The Principle Of Love And Desire : English Translation Of Ibn Taymiyyah's work 'Qa'idah Fil Muhabbah'

The Principle of Love and Desire is an English translation of one of Shaykh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah’s many important  ‘aqīdah works, قاعدة في المحبة / Qa'idah Fil Muhabbah.

In this work, the author explains how love is the basis of every movement that occurs in the universe and every action of Bani Ādam. He explains that love necessitates hate for the things that oppose what one loves, and that this love and hate is the foundation of Islām, tawḥīd, and īmān.

He also discusses many sects that strayed from Allāh’s straight path due to their misunderstanding of this fundamental principle.

 The following are excerpts from the text:

 “The basis of īmān (faith) is loving for Allāh’s sake and hating for Allāh’s sake, so the one who loves for Allāh, hates for Allāh, gives for Allāh, and withholds for Allāh, has completed his īmān.”

 “… and Allāh, the Most High, said

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَتَّخِذُ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ أَندَادًا يُحِبُّونَهُمْ كَحُبِّ اللَّهِ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَشَدُّ حُبًّا لِّلَّهِ

‘And of mankind are some who take (for worship) others besides Allāh as rivals (to Allāh). They love them as they love Allāh. But those who believe love Allāh more (than anything else).’ [Sūrah al-Baqarah 2:165]”

 “…and Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ said:

ثَلاَثٌ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ وَجَدَ بِهِنَّ حَلاَوَةَ الإِيمَانِ مَنْ كَانَ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْهِ مِمَّا سِوَاهُمَا وَأَنْ يُحِبَّ الْمَرْءَ لاَ يُحِبُّهُ إِلاَّ لِلَّهِ وَأَنْ يَكْرَهَ أَنْ يَعُودَ فِي الْكُفْرِ بَعْدَ أَنْ أَنْقَذَهُ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ كَمَا يَكْرَهُ أَنْ يُقْذَفَ فِي النَّارِ

‘There are three qualities, whoever has them will taste the sweetness of īmān: to love Allāh and His Messenger ﷺ more than anyone else; to love a person only for the sake of Allāh; and to hate to return to disbelief after Allāh has saved him from it, as much as he would hate to be thrown into the Fire.’”

[Narrated from Anas RA in Saheeh Al-Bukhari Hadeeth No. 16, Saheeh Muslim Hadeeth No. 43]

“…So every movement and every action in the world is based on love and desire, and every love or desire that is not based on the love for Allāh and the desire to see His Face is futile and corrupt."

Details

Title: The Principle Of Love And Desire : English Translation Of Ibn Taymiyyah's work 'Qa'idah Fil Muhabbah'
Author: Imam Ibn Taymiyyah
Translator: Ishan Gonsalves
Publisher: Authentic Statements Publications - USA
Pages: 291
Volumes: 1
Size:  15.2 cm x 23.8 cm
Binding: Paperback
Edition Number: 2nd
Year Of Publication: 2018
Weight:  0.42 kg

About Author

The author, Taqi al-Din Abu'l -'Abbas Ahmad ibn 'Abdus Salam ibn Taymiyyah al-Harrani (d. 728 AH) was a leading Hanbali scholar and a Mujtahid in his own right. His breadth of learning and depth of understanding was accepted by all of his peers and many of his biographers stated that he clearly surpasses the vast majority, if not all of the scholars of his time. He was a prolific writer and skilled orator. He was deeply religious and unwavering in his adherence to Islam and the Sunnah and repudiating all that opposed it.