The True Price of Divine Love

In true divine love, you do not ask anything from the Beloved; you only give; you do not demand anything; you only serve. Shaykh Hammad Mustafa Al-madani Al-qadri
Only when you remove every trace of relationship and attachment to this world from your heart can the light of divine love shine in your heart. Shaykh Hammad Mustafa Al-qadri

Introduction:

Divine love, or Mahabbah, is not merely a fleeting emotion but a profound state of being that transforms the very core of a believer. Drawing from the wisdom of great spiritual masters like Imam Abul Hassan al-dailami and Al-Shibli, Shaykh Hammad Mustafa al-Madani elucidates that true love for Allah subhanahu wa'ta'ala requires a complete surrender of the self. It is a journey that moves beyond words and demands a price that only the most devoted are willing to pay.

The Essence of Constant Remembrance and Obedience:

According to the scholars, the nature of divine love is rooted in the constant remembrance of the Beloved and the sacrifice of everything under all conditions. The true essence of this love is absolute obedience and conformity to the Beloved’s teachings. A person who neglects the commands of the Divine cannot be counted among the list of true lovers, as love and disobedience cannot coexist in a heart truly devoted to the Creator.

The Consuming Nature of Divine Affection:

A divine lover reaches a state where the heart’s affection becomes so overwhelming that it cannot be fully grasped or expressed by the tongue. This love is so consuming that it leads to a state of self-forgetfulness; whether the lover is in a bustling market, a dense forest, or on a mountain peak, their surroundings fade away. They forget where they came from and where they are going, as their entire existence is absorbed in the remembrance of the Beloved.

The Condition of a Purified Heart:

One of the most vital conditions for achieving divine love is the removal of worldly attachments. The sources state that Allah has forbidden His love upon those whose hearts are still tied to the distractions of this world. Only when a seeker erases every trace of worldly relationships and connections can the heart become a clean vessel, ready for the light of divine love to shine within it.

Unconditional Devotion and Selfless Service:

Unlike worldly love, which is often conditional and based on a “give and take” dynamic, the love of Allah is limitless and unconditional. In the realm of true divine love, the seeker does not demand anything from the Beloved nor do they seek to fulfill personal desires. Instead, the lover’s role is solely to give, to serve, and to offer themselves completely without expecting anything in return.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the price of divine love is the total emptying of the heart from everything other than the Divine. It is a state of absolute servitude where the individual’s identity is lost in the glory of the Creator. To be a divine lover is to move from the world of demands to the world of offerings, ensuring that every breath and action is a testament to the Beloved’s presence.

Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Chishti (Research Scholar)