firm towards the disbelievers, striving in the cause of Allah and fearing no blame from anyone.”
[Surah al-Mā’idah 54]

These, then, are three foundations for those who love Allah: devoting their religion sincerely to Him, following His Messenger, and striving in His cause.

He tells us that the polytheists who take others as His equals love them as they love Allah. Then He says:

“But those who believe are stronger in their love for Allah.”
[Surah al-Baqarah 165]

The believers’ love for Allah is therefore stronger than that of the polytheists who love those they take as His equals as they love Allah. Whoever loves anything other than Allah as he loves Allah is thus one of the polytheists, not one of the believers.

Love for His Messenger is part of love for Him. Hence, the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said in the hadith recorded in both Sahih collections:

“By Him in whose hand is my soul, none of you believes until I am more beloved to him than his child, his father, and all people.”

Sahih al-Bukhārī also records that ‘Umar said to him, “O Messenger of Allah, by Allah, you are more beloved to me than everything except myself.”

He replied, “No, ‘Umar—not until I am more beloved to you than yourself.”

‘Umar said, “Then you are more beloved to me than myself.”

He replied, “Now, ‘Umar.”