Description
The Principles of Love and Desire
By Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah
Translator: Ishan Gonsalves
Publisher: Authentic Statements Publication
The Principles of Love and Desire is one of the key works by Ibn Taymiyyah on ‘aqīdah (Islamic theology). In this profound text, he explores the foundational role of love in the universe and in the lives of human beings. According to Ibn Taymiyyah, love drives every action and movement, and it is deeply intertwined with the core tenets of Islam, including tawhīd (monotheism) and īmān (faith).
Ibn Taymiyyah explains that love naturally entails hatred for what opposes that which one loves. This dynamic of love and hate is central to understanding faith and is a key factor in distinguishing true believers from those who have deviated from the path of Allah due to misunderstandings of this principle.
Key Excerpts:
On the basis of faith (īmān):
“The basis of īmān (faith) is loving for Allah’s sake and hating for Allah’s sake. So, the one who loves for Allah, hates for Allah, gives for Allah, and withholds for Allah, has completed his īmān.”
Ibn Taymiyyah
On the love of Allah and the rivalry of others:
Allah, 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 Allah as rivals (to Allah). They love them as they love Allah. But those who believe love Allah more (than anything else).”
Sūrah al-Baqarah 2:165
On the sweetness of faith:
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“There are three qualities, whoever has them will taste the sweetness of īmān: to love Allah and His Messenger ﷺ more than anyone else; to love a person only for the sake of Allah; and to hate to return to disbelief after Allah has saved him from it, as much as he would hate to be thrown into the Fire.”
Hadith (Bukhari & Muslim)
On the essence of love and desire:
“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 Allah and the desire to see His Face is futile and corrupt.”
Ibn Taymiyyah
This work not only offers spiritual insights but also practical wisdom on aligning one’s desires and actions with the love of Allah, urging readers to reflect on their deepest motivations and the purity of their intentions.
