muchlis@math.wisc.edu (Ahmad Muchlis) (02/03/91)
In <1991Jan29.085918.1135@nntp-server.caltech.edu>, paul@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu wrote: > As to the specific word "love", this is reserved for spousal > relations, exclusively. Not if your "love" means the Arabic "mahabbah". Two examples from the Qur'an: 3:31: Say: "If you do love Allah, follow me. Allah will love you and forgive you your sins, for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." 5:54 (v. 57 in A. Yusuf Ali): O you who believe, if any from among you turn back from his Faith, soon will Allah produce a people whom He will love as they will love Him .... >From these ayat, it is clear that "love" applies to the relationship between Allah (SWT) and human beings. More comment: In my perception there is no basic difference between various loves: love to Allah (SWT), love to spouse, love to offsprings, love to parents, etc. All involve emotional attachment, eagerness to please, fear of displeasure, readiness to sacrifice (of course they are manifested in different ways). Love to Allah (SWT), however, should supercede love to others. The latter is also applied in varying degrees. Allahu a'lam. --Muchlis