BENEFIT: Following the Sunnah: The Proof of True Love

Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: “I am more closer to the believers than their ownselves. So whoever dies while owing a debt and leaves behind nothing to repay it, then it is upon us to settle it. And whoever leaves behind wealth, then it belongs to his heirs.” [Sahih Al-Bukhāri] *Shaykh Yahya Al-Hajūri حفظه الله:* “From this hadith we understand that the statement, ‘I am more closer to the believers than their ownselves,’ is synonymous in meaning with the verse: *“The Prophet is closer to the believers than their ownselves and his wives are their (believers’) mothers (as regards respect and marriage)…”* *{Al-Ahzab (33:6)}* Because of this, one of them (the companions) would say: ‘My father and my mother be sacrificed for you.’ He would see The Prophet ﷺ more worthy to him than his own self, (he would say) ‘My neck is before your neck, O Messenger of Allah.’ The Prophet is closer to the believers than their ownselves. This is true love for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: following him, honoring and venerating him, and putting into practice what he came with. As for those who merely claim love for the Prophet through celebrating the Mawlid (the birthday of the Prophet) they are among the people furthest from implementing the sharī’ah that he ﷺ came with. Their claims are in one valley, while their actions and implementation are in another. (As the poet said): سارت مشرقةً وسرتُ مغرباً She went eastward while I went westward ‏شتـانَ بين مشـرقٍ ومغرّبِ Vast is the distance between east and west. (Meaning: Their claims of love contradict their actions.) lies! Allah says: *Say (O Muhammad ﷺ to mankind): "If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islâmic Monotheism, follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allâh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. {Āl ‘Imran (3:31)}* Whoever truly loves Allah and His Messenger follows the Messenger ﷺ.” _ 13, Muharram 1448 | 29, June 2026 | Sharh Sahih Al-Bukhāri Translated by Rashid Al-Canadi Source: https://t.me/sh_yahia_duroos/24277