impact on the soul. It takes hard work to possess thatlove. The
concept of love in the Qur'an encapsulates the concepts of
self-sacrifice, patience, generosity, care and protection. Our Lord
reveals in the Qur'an that responding to evil and evil words in the
finest possible manner and treating people well represents the basisof
love.
If you ask people across the world, the majority will probably say
they "know all about love and loving" and that they "love agreat many
people." But the fact is that only very, very few people know love and
how to love. What people imagine to be "love" is actually a feeling
rather more like infatuation. The passage of time makes it quite
clear that this feeling is not love at all. True love is an emotion
based on the love and approval of Allah, that never diminishes no
matter how much time goes by, that can withstand time, difficulties,
flaws and errors andthat is always growing.
Responding to Evil in the Finest Way Is Proof of Love
In the Qur'an, Allah commands people to respond to evil with good:
"A good action and a bad actionare not the same. Repel the bad with
something better and, if there is enmity between you and someone
else, he will be like a bosom friend." (Surat al-Fussilat, 34)
Allah has promised believers an auspicious outcome when they respond
to evil with good. He notes that even if there is a stateof enmity
between them and theother person, a warm friendship can still emerge.
This is also a requirement of believers' conception of love and
compassion. When they see that the other party is behaving badly and
in a manner displeasing to Allah, they first think that this behavior
is a danger to that person in terms of the hereafter and approach that
person with tolerance and modesty, avoiding pride and arrogance, and
adopt a humble way of speaking. They never adopt the logic of "The
person inerror or who does wrong must be the first to apologize" or
"To hell with them," an attitude common among people who do not live
by Qur'anic moral values.They know that Allah will approve of the
behavior of whoever behaves well, and that to respond to evil with
good is the behavior most compatible with the moral values of the
Qur'an. For that reason, they regard humility as gaining them
something rather than a source of loss.
Believers may encounter all kinds of people during their lives. But
they never alter their moral conception on the basis ofother people's
behavior. Other people may speak mocking or ugly words, become angry
or behave badly. But the believer never changes his good manners,
modesty, compassionate affection and loving behavior. He never
repliesto bad words with bad words of his own. He never responds to
mockery or anger with mockery or anger of his own. He always responds
to offensive behavior with a tolerance, compassion and love that
serves to embarrass the other party and make them want to behave
better. He is always calm and moderate in the face of anger.
Of course, this behavior on the part of a believer has an entirely
rational dimension; it never puts him in a position whereby he can
come to harm. He never allows himself or other believers to come to
any harm or to sufferany wrong. But with his good behavior he also
preaches the moral virtues commanded by thefaith. And by adopting the
moral values beloved of Allah, he tries to attract the other party
toward religious moral values.
However, we must also not forget that someone else behaving badly is
no excuse for exhibiting poor moral values oneself. Everyone is
individually and ultimately responsible to Allah for his actions.
Being able to respond to bad behavior with affection, compassion,
moral virtue and love is, according to the Qur'an, a sign of superior
morality because this proper attitude on the part of the believer
shows the power and intensity of his devotion to Allah.That person is
patient solely because that value will be pleasing to Allah. Allah
reveals that He will twice reward this superior patience people
exhibit regarding living by the moral values of the Qur'an:
"They will be given their reward twice over because theyhave been
steadfast and because they ward off the bad with the good and give
from what we have provided for them." (Surat al-Qasas, 54)
Treating People Well Is Proof of Love
"We did not create the heavens and earth and everything between them,
except with truth. The Hour is certainly coming, so turn away
graciously." (Surat al-Hijr, 85)
Allah commands believers to behave well and treat others with love.
This is a solid moral conception stemming from fear of Allah and
devotion to the Qur'an.
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