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اللَّهُمَّ اغفِرْ لي وللمُؤْمنينَ والمُؤمِناتِ والمُسْلمينَ والمُسْلمَاتِ، وألِّفْ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ، وأصْلِحْ ذَاتَ بَيْنِهمْ وانصُرْهُم عَلى عَدُوِّكَ وعَدُوِّهِمْ، اللَّهُمَّ الْعَنِ الكَفَرَةَ الذينَ يَصُدُّونَ عَن سِبيلكَ،ويُكذِّبونَ رُسُلَكَ، ويُقاتِلُونَ أوْلِياءَك، اللَّهُمَّ خَالِفْ بَيْنَ كَلِمَتِهمْ، وزَلْزِلْ أقْدامَهُمْ، وأنزِلْ بِهِمْ بِأْسَكَ الذي لا تَرُدُّهُ عُنِ القَوْمِ المُجْرِمينَ

Prophet’s Guidance on staying healthy

Preserving one’s good health requires the help of wetness that resists heat. The wetness resists heat while the heat helps mature various substances and rid the body of its wastes. Without wetness, the excessive heat would harm the body and would not allow its organs to function normally, while excessive dryness allows the heat to burn the body and make it dry. Each one of the two conditions, wetness and heat, thus needs the other to sustain and allow the body to function. Furthermore, since the heat feeds on wetness, it preserves the moisture from rotting & decomposing. When one of these two conditions is more dominant than the other, the constitution of body will be altered & changed. Heat decomposes wetness, compelling the body to replace the lost moisture with food and drink, which provides the body with sustenance. When moisture is present in excessive amounts, heat is not able to decompose the excessive wetness and thus the moisture decomposes and rots, causing harm to the body. In this case, various ailments attack the body, as much as the body and the various organs are susceptible to accept these diseases. All these facts are taken from what Allah Said:

وَكُلُواْ وَاشْرَبُواْ وَلاَ تُسْرِفُواْ

"And eat and drink but waste not by extravagance..."

Allah Directs His slaves to consume what helps the body from food and drink and to replace lost energy. The amount [of food and drink] that should be consumed should not exceed what the body has lost plus what the body needs to function properly. Otherwise, the excess food will be an extravagance that brings about ailments and will not preserve the health, and such is the case when one eats excessively or does not consume sufficient amounts.

Therefore, the few words that Allah Stated hold the key to staying healthy. There is no doubt that the body is always going through the process of decomposing and producing waste. The more the decomposition occurs, the less the heat will be effective, since decomposition feeds on moistures (which in turn feed the inner heat). When the heat is weak, digestion's efficiency decreases until the moisture dissipates. Thus the heat will be extinguished and consequently, the term (life span) that the slave was allowed in this life will come to an end.

The goal behind the person seeking a cure for himself and for others is to preserve the body until everyone reaches their final destination (death), not because preserving the necessary moistures and heat will keep the youth and health forever, for this goal is not attainable in this life. The goal that the doctor seeks to achieve entails preserving the existent wetness from what might spoil it and to preserve body's heat from what might weaken its power. The doctor thus preserves the balance between the two powers or conditions in the body, just as Allah Has Created the heaven and earth with justice and perfect balance. In fact, the entire creation thrives on justice and balance.

Those who will study the health guidelines of Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam will find it the best guidance; with which the health of body can and will be preserved. Preserving good health depends on eating and drinking sensibly and on utilizing one’s clothes, place of residence, the air, sleep, being awake, mobility, idleness, sex, extracting the excessive material of the body and keeping whatever is necessary and important in the best form and shape. When these aspects are satisfied in the manner that is suitable for the body, the area, age and custom, the person is more likely to have good health and well being until it is his time to die & move out of this world to the Next (Aakhirah).

Good health is one of the best bounties that Allah Bestows on mankind and one of His best rewards. In fact, good heath is the best earthly bounty of all, and those who have been bestowed with sound comprehension should strive to preserve their health and protect it against what might oppose or alter it.

روى البخارىُّ فى "صحيحه" من حديث ابن عباس، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "نِعْمَتَانِ مَغْبُونٌ فيهما كثيرٌ مِنَ الناس: الصِّحَّةُ والفَرَاغُ"

Bukhari narrated in his Sahih that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) said: "Two bounties regarding which many people cheat themselves are health and free time".

وفى "الترمذى" وغيره من حديث عُبَيْد الله بن مِحصَن الأنصارى، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "مَن أصْبَحَ مُعَافىً فى جَسَدِهِ، آمناً فى سِرْبِهِ، عِنْدَهُ قُوتُ يَوْمِهِ، فكأنما حِيزَتْ لَهُ الدُّنيا".

Furthermore, Tirmizi narrated that Abdullah Bin Mihsan Al-Ansari Radi Allaho Anh reported that The Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) said: "He who reaches the morning while health in his body, safe in his residence and having day’s sustenance, will be as if the entire life of this world was granted to him

وفى "الترمذى" أيضاً من حديث أبى هريرة، عن النبىِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه قال: "أوَّلُ ما يُسْألُ عنه العَبْدُ يومَ القيامَةِ مِنَ النَّعِيم، أن يُقال له: أَلَمْ نُصِحَّ لَكَ جِسْمَكَ، ونُرَوِّكَ مِنَ الماءِ البارد".

Tirmizi also related from Abu Hurayrah Radi Allaho that Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam said; "The first blessing that the slave will be asked about on the Day of Resurrection will be the saying to him, "Have We not made your body healthy and drove away your thirst with cold water"? This is why some of the (righteous predecessors) stated that the Verse:

ثُمَّ لَتُسْئَلُنَّ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَنِ النَّعِيمِ

"Then on that Day, you shall be asked about the delights (you indulged in this world)." (102:8) It is referring to health.

وفيه عن أبى بكر الصِّدِّيق، قال: سمعتُ رسولَ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: "سَلُوا اللهَ اليَقينَ والمُعافاةَ، فما أُوتِىَ أحدٌ بَعْدَ اليقينِ خَيراً من العافية"

In addition, Imam Ahmad narrated that Abu Bakr As-Siddiq Radi Allaho Anh said, I heard the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) saying: "Ask ALLAH for Yaqeen (certainty in Belief) and good health, for indeed, no one will have a better possession after certainty of Faith than good health". Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam joined the well being of this life and the Next Life. Furthermore, the slave’s success cannot be complete in both lives except by joining certainty of faith and well being. Certainty of faith fends off the torments of the Next Life while well being fends off the ailments of this life that might attack the body or the heart.

وفى "سنن النسائى" من حديث أبى هريرة يرفعه: "سَلُوا اللهَ العَفْوَ والعافيةَ والمُعافاة، فما أُوتِىَ أحدٌ بَعْدَ يقينٍ خيراً من مُعافاةٍ"

Nasaa'i narrated that Abu Hurayrah Radi Allaho Anh related from Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam that he said: "Ask Allah for forgiveness, Aafiah (well being) and health. Indeed, no one acquires a better possession after certainty of faith than good health". The three matters mentioned in this Hadith entail removing the sins & ills of the past with forgiveness, of the present with well being and of the future with immunity (from errors and thus from the Torment). Indeed, these words entail the continuity of well being always.

وقال عبد الرحمن بن أبى ليلى: عن أبى الدرداء، قلت: يا رسول الله ؛ لأن أُعافَى فأشكُر أحبُّ إلىَّ من أن أُبتَلى فأصبر، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "ورسولُ اللهِ يُحِبُّ مَعَكَ العافِيَةَ" (حديث ضعيف)

Abdur Rabman bin Abu Laila said that Abu Ad-­Dardaa Radi Allaho Anh said, "O Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam), it is more beloved to me to acquire good health so that I am thankful for it; rather than being tested and then observe patience. Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam said: "The Messenger of Allah likes Aafiah (good health & well being) just like you". (Weak Hadith)

ويُذكر عن ابن عباس أنَّ أعرابياً جاء إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فقال له: ما أسألُ الله بعد الصلواتِ الخمس ؟ فقال: "سَلِ اللهَ العافيةَ"، فأعاد عليه، فقال له فى الثالثة: "سَلِ اللهَ العَافِيةَ فى الدُّنيا والآخرَة".

Further, Ibn Abass Radi Allaho Anh is reported to have narrated; "A Bedouin man came to Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam and said to him, "What should I ask for after I finish the five prayers? Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam said, "Ask Allah for Aafiah ~ good health & well being". The man repeated the question, and our beloved Prophet said to him after the third time. "Ask Allah for Aafiah ~ well being in this and the Next Life".

If this is how significant the health is, we should then mention and study our beloved Prophet’s guidance on preserving health and well being, for we will come to realize that his guidance is the most perfect in this regard. With Prophetic guidance, one attains health of his body and heart and their very existence, both in this world arid in the Next Life. Allah Is Sought for all types of help, and our dependence is on Him, and there is neither power nor strength except from Him.

Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam did not restrict himself to eating one type of food

This would be harmful to one's nature. In addition, the body could face weakness and even death if only one type of food is consumed. Furthermore, when someone is used to only one type of food, his body does not accept any other type. Restricting the diet to only one type of food, even if it is the best type, is harmful and dangerous. Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam used to eat what his people used to eat in their regular diet, such as meat, fruits, bread, dates, etc. When one type of food needed to be made milder, Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam would use its opposite, such as neutralizing the hotness of ripe dates with watermelon. If he did not find what neutralized the effect of a type of food, he would eat of it the necessary amount without excessiveness. When Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam would not like a food, he would simply refrain from eating it and would not enforce himself to have it. This is a great aspect of preserving the health. When one eats what he does not have an appetite for, the food's harm will overweigh its benefit.

قال أنس: ما عابَ رسولُ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم طعاماً قَطُّ، إن اشتهاه أكلَه، وإلا تركه، ولم يأكلْ منه. ولمَّا قُدِّمَ إليه الضَّبُّ المشوىُّ لم يأكلْ منه، فقيل له: أهو حرامٌ ؟ قال: "لا، ولكنْ لم يكن بأرضِ قَوْمى، فأجِدُنى أعافُه"

Anas Radi Allaho Anh said, "Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam never criticized a food. If he had an appetite for it, he ate it. Otherwise, he did not eat from it". When Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam was presented with desert lizard meat (Dhabb), he did not eat from it. Ha was asked, "Is it disallowed"? Ha said: "No, but, this food is not among the foods that my people used to eat, and I do not have an appetite for it".

وكان يحبُّ اللَّحم، وأحبُّه إليه الذراعُ، ومقدم الشاة، ولذلك سُمَّ فيه.وفى "الصحيحين": "أُتِىَ رسولُ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بلحم، فرُفِع إليه الذراع، وكانت تُعجبُه".

Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam used to like eating meat, especially the arm and the upper parts of the sheep. The Jewish woman (Ghazwah Khyber) knew this fact & she added poison in the arms & upper part of the sheep; which she prepared for our beloved Prophet. In the Sahihain, it is narrated that Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam was once brought some meat and that he was given the arm, which he liked.

وذكر أبو عُبيدة وغيره عن ضباعَة بنت الزُّبير، أنها ذَبحتْ فى بيتها شاةً، فأرسل إليها رسولُ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أنْ أطعِمِينا من شاتكم، فقالت للرسول: ما بقىَ عندَنا إلاَّ الرَّقبةُ، وإنى لأستحى أنْ أُرسلَ بها إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فرجع الرسولُ فأخبره، فقال: "ارْجِعْ إليها فقلْ لها: أَرْسِلى بِهَا، فإنَّها هاديةُ الشَّاةِ وأقْرَبُ إلى الخَيْر، وأبعدُها مِنَ الأذَى" (ضعيف)

Furthermore, Abu Ubaidah narrated that Dhiba'ah bint Az-Zubair Radi Allaho Anha said that she slaughtered a sheep in her house. The Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) said to her.

"Feed us from your sheep". She said "Only the neck is left, and I feel shy to send it to the Messenger of Allah".Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam said "Send it, because the neck is the part that guides the sheep and is closer to the good things and far away from the septic things" (Weak Hadith). There is no doubt that the lightest part of the sheep’s meat is NECK, arm and thigh. These parts are the easiest to digest and the softest for the stomach. The method Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam observed in this regard satisfies the three basic rules regarding food, which are, the food being beneficial and helpful to the nature, being light on the stomach and not heavy, and being quickly digested. This is the best type of food to consume and consequently, eating a small part of this food is better than consuming a large amount from other types of food.

Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam used to like eating sweets and honey. Meat, honey and sweets are the best foods and the most beneficial for the body, liver and various organs. In addition, eating these types of food has a profound effect on preserving the health and strength, and that is why only those who are already suffering from an ailment would be harmed by consuming them. 

Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam used to eat bread with whatever condiment happened to be available. Sometimes, he would eat bread with meat, sometimes with watermelon and sometimes with dates. Once, Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam placed a dried date on a piece of bread and said that this (the date) is the condiment of that, the bread. Barley bread is cold and dry while dates are hot and wet, so eating both foods together is one of the wisest decisions, especially for those used to this type of food, such as the people of ­Madinah Al-Munawwarah. Sometimes, Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam would eat bread with vinegar, saying, "What a good condiment vinegar is". The Hadith states that Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam once came to one of his wives and asked if she had any condiment (when they offered him some bread). When she said that they only had vinegar, he said,

نِعْمَ الإدامُ الخَلُّ

"What a good condiment vinegar is".

Eating bread with a condiment preserves the health unlike eating only one type of food. Condiments are called as such because when they are added to the bread, the bread tastes better and the food helps preserve the health.

In addition, Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam used to eat from the fruits that were in season (in his land), as this is one of the best methods of preserving health. Allah’s Wisdom Decided that every land has its own fruits that are suitable and beneficial to that land (when in season). When people consume these fruits, they will help preserve their health and well being and it serves as several medicines. On the other hand, those who refrain from eating the fruits of their area will be among the most ailing persons and the farthest from good health and well being.

Wetness that the various fruits contain represents the favorable heat of the season and land. The stomach would then be able to bring the fruits to maturity and would fend off their harm, if one does not eat them excessively; causing his nature to bear what it can't tolerate. In addition, one should not spoil the food that his stomach is digesting by eating fruits, nor drink water with it. Fruits should be eaten only after the food in the stomach is digested; & this method prevents constipation. Those who consume fruits in the proper manner, the proper time and in the proper conditions, the fruits act as a cure and a remedy for them.

اللَّهُمَّ طَهِّرْ قَلْبِي مِنَ النِّفَاقِ، وعَمَلي مِنَ الرِّيَاءِ، ولِسَاني مِنَ الكَذِبِ، وعَيْنِي مِنَ الخِيَانَةِ، فإنَّكَ تَعْلَمُ خَائِنَةَ الأعْيُنِ ومَا تُخْفِي الصُّدُورُ. اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنِي عَيْنَيْنِ هَطَّالَتَيْنِ تَسْقِيانِ القَلْبِ بِذُرُوفِ الدَّمْعِ مِن خَشْْيَتِكَ قبْلَ أنْ تكُونَ الدُّمُوعُ دَمَاً والأضْرَاسُ جَمْراً

Prophet’s Guidance on treating Passion

PASSION (Ishq ~ عشق)  is a disease that attacks the heart. Yet, it is a different type of disease concerning its symptoms, causes, and cure. When this ailment becomes acute, the doctors will not be able to cure it nor will the one afflicted be able to bear its effects. Allah Has Mentioned the subject of passion concerning two types of people; women and lovers of beardless boys. For instance, Allah Mentioned the story of the wife of Aziz (Ruler of Egypt) and Prophet Yusuf Alaih-as-Salaam. He also Mentioned the second type about the nation of Prophet Lut Alaih-as-Salaam, as He Said about them when the angels came to visit Prophet Lut Alaih-as-Salaam.

وَجَاءَ أَهْلُ الْمَدِينَةِ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ قَالَ إنَّ هَؤُلآءِ ضيفىَ فَلاَ تَفْضَحُونِ وَاتَّقُواْ اللهَ وَلاَ تُخْزُونِ قَالُواْ أَوَ لَمْ نَنْهَكَ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ قَالَ هَؤُلآءِ بَنَاتِى إن كُنْتُمْ فَاعِلِينَ لَعَمْرُكَ إنَّهُمْ لَفِى سَكْرَتِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ [الحجر: 68-73]

"And the inhabitants of the city came; rejoicing (at the news of the young men’s arrival. Lut Alaih-as-Salaam said: "Verily, these are my guests, so shame me not and fear Allah and disgrace me not". They (people of the city) said: Did we not forbid you from entertaining (or protecting) any of the Aalameen (people, foreigners and strangers from us)? Lut Alaih-as-Salaam said: These (the girls of the nation) are my daughters (to marry lawfully), if you must act (so). Verily; by your life (O Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam), in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly. (15:67-72)

There is a false claim that was started by those who do not give due respect and appreciation to our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam), stating that our beloved Prophet once saw Zainab Bint Jahsh Radi Allaho Anha and said, "All praise to He Who Changes the hearts as He Wills". They also claim that Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam was inflicted with this disease (Nau'uzu Billah)), passion, and that his heart liked her. In fact, Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam commanded Zaid Radi Alaho Anh to keep her and not divorce her, until Allah Revealed:

وَإذْ تَقُولُ لِلَّذِى أَنْعَمَ اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَأَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْسِكْ عَلَيْكَ زَوْجَكَ وَاتَّقِ اللهَ وَتُخْفِى فِى نَفْسِكَ مَا اللهُ مُبْدِيهِ وَتَخْشَى النَّاسَ وَاللهُ أَحَقُّ أَن تَخْشَاهُ [الأحزاب: 37]

And (remember) when you said to him (Zaid bin Harithah Radi Allaho Anh ~ the freed slave of Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) on whom Allah Has Bestowed grace (by guiding him to Islam) and you (O Muhammad too) have done favor (by manumitting him): "Keep your wife to yourself and fear Allah. But you did hide in yourself (i.e., what Allah Has already Made known to you that He will Give her to you in marriage) that which Allah will Make manifest, you did fear the people (i.e.. their saying that Muhammad married the divorced wife of his manumitted slave) whereas Allah Had a better right that you should fear Him. (33:37)

Those who uttered this false claim also claimed that the Ayah is talking about passion. Consequently, some of them collected a book about passion in which they mentioned several Prophets who were afflicted with this disease, including Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam. This is an utter ignorance of such people; for the Quran and the Messengers; and a misunderstanding that alters the true meaning of Allah’s Words. Furthermore, this false claim accuses Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam with what he is truly innocent of.

Zaid bin Harithah Radi Allaho Anh, whom our beloved Prophet had adopted before Islam until he was called Zaid bin Muhammad, married Zainab bint Jahsh Radi Allaho Anha. She was not humble with her husband and he asked the Prophet's advice if he should divorce her. The Messenger of Allah (Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) said to him:

"أَمْسِكْ عليكَ زوجَكَ واتَّقِ الله"

"Keep your wife to yourself; and fear Allah".

Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam thought that if Zaid would otherwise divorce her, he would marry her after him. But, Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam hid this thought in his heart because he feared what the people might say if he married the ex-­wife of his adopted son. This is why Allah Mentioned in this Ayah His favors on Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam and Commanded him not to fear what the people might say in doing what Allah Has Allowed for him. Allah also Reminded him that it is He Whom the Prophet (Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) should fear, so he should not be hesitant in doing what Allah Has Allowed for him, (because of the fear of what the people might say).

Furthermore, Allah Informed our beloved Prophet (Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) that He Has Given Zainab (Radi Allaho Anha) to him in marriage after Zaid Radi Allaho Anh had divorced her; so that his nation may imitate him when they know that the man is allowed to marry the ex-­wife of his adopted son. This is why Allah Said:

وَحَلاَئِلُ أَبْنَائِكُمُ الَّذِينَ مِنْ أَصْلاَبِكُمْ [النساء:23]

"And the wives of your sons who (spring) from your own loins are forbidden for you to marry". (4:23) And in the Surah (chapter) Ahzaab, Allah Said:

مَا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَا أَحَدٍ مِّن رِّجَالِكُمْ [الأحزاب: 40]

Muhammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) is not the father of any of your men.” (33:40) In the beginning of Surah Ahzaab, Allah Said :

وَمَا جَعَلَ أَدْعِيَاءَكُمْ أَبْنَاءَكُمْ، ذَلِكُمْ قَوْلُكُم بِأَفْوَاهِكُمْ [الأحزاب: 4]

"Nor Has He made your adopted Sons your real sons. That is but your saying with your mouths". (33:4)

Therefore, think deeply about Allah’s defense of Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam that refuted the false accusation directed at him. All success comes from Allah.

Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam used to love his wives, especially Aishah Radi Allaho Anha being the most beloved to him among them. Yet, his love for them did not reach the level of perfect love, which he reserved for his Lord. Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam once said:

"لو كنتُ مُتَّخِذاً من أهل الأرض خليلاً لاتَّخَذْتُ أبا بكرٍ خليلاً"

"If I was going to take an intimate friend from people of the earth, I would have taken Abu Bakr (Radi Allaho Anh)". And in another narration, he said:

وفى لفظ: "وإنَّ صَاحِبَكُم خَلِيلُ الرَّحْمَن"

"Your friend (himself Muhammad) is the intimate friend of the Most Beneficent".

Having passion towards images only afflicts empty hearts

This affects hearts that are deprived of the love of Allah, ignoring Him and preferring someone else. When the heart is full of the love of Allah and eagerness to meet Him, this love will fend off the disease of love and passion for images. This is why Allah Said about Prophet Yusuf Alaih-as-Salaam.

كَذَلِكَ لِنَصْرِفَ عَنْهُ السُّوءَ وَالْفَحْشَاءَ، إنَّهُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا الْمُخْلَصِينَ [يوسف: 24]

"Thus it was that We might Turn away from him evil and illegal sexual intercourse. Surely, he was one of Our chosen, (guided) slaves". (I 2:24)

This Ayah indicated that sincerity is a cause and a remedy that drives away passion which might lead to sin and fornication, which is the culmination of passion. When the cause behind the disease is repelled, the effects of the disease will also be repelled. Some of our Salaf once described passion that it is the act of a heart that is empty of everything except what it has a passion for. Allah Said:

وَأَصْبَحَ فُؤَادُ أُمِّ مُوسَى فَارِغاً [القصص: 11]، إن كَادَتْ لَتُبْدِى بِهِ أى: فارغاً من كل شىء إلا من موسى لفرطِ محبتها له، وتعلُّقِ قلبها به

"And the heart of the mother of Musa ~ Moses (Alaih-as-Salaam) became empty (from every thought, except the thought of Musa (Moses). She was very near to disclosing his case". (28:10)

This Ayah indicated that the heart of Musa's mother (Alaih-as-Salaam) was empty of every concern except for her child, because of her great love for him and her heart’s affection for him. Passion has two parts, loving an object and an eagerness to possess the loved object. When one of these two parts does not exist, then passion does not exist either.

The ailment of passion has caused bafflement to many wise people and some of them issued some statements in this regard that should not be taken seriously.

We say that Allah’s Wisdom Has Decided regarding His creation that there are similarities that occur between things and people, and that the things and people are driven to their likes and to avoid what is not similar to them. The secret to the harmony; that occurs in the world is due to the similarities between various creations. Various things (and people) thus lean towards similar objects, while dissimilar objects ignore each other. Allah Said:

هُوَ الَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَجَعَلَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا لِيَسْكُنَ إلَيْهَا [الأعراف: 189]

"It is He Who Has Created you from a single person (Adam). And (then) He Has Created from him his wife Hawwa (Eve), in order that he might enjoy the pleasure of living with her. (7:189)

Allah Has Made this the reason why man feels attracted and consequently passionate for woman. She is similar to him in essence. The reason for the attraction (between men and women) is not only the beauty of the image, but the similarity in habits, goals, guidance and mannerism, all of which help ignite passion.

In the Sahih, it is narrated that Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam said:

وقد ثبت فى "الصحيح" عن النبىِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه قال: "الأرْواحُ جُنُودٌ مُجَنَّدةٌ، فما تَعارَفَ منها ائْتلَف، وما تَناكَرَ منها اخْتَلَفَ"

"The souls are just like recruited soldiers. Those who recognize each other will be intimate and those who do not recognize each other will be apart".

وفى "مسند الإمام أحمد" وغيره فى سبب هذا الحديث: أنَّ امرأة بمكةَ كانت تُضِحكُ الناسَ، فجاءت إلى المدينة، فنزلتْ على امرأة تُضِحكُ الناسَ، فقال النبىُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم: "الأرواحُ جُنُودٌ مُجَنَّدَةٌ"... الحديثَ

Also, Imam Ahmad narrated in his Musnad the reason behind this Hadith: "A woman in Makkah used to be able to make people laugh and when she came to Al-Madinah; she resided with a woman who also used to be able to make people in Al-Madinah laugh. Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam said: "The souls are just like recruited soldiers".

The religion of Allah gives the same rulings to similar matters and thus does not differentiate between similar matters nor join between dissimilar matters. Those who think to the contrary are mistaken due to their lack of knowledge (of the religion), or lack of effort on their part to acquire knowledge on the subject of similarities and dissimilarities. Or, their error comes from relating to the religion what is not a part of it; without the authority that can justify it. With Allah’s Wisdom and Justice, His creation and command have been established by equating similar things and differentiating between dissimilar things. This fact is true both in this life and on the Day of Resurrection. Allah Said:

احْشُرُواْ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ وَأَزْوَاجَهُمْ وَمَا كَانُواْ يَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللهِ فَاهْدُوهُمْ إلَى صِرَاطِ الْجَحِيمِ [الصافات: 22]

(It will be said to the angels): "Assemble those who did wrong, together with their companions (from the devils) and what they used to worship instead of Allah. And lead them on to the way of flaming Fire (Hell)". (Chapter 37 ~ Verses 22.23) Also, Allah Said:

وَإذَا النُّفُوسُ زُوِّجَتْ [التكوير: 7]

"And when the souls shall be joined with their partners". (The good with the good and the bad with the bad)." (81:7)

This Ayah indicates that each person will be tied to his likes. Those who have love for each other for Allah’s sake will be together in Paradise, while those who love each other for the devil’s sake will be together in Hell. One is with those whom he likes, whether he likes it or not. Al-Hakim narrated that Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam said:

وفى "مستدرك الحاكم" وغيره عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم: "لا يُحِبُّ المَرءُ قَوْماً إلاَّ حُشِرَ مَعَهُم

"If a man loves a people / nation, he will be gathered with them (on the Day of Resurrection)".

There are several types of love. The best and most honorable of them is love for the sake of Allah, which requires loving what He Loves and also loving Him and His Messenger (Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam).

Another type of love is that which occurs when the parties to it have a similar religion or way, or theology, or sect, or relation, or craft, or a goal that they both seek. Another type of love is what occurs when one loves to acquire a matter that the loved object has, whether a position, money, knowledge, or any other purpose that he seeks. This is material love that dissipates when the goal is reached. Indeed, he who likes you for a material purpose goes away when his goal is accomplished.

The love that results because of similarities between the two parties does not fade away unless there is a reason that makes it fade away. This type of love includes passion; because it is a love that the soul and the heart share. No other ailment can cause more profound effects on those afflicted; of obsession, weakness, concern and even destruction like passion.

If one says that since the reason behind affection is what you have stated, the souls being connected and compatible, why is it not always exchanged between the two parties? Sometimes, love is one sided, although you stated that the reason for it is the similarity and the compatibility between the souls.

The answer is that there are reasons that arise and prevent the love from being exchanged by both sides. One-sided love is the result of one of three reasons: a deficiency in the love because it is accidental and not real. In this case, the loved person might even feel dislike for the other party. Second, sometimes the loved person might be the cause for the love to be one-sided, such as a deficiency in his mannerism, shape, path, actions, appearance, and so forth. Third, due to a specific reason that prevents the loved person from sharing the same feelings with each other.

When these reasons are not present, and the love is thus real, love will be shared by both parties.

Arrogance, envy, loving various possessions and enmity by the disbelievers were the main reasons why the Messengers were not more beloved by them (disbelievers) than their own selves, families and off-spring. When these barriers were removed from the hearts of the Messenger's followers, their love for the Messengers was indeed more than the love they had for their own selves, wives, children and wealth.

Attainment of one’s love object is its cure and other cures for love

The subject is that since love is one of the ailments in general, it does have a cure or several cures. If the lover has a legal path to take for attaining his loved object, it will be his cure. In the Sahihain, it is narrated that lbn Masud Radi Allaho Anh reported that Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam said:

ثبت فى "الصحيحين" من حديث ابن مسعود رضى الله عنه، قال: قال رسولُ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "يا معشر الشَّبَاب ؛ مَن استطاع منكم الباءةَ فلْيتزوَّج، ومَن لم يستطِعْ فعليه بالصَّوْم، فإنَّه له وِجَاءٌ

"O young people! Whoever amongst you can afford marriage, let him marry. Those who cannot afford it should resort to fasting. For it will be a cure for them".

Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam has directed people to the best methods for obtaining what they love, a major and a minor method. He ordered the men to resort to the first choice which is marriage; a perfect cure for this disease. Thus, people should not prefer other solutions to the solution that Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam recommended.

Ibn-e-Majah narrated that Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam said:

وروى ابن ماجه فى "سننه" عن ابن عباس رضى الله عنهما، عن النبىِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أنه قال: "لَمْ نَرَ للمُتحابَّيْنِ مِثْلَ النِّكاح

"We never saw anything like marriage for lovers". This is the meaning that Allah Indicated when He Allowed (in marriage) both the free and slave women when needed. Allah Said:

يُرِيدُ اللهُ أَن يُخَفِّفَ عَنْكُمْ، وَخُلِقَ الإنْسَانُ ضَعِيفاً [النساء: 28]

"Allah Wishes to Lighten (the burden) for you; and man was created weak (cannot be patient to leave sexual intercourse with woman)". (4:28)

Therefore, Allah Mentioned man’s weakness in this Ayah and Stated that He Has Made matters easy for him by allowing him to marry one, two, three or four women. He also Allowed for him slave women in marriage if he wishes, so as to treat this ailment, passion, to cure the weakness in mankind and as an act of mercy (from Him) to His slaves.

When no legal method exists for the lover to attain his love object

If there is no legal method that the lover can attain his loved object, or because of his inability to do so or both, then passion will become a difficult disease in this case and the afflicted person needs to feel that he cannot satisfy it. It is a fact that when the heart feels hopelessness in something, it will no longer seek to acquire it. If the passion still exists even under these hopeless conditions, then the nature of person would have deviated and the person needs to try another solution (that is), attending to his state of mind. The person afflicted by passion should convince himself that his heart's affection with what it cannot attain constitutes madness, and that this case is similar to whoever loves the sun, the only way to acquire it is to ascend to it! Everyone understands that this is madness. If one cannot attain his loved object because of a legal barrier that the religion erected, he should convince himself that acquiring his passion is not feasible because Allah did not Allow it to happen. He should know that for his safety, he should abandon such a matter and be certain that it is virtually impossible that he will ever attain it.

If one’s whose heart orders him to do evil does not comply with these cures, let the slave abandon the matter for fear of losing whoever is more beloved to him, more beneficial and who offers a longer period of contentment and joy. In this case, the afflicted person will come to realize the difference between the two objects. Therefore, one should not prefer the joy of an hour; that would soon turn to pain compared to eternal joy that is incomparable. Reality of the short-lived joy is that it is a daydream or a mirage that will soon end and fade away, but the responsibility would remain.

Also, one should realize that this might lead to a hateful loss that is worse for him than losing the coveted object, and thus his loss would multiply, losing the coveted object and acquiring a hateful outcome. When one realizes these facts, then losing the coveted object becomes less serious in his heart and being patient becomes more worthwhile. The mind, religion, honor and human nature then require the afflicted person to be patient in the face of losing a lesser loved object, for in this case, patience would soon earn him joy, contentment and happiness. On the other hand, one’s ignorance, transience, injustice and immaturity will order him to prefer the lesser coveted object (whatever the cost). Those to whom Allah Gives immunity will be saved from this.

When one’s heart does not accept this solution and dislikes using the remedy that we mentioned, let him think about what evil repercussions (satisfying his lusts) would bring about and what gains it would cause him to lose. He should realize that satisfying his lust is the major cause of an evil outcome in this life, as it prevents the slave from using his mind that is the controller of his actions and which should be used to lead him to benefit instead.

If one's heart still does not accept the remedy we mentioned, let him remember the shortcomings and unlikable characteristics of the coveted object, so that he might dislike the object as well. When one thinks about this subject, he will realize that such shortcomings supersede the good qualities that made him like that object. Let him also ask the neighbors of his loved one about what he does not know of their attributes and behavior. It is a fact that as much as the good qualities drive loved ones closer, the shortcomings drive them apart. Then, one should weigh the two sides and choose the best and most beloved path to adopt. He should not be among those who are deceived by the color of an otherwise leprous skin. Let one think beyond the beautiful exterior to the true reality of things. Let one look beyond the beautiful shape to the inner evil of the heart.

If all of these remedies do not work, there will be no resort except seeking Allah Who Answers the calls of those in distress when they invoke Him. Let him throw himself before Allah's Door; seeking His Help with humbleness, humility and meekness. Those who are led to this type of success should act honorably and keep their affair a secret, so as not to expose the loved one to the people and cause them harm, or else he will be committing a transgression and an injustice.