ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Polarization Around the Character of Ali ibn Abi Talib Love And Devotion To Those Close To God We have said that love is not restricted only to an animal love of a sexual or parental kind. Rather, there is another kind of love and attraction which is situated in a more rarefied atmosphere, and is completely beyond the confines of matter or materiality.

It originates from an instinct far above that of the preservation of generations, and is in fact something which separates the universe of man from the universe of animals. This is spiritual, or human, love, falling in love with excellence and goodness, becoming enamoured of the virtues of man and the beauty of reality. Those loves which are for the sake of a colour Are not love: in the end they are a disgrace; Since love of the dead is not enduring, Because the dead one never comes back to us.

(But) love of the living is every moment Fresher than a bud in the spirit and the sight Choose the love of that Living One Who is everlasting, Who gives thee to drink of the wine that increases life. Choose the love of Him from Whose love All the prophets gained power and glory.

[^1] And it is love which is mentioned in many of the verses of the Qur'an, especially by the word "mahabbah", These verses can be placed in several groups: Verses which describe the believers, and speak of the deep devotion and love they have for God or the other believers, But those that believe love Allah more ardently.

(al Baqarah, 2 :165 ) وَالَّذِينَ تَبَوَّءُوا الدَّارَ وَالْإِيمَانَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ يُحِبُّونَ مَنْ هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَا يَجِدُونَ فِي صُدُورِهِمْ حَاجَةً مِمَّا أُوتُوا وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَىٰ أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌ وَمَنْ يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ And those who made their dwelling in the abode, and in belief, before them, love whosoever has emigrated to them not finding in their breasts any need for what they have been given, and preferring others above themselves, even though poverty be their portion.

(Al-Hashr, 59:9) Verses which speak of the love of God for believers: إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ وَيُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ Truly Allah loves those who repent, and He loves those who cleanse themselves. (Al-Baqarah, 2:222) وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ And Allah loves the good doers. (Al `Imran, 3 :148 and al-Ma'idah, 5 :13 ) نَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَّقِينَ Surely Allah loves those who guard themselves.

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