What is love?

MutlekM

Junior Member
:salam2:
We had a huge argument of what is the meaning of love in my English class. We couldnt come to a conclusion. So I wanna know what do you think or know about love?
Peace:)
 

Talat

Junior Member
:salam2:
Love is patient, love is kind. It has no envy, nor it boasts itself and it is never proud. It rejoices over the evil and is the truth seeker. Love protects; preserves and hopes for the positive aspect of life.
 

MutlekM

Junior Member
:salam2:
Love is patient, love is kind. It has no envy, nor it boasts itself and it is never proud. It rejoices over the evil and is the truth seeker. Love protects; preserves and hopes for the positive aspect of life.

MashaAllaah I wish I was able to come up with that during the argument than I might have won.
Peace:)
 

arzafar

Junior Member
i think love can be categorised as
1. respect
2. compromise/care
3. sacrifice
4. obedience
5. forgiveness

level 1 < 2 < 3 < 4 < 5

From The Faqeeh of Love, Imam Ibn Hazm Al-Andalusee
(384 H. – 456 H.) 994 – 1064 CE. A Dove from Andalusia

The gradual levels of love

Al Mayaa – inclination of heart
Al Hawwa – desire
Al Mawaddah - love
As Sabawa - obsession
Al Walaa - madness
Al Guyam – craziness
Antatayyum – the highest level of admiration/love
 

Frank_H_Smith

New Revert 2010
As Salamu 'Alaykum,

Love is a many splendored thing :)

Seriously, the definition of love and what causes it has been a subject of investigation by philosopher's, social scientists, and neuro-scientists for a very long time.

The Greeks have several words for love:

Storge: is the love one has for their family and family type friends.

Phileo: is the love we have for our friends.

Agape: is the Benevolent and unselfish Affection that is sometimes called the type of LOVE that ALLAH has for us and we are to have for HIM.

Agape is what Paul meant in 1 Corinthians 13:

1Co 13:1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
1Co 13:2 And if I have prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
1Co 13:3 And if I shall dole out all my goods in food, and if I deliver up my body that I may be burned, but have not love, I profit nothing.

1Co 13:4 Love has long patience, is kind; love is not emulous of others ; love is not insolent and rash, is not puffed up,
1Co 13:5 does not behave in an unseemly manner, does not seek what is its own, is not quickly provoked, does not impute evil,
1Co 13:6 does not rejoice at iniquity but rejoices with the truth,
1Co 13:7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1Co 13:8 Love never fails; but whether prophecies, they shall be done away; or tongues, they shall cease; or knowledge, it shall be done away.
1Co 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part:
1Co 13:10 but when that which is perfect has come, that which is in part shall be done away.
1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I reasoned as a child; when I became a man, I had done with what belonged to the child.
1Co 13:12 For we see now through a dim window obscurely, but then face to face; now I know partially, but then I shall know according as I also have been known.
1Co 13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love; these three things; and the greater of these is love.

And, there are other types of love such as eros which is sensual or romantic love. Thelema is more like lust or desire. Eunoia is an affectionate type of love.

Yeshua (PBUH) (Jesus/Isa/يسوع, المسيح) said he would identify those who were following his teachings:
Joh 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Joh 13:35 By this shall all know that ye are disciples of mine, if ye have love amongst yourselves.

In English we can mean caring, needing, wanting, bonded to a person place or thing by affection, altruism, charity, etc.

American psychologist Zick Rubin defines love as comprised of caring, attachment, and intimacy.

The Persian Poet Sa'di wrote:

The children of Adam are limbs of one body
Having been created of one essence.
When the calamity of time afflicts one limb
The other limbs cannot remain at rest.
If you have no sympathy for the troubles of others
You are not worthy to be called by the name of "man."

For the Chinese who follows the concepts of Confucianism is "Ren"("benevolent love") which views one's duty, action and attitude in a relationship such as kindness, generosity, caring, etc.

One of the 99 Names of Allah is Al-Wadud, or "the Loving One," which is found in Surah 11:90 as well as Surah 85:14. (This harmonizes with what was written in 1Jn 4:8 He that loves not has not known God; for God is love. )

Wikipedia has this to say about the Arabic word: "As a word

This word has made its way to many other languages which were influenced by Arabic in one way or another. Some of the most notable languages which have borrowed it are Persian, Turkish, Azerbaijani (Azeri), Sindhi, Siraiki, Punjabi, Urdu and Hindi.

ʻIshq literally means love with no lust.[3] In Arabic, which is its language of origin, it is a noun. However, in Urdu and Hindi it is used as both verb and noun. ‘Āshiq (male) and ‘Āshiqah (female) are its subjective forms. Māshūq (male) and Māshūqah (female) are its objective forms. In addition to Arabic, these forms are used in Persian, Urdu and sometimes in Hindi also.

In Urdu, Ishq (عشق) is used to refer to fervent love for any object, person or God. However, it is mostly used in its religious context. In Urdu, three very common religious terminologies have been derived from Ishq. These terminologies are Ishq-e-Haqīqi (love of God), Ishq-e majāzi (love of God's creation i.e. a human), and ishq-e rasūl or ishq-e Muhammadi (love of Muhammad). Other than these, in non-religious context, ‘ishq is a synonym for obsessive love.

In Hindi, ishq (इश्क़) is mostly used to refer to romantic love in its extreme passionate form. This interpretation of Ishq is mostly popularised by Bollywood movies and Indian filmi music.

In Turkish, Aşk is commonly used to express love, passion or adoration. Clearly derived from the original Ishq, the Turkish version replaces the 'q' with a 'k' (because Turkish lacks voiceless uvular plosive) and the letter 'ş' with the cedilla denotes the "sh" sound. In comparison to Arabic, Urdu or Hindi, the word is less restricted and can be applied to many forms of love, or simply romance. It is common in lyrics of Turkish songs.
[edit] As a concept

In religious context, Ishq, divided into three kinds, is a very important but rather complex concept of Sufi tradition of Islam.
[edit] Ishq-e Haqīqi

Ishq-e Haqīqi (عشق حقیقی) literally means "the real love" but metaphorically it means "the love of God". It refers to the belief that only God is worth loving and He is the only one who can return His creature's love for Him.
[edit] Ishq-e Majāzi

Ishq-e Majāzi (عشق مجازی) literally means "metaphorical love". It refers to the love for God's creation i.e. love of a man for a woman and vice versa. It is said to be generated by beloved person's external beauty. According to some schools of thought in Sufism, Ishq-e Majāzi can eventually lead to Ishq-e Haqiqi.
[edit] Ishq-e Rasūl or Ishq-e Muhammadi

Ishq-e Rasūl (عشق رسول; in Arabic: ʻIshq ar-Rasūl, Arabic: عشق الرسول‎) ' means "love of Muhammad," an important part of being a Muslim. According to Hadis it is necessary, in order for a Muslim to be true Muslim, to love his Prophet more than mere human beings; even more than his own life. The love of the Prophet is Imaan according to Muslim belief.
 

Frank_H_Smith

New Revert 2010
As Salamu 'Alaykum,
MutlekM,

I noticed that you live in the USA. I see teachers still manage to continue the traditions of Christianity/Paganism now under the guise of philosophical discussions about Love. When I was in school they just called it Valentine's Day. The History of Valentine's day is interesting.
 

Frank_H_Smith

New Revert 2010
Assalam Alaykum,

Thank you for all the links. I assumed Islam recognized the pagan origins of the Valentine Day Celebration. When I was a Christian Pastor, I warned against all so called Christian Holidays with Pagan Origins. That is why I mentioned that teachers in Schools in America have always pushed their values, beliefs, and ideology at the students regardless of the legality of it.

I am not a fan of the public education system in America. I remember a third grade teacher banging my head off the desk because I didn't stand to pledge the allegiance to the flag. It wasn't until about the third or four bang that she noticed that I had a fever (I actually had scarlet fever and a temperature of 105 F. I had a friend who was a Jehovah's Witness and the teacher told him if he didn't turn in his homework every morning she would tell us why he didn't pledge the allegiance to the flag. Of Course, that caused him to be view with suspicion as if their was something he was hiding since she said it in front of the class.

I grew up in The United States and in fact my lineage through my father's side puts my family here long before the Mayflower landed. I have seen the detrimental effect of Pagan Holidays such as Christmas on Children. I personally stopped believing in God when I discovered there wasn't a Santa Claus. I figured if that was a lie than everything else I was told by adults about the unseen was untrue.

Love is a very interesting subject. The fact that they were discussing it the day before the weekend of Valentine's Day just made me wonder if the Pagan Holiday had anything to do with the discussion.

Thanks for the links. I will re-read them. Allah Akbar! Alhamdulillah!

I also just re-read the article to the link that I posted and am assuming that it was the last two paragraphs which concerned you. I do apologize for not noticing that the writer may have had some misguide loyalty to the Holiday and negativity toward anyone not wanting to make Pagan Holidays part of their practice. Maybe he's a teacher? :)
 

Abu Sarah

Allahu Akbar
Staff member
it's ok brother :)

insha`Allaah as you was a Christian Pastor you 'll be Sheikh and good Muslim scholar

We ask Allaah to make you steadfast in adhering to His religion and to increase you in guidance, insight and knowledge.

<wasalam>
 

Frank_H_Smith

New Revert 2010
As Salamu 'Alaykum,

Shokran; however, my only desire is to be a Muslim. If I am pleasing and submitting to ALLAH's Will, then I am happy. I am not looking to be anything other than what Allah has me be.
 

MutlekM

Junior Member
Assalam Alaykum,

Thank you for all the links. I assumed Islam recognized the pagan origins of the Valentine Day Celebration. When I was a Christian Pastor, I warned against all so called Christian Holidays with Pagan Origins. That is why I mentioned that teachers in Schools in America have always pushed their values, beliefs, and ideology at the students regardless of the legality of it.

I am not a fan of the public education system in America. I remember a third grade teacher banging my head off the desk because I didn't stand to pledge the allegiance to the flag. It wasn't until about the third or four bang that she noticed that I had a fever (I actually had scarlet fever and a temperature of 105 F. I had a friend who was a Jehovah's Witness and the teacher told him if he didn't turn in his homework every morning she would tell us why he didn't pledge the allegiance to the flag. Of Course, that caused him to be view with suspicion as if their was something he was hiding since she said it in front of the class.

I grew up in The United States and in fact my lineage through my father's side puts my family here long before the Mayflower landed. I have seen the detrimental effect of Pagan Holidays such as Christmas on Children. I personally stopped believing in God when I discovered there wasn't a Santa Claus. I figured if that was a lie than everything else I was told by adults about the unseen was untrue.

Love is a very interesting subject. The fact that they were discussing it the day before the weekend of Valentine's Day just made me wonder if the Pagan Holiday had anything to do with the discussion.

Thanks for the links. I will re-read them. Allah Akbar! Alhamdulillah!

I also just re-read the article to the link that I posted and am assuming that it was the last two paragraphs which concerned you. I do apologize for not noticing that the writer may have had some misguide loyalty to the Holiday and negativity toward anyone not wanting to make Pagan Holidays part of their practice. Maybe he's a teacher? :)

:salam2:
Bro, my teacher brought the conversation up then an agrument started and i was a part of the argument thats all. i just wanted to know my bros/sis view on the topic.
Peace:)
 

saifkhan

abd-Allah
:salam2:
We had a huge argument of what is the meaning of love in my English class. We couldnt come to a conclusion. So I wanna know what do you think or know about love?
Peace:)

Salam Alaikum

Love is that, what a Muslim feels for his Creator,his God...The Rabbul Aalamin(what makes him pray and flow a shower of tears at the night,when nobody's there,what makes him keeping apart from a evil deed when nobody's there,what makes him forget everything when Adhan goes on,as he needs to be prepared for Salah,what makes our sisters to wear the Hijab and maintaining the modesty, as well as our brothers)
and His Messenger our beloved Prophet Muhammad SAWS(what makes him keeping the beard whatever the pressure is,what makes him shorten his trouser upper the ankle,follow the Sunnah,whatever the pinching comes from behind/beside,what makes our sisters to follow the Ummul Mu'mineen),what makes us love each other for the sake of Allah SWT.

Everything else called 'LOVE' in this earth(loving your parents,brothers and sisters,friends,wife children)is nothing but the love for the sake of Allah SWT

May Allah SWT grant all of us in His love and His Messenger's SAWS love

Jazakumullahu Khair for the thread
Barakallahu feekum
wassalam
 

almanar

Seeking Allah's Love
I heard somebody's opinion about Love and I really agree with it and have considered it my definition of Love ;

الحب عطاء

Love is Gift ( i hope i translated it right )
 

Asja

Pearl of Islaam
Assalamu allaicum wa raahmatullah wa baarakatuhu

Love is gift from Allah, that He has given to our hearts, so that we can love everything and everyone that remainds us on His Love, and everything that leads towerd His Love. Love is when we feel peace in our hearts, because when there is love for Allah sake and in His name, it is nothing but truthfull beauty.

The most beautiful and honest love is the one for the sake of Allah, which we feel, for those who are close to us, even for those who are far away from us, like we love our Muslim Ummah for the sake of Allah, and even they are far away, Love for the sake of Allah only, is the one which make our hearts always close.

May Allah bless us all with love in our hearts.

:wasalam:
 

slaveofAllah88

Slave of Allah (swt)
aslam o alaikum

hmm

i think love is friendship and trust that holds two people strong together, if we are talking about the love for one another.

Love for Allah (swt) is totally different and its from the heart its different for everyone.
 

Isra

aka Tree2008
As salamo alaikome

I wanted to add my two cents since I havent really been posting much lately. Actually I was pretty much going to say the gist of what Frank already said and elaborated on. He said it much better than I would have anyway but seriously I have to agree with what he posted.

I have learned over the years that there are many types of love and the actual word "love" at least in the English language doesnt begin to touch on some of the emotion you feel when you "love" someone.

For example.......the love between parent and child is one type of love. In my opinion that is one of the most pure types. It is unconditional in most cases and usually no matter what the other person does you can never lose your love for them. (notice I said USUALLY because this can vary depending on the person and culture possibly so I am speaking in general now).

Another type of love is what devoutly religious people feel for their creator. This is a type of love that goes way beyond the mere word "love" in my opinion. If you are aware that there is a God and he created you that information takes you to a whole other level as a human being and forces you to take sole responsibility for everything that you do forever after.

Then another example is the love between friends. In my opinion and from what I have observed in my life this love is reasonably conditional meaning that depending on loyalty, jealousy and many other outside influences this "love" is able to be broken whereas the above mentioned love is harder to lose.

Finally there is the love between the opposite sex or companionship love. This love is supposed to be considered a lifetime love and for some lucky enough to find that "right" person it can last a lifetime but that is not always the case. In my opinion this is the type of love that is easiest to lose and has the most conditions placed on the relationship. Actually I think its very difficult to actually describe this type of love because so many factors go into it and there are so many variables. There are so many stories of people who "thought" they were in love yet the marriage turned into divorce. What is the reason? Is it possible that humans mistake "love" for other emotions? This is something to wonder as a good possibility. I think MOST if not ALL of us have had that initial "LOVE" feeling when we met someone of the opposite sex who has caught our eye and attracted us. We all know that feeling. I wonder if we dont inadvertently confuse that emotion with real "love".

I think that love is something we have all experienced in our lives Alhamdulillah and it is something Allah has blessed us with on various levels. Without Allah we would have no emotion and how sad would this world be? What would even be the purpose? I have thought about this subject very often as you can see. Sorry to ramble. May Allah forgive me if I have said something wrong.

Wa salam
 

Aapa

Mirajmom
Assalaam walaikum,

In its essence Love is being able to detach from everything because in the presence of Love we are nothing. It is seeing the universe in a grain of sand..it is wanting something as much as life itself and with humility and grace letting it go..because you dare not displease Love. It is walking through life and not touching a thing...understanding nothing belongs to you..and being satisfied with the understanding.
 
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