports: The Holy Prophet asked `Al¢, “Do you know about whom the following verse was revealed: those who believe and whose hearts are set at rest by the remembrance of Allah; now surely by Allah’s remembrance are the hearts at rest? Imam `Al¢ replied, “Allah and His Messenger know better.” The Holy Prophet said,

(نَزَلَتْ) فِي مَنْ صَدَّقَ لِي وَآمَنَ بِي وَأحَبَّكَ وَعَشِيرَتَكَ مِنْ بَعْدِكَ وَسَلَّمَ الأمْرَ لَكَ وَلِلأئِمَّةِ مِنْ بَعْدِكَ.

“It is about one who acknowledges me, believes in me, loves you and your family, and submits his affairs to you and the Imams after you.”[44]

Anas ibn M¡lik, an authentic narrator for Sunnis, says: the Holy Prophet recited the above-mentioned verse; saying, “Do you know who these people are?” I said, “O Allah’s Messenger, who are they?” The Holy Prophet said, “We are Ahl al-Bayt and our followers.”[45]