Abu Hurairah (Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Allah, will ask on the Day of Judgment: Where are those who loved each other for the sake of My glory? Today, on a day when there is no shade but Mine, I shall shade them with My shade. (Muslim)

Love is among the most exalted of human feelings. When this love revolves around Almighty Allah and forms the basis for our interpersonal relationships, many problems can be weathered and great fruits can be harvested for both the individual and society as a whole. The Quran and Sunnah often speak about the noble status of those whom Allah graces to possess such love. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Among Allah’s servants are people who are neither prophets nor martyrs, but whom the prophets and martyrs will deem fortunate because of their high status with Allah.

The Companions asked, O Messenger of Allah! Inform us of who they are. The Prophet (peace be upon him) told them that they are people who loved each other for Allah’s sake, even without being related to one another or being tied to one another by the exchange of wealth. The Prophet (peace be upon him) went on to describe their great reward on the Day of Resurrection: By Allah, their faces will be luminous and they will be upon light. They will feel no fear when the people will be feeling fear, and they will feel no grief when the people will be grieving. Then he (peace be upon him) read verse 10 from Surah Yunus. (Abu Dawud) This reminds us of another famous hadith that enumerates the seven types of people who will enjoy Allah s shade on a day when there is no shade but His. Among those mentioned are two men who love each other for the sake of Allah, meeting for that reason, and parting with this love (still cherished by both of them) (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Love for Allah’s sake transcends the limits of our worldly existence, enduring into the life to come. Allah says: Friends on that Day will be foes one to another except Al-Muttaqun (the pious). (Az-Zukhruf 43:67)