for whose sake they loved them. When someone is loved for the sake of another, love for him is subordinate to love for that other. How can someone who does not love Allah love anyone for Allah’s sake? And how can someone love Allah while turning away from the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and from Allah’s path?

How many people love shaykhs, kings, or others and take them as rivals to Allah, loving them as they love Allah! The difference between loving for Allah’s sake and loving others alongside Allah is clear. Those who associate partners with Allah take rivals whom they love as they love Allah, whereas those who believe are stronger in their love for Allah. The people of faith love in this way because the foundation of their love is love of Allah. Whoever loves Allah loves those who love Him and those whom Allah loves. The beloved of one’s beloved is also beloved, and whoever is beloved to Allah loves Allah. Thus, whoever loves Allah is loved by those who love Allah.

As for those who associate partners with Allah, they take rivals or intercessors whom they invoke besides Allah. Allah Most High says:

“You have certainly come to Us alone, just as We created you the first time, leaving behind all that We bestowed upon you. We do not see with you those intercessors of yours whom you claimed were Allah’s partners in your affairs. The ties between you have been severed, and all that you used to claim has vanished from you.”

Allah Most High also says:

“Why should I not worship the One who created me, and to whom you will be returned?”

“Should I take gods besides Him? If the Most Merciful intends harm for me, their intercession will avail me nothing, nor can they rescue me.”

“I would then indeed be