Power Of Dua

The dua can change our life, our outlook, and our fate. It is the most potent weapon of a believer. Once Prophet Muhammad(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) passed by a people who were suffering from some affliction. "Why don't they make dua (pray ) to Allah for protection," he said. With all the suffering and disasters Muslims are facing in various parts of the world, the question can be directed to all of us today.

It is not that we have forgotten dua completely; we refer to it regularly. But, our ideas and practice regarding dua have become distorted. Often it is reduced to the level of a ritual. Generally it is considered when all our efforts have failed --- an act of last resort. It is belittled through actions and sometimes even with words. Is it any wonder that today mostly a mention of dua is meant to indicate the hopelessness of a situation.

What a tragedy, for dua is the most potent weapon of a believer. It can change fate, while no action of ours ever can. It is the essence of ibadah or worship. With it we can never fail; without it we can never succeed. In the proper scheme of things, dua should be the first and the last resort of the believer, with all his plans and actions coming in between.

Dua is conversation with Allah, out Creator, our Lord and Master, the All Knowing, the All Powerful. This act in itself is of extraordinary significance. It is the most uplifting, liberating, empowering, and transforming conversation a person can ever have. We turn to Him because we know that He alone can lift our sufferings and solve our problems. We feel relieved after describing our difficulties to our Creator. We feel empowered after having communicated with the AlMighty. We sense His mercy all around us after talking to the Most Merciful. We get a new commitment to follow His path for that is the only path for success. We feel blessed with each such commitment

In every difficulty our first action is dua, as is our last. We ask Allah to show us the way to handle that difficulty; we seek His help in following the path He shows to us; we seek His aid in making our efforts successful. When we fall sick, we know that we cannot find the right doctor without His Will; that the best doctor may not be able to diagnose our condition without His Command; that the best treatment plan will not succeed without His Permission. We make dua for all of these. We make dua before we seek medical help, while we are receiving it and after it has been delivered. The same is true of all other difficulties we may encounter.

Dua is the essence of ibadah. A person engaged in dua affirms his belief in Tawheed (monotheism) and shuns belief in all false gods. With each dua his belief in Allah grows. He beseeches Him, affirming his own powerlessness. A person seriously and sincerely engaged in dua understands exactly the relationship between himself and the Creator and affirms it through his actions. That is the essence of worship! Additionally, such a person can never become arrogant or proud, a logical result of true worship.

Dua is conversation with Allah … It is the most uplifting, liberating, empowering, and transforming conversation a person can ever have.

Dua is our most potent weapon in all struggles of life as well as in jihad in the battlefield. During the battle of Badr, the Prophet Muhammad(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) stood up all night in prayer seeking Allah's help in the battle between unequal armies that would follow the next day. In the decisive battles against the crusaders, Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi was busy day and night. His days were devoted to Jihad. His nights were spent making dua, crying, seeking Allah's help. This has been the practice of all true mujahideen.

We should make it a point to make dua for all things big and small. It is the beginning of wisdom to realize that big and small are arbitrary labels that are totally irrelevant in this context. Nothing is too big for Whom we are asking from; nothing is too small for the one who is asking. That is why we have been taught to ask Allah when we need something as small as shoelaces. We should ask as a beggar, as a destitute person, for that is what we in reality are in relationship to Allah. At the same time we should ask with great hope and conviction that we shall be granted our prayers. We should remember the Hadith: "There is nothing more dear to Allah than a servant making dua to Him." On the other hand, a prayer lacking concentration and conviction is no prayer at all.

We should make dua at all times, not only during times of distress. The Prophet Muhammad(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: "Whosoever desires that Allah answers his duas in unfavorable and difficult conditions, he should make plentiful dua in days of ease and comfort." Also he said: "The person who does not ask from Allah, Allah becomes angry with him."

We should ask for all of our needs: those related to this world as well as those related to the Hereafter. Those who only concentrate on the former are, in effect, announcing that they don't care for their life in the permanent abode. They should blame no body but themselves for the total ruin in that world that Qur'an assures us awaits them. Those who only concentrate on the later are also showing lack of balance, for we need Allah's help to lead a good life here as well.

We should make dua not only for ourselves but also for our parents, brothers and sisters, spouses and children, relatives and friends, teachers and other benefactors, and destitute and struggling Muslims everywhere. We should pray for them for the good in this world as well as in the Hereafter. The Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: "The dua of a Muslim for his brother (in Islam) in his absence is readily accepted. An angel is appointed to his side. Whenever he makes a beneficial dua for his brother the appointed angel says, 'Aameen. And may you also be blessed with the same.'" [Sahih Muslim]

In the dark ages that we are living in today, everyday brings fresh news about atrocities committed against our brothers and sisters in Palestine, Kashmir, India, Afghanistan, Iraq, Chechnya, and the list goes on. And what do we do? We can continue to just feel frustrated and depressed. We can petition the determined perpetrators or a fictional "International Community". We can just forget all this and move on to some other subject. Or we can stand up before Allah and pray for His help, who alone can help. The dua can change our life, our outlook, and our fate. It is the most potent weapon. But it works only for those who try sincerely and seriously to use it.

Unnecessary obstacles to marriage

 

Young women have many hopes and dreams. Among the most important of these dreams focus upon their future husbands, the men who are going to be their partners through the long and arduous journey of life. Some girls want their husbands to be young and handsome. Others prefer men who are gentle and romantic. Still others want their husbands to be rich or famous.

These dreams are sometimes beset by obstacles that prevent the young woman from ever realizing them, obstacles to marriage that are uncalled for and unnecessary. Among the most important of these are the following:

1. Studies: This can take many years, depending on the program of study undertaken and the desired degree goals. In truth, a woman’s marriage is not incompatible with her furthering her studies. What it needs is for there to be an understanding from the onset between the husband and wife about the matter of her studies.

This is part of facing up to our changing circumstances. There are many destructive influences that beset our young men and women today. The mass media has an overwhelming effect. The world is more open. Early marriage has become more of a necessity for our young men and women than it has ever been before. It needs to be given priority. A young woman should give the matter her attention, as should her parents.

2. The father: A father may turn away prospective suitors for his daughters for many reasons. These reasons might be financial or cultural. Sometimes the father insists that his daughter marry one of her cousins or no one else.

Consider the following examples:

• A woman over 30 years of age complains that her father has a distorted sense of his own greatness and sees himself as a man of considerable importance and status. He refuses to marry his daughter to anyone except a man who satisfies his standards. Such a man will never come.

• A university graduate who works and is obliged to give her monthly salary over to her father in full is prevented by her father from ever marrying for reasons that are obvious.

A father prohibiting his daughter from marriage is a terrible crime that makes the skin crawl. Even if the father’s faith is weak and he is not God-fearing, we would think that he would have some humanity or mercy in his heart. We find more mercy exhibited by wild animals for their children. While this father sleeps comfortably in his room with his wife at his side, his grown up daughters are tossing and turning restlessly in their beds, because they are being denied the greatest of physical blessings that Allah has placed within us the drive to seek out.

Allah is speaking to every believer when He says:

“...do not prevent them from marrying their husbands, if they mutually agree on reasonable basis. This (instruction) is an admonition for him among you who believes in Allah and the Last Day. That is more virtuous and purer for you. Allah knows and you know not.” (Qur’an, 2:232)

So where are those who believe in Allah and the Last Day?

Preventing one’s daughters from marrying suitable men with whom they are pleased is a serious form of oppression. Friends and relatives need to intervene in order to help those women and free them from their confinement. If this does not happen, then the courts need to intervene. Social and governmental agencies should be mobilized to protect women who are being prevented from marriage and confront the transgression of those fathers.

It is true that most fathers are merciful and feel compassion for their daughters and it is allowed for them to prevent their daughters from marrying certain suitors when they have a valid reason to do so. However, there are situations – though they may be few in number, they are seriously painful for the women involved – where outside intervention is needed. In many cases, the daughter will be unable to speak up in her own defense or voice a complaint.

This is because she fears destroying her relationship with her father or fears that her reputation will be tarnished. She might not have any opportunity to leave her from home in the first place or to speak to anyone who can air her grievances on her behalf. In this way she can spend her whole life and waste her youth in bitter waiting.

3. The man: The young man who wishes to get married wants a beautiful wife, and beauty to him is what his eyes have grown accustomed to seeing in the movies and on television. He wants her to be fair of complexion, tall, and young. He wants her to have the beauty of a fashion model, the piety of the Prophet’s Companions, and the wealth of a tycoon, without him having to exert any effort on his part. He needs to come down to earth.

This may be one of the negative effects of constantly watching movies and programs that cause our young people to live in a fantasy world that has no connection whatsoever with reality. Even if a young man lowers his unrealistic standards, he remains in distress and this puts a strain on his future relationship with his wife.

Allah tells us: “O you who believe! Follow not Satan’s footsteps: if any will follow the footsteps of Satan, he will (but) command what is shameful and wrong.” (Qur’an, 24:21)

4. Exuberant costs: Heavy expenditures for marriage as well as numerous and excessive material demands place a great burden upon the shoulders of young men, forcing them to turn away from the prospect of marriage.

The postponement of marriage is a hindrance that everyone must work together to solve. It has to be addressed publicly by scholars, orators, intellectuals, public figures, and reformers. The means to marriage need to be simplified. Institutions need to be established to facilitate marriages materially, socially, and on a personal level.

The Most Comprehensive Lecture of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Hadhrat Uqba bin Aamir Juhani(RA) reports that when they left with Prophet Muhammad(Pbuh) for Tabuk, they were a day away from their destination and Prophet Muhammad(Pbuh)(and the companions (RAA)) fell asleep (one night) and did not get up until the sun had already risen the length of a spear (above the horizon).

"0 Bilaal!" Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) said, "Did I not tell you to check for us when dawn arrives (and then awaken us for Fajr)?"

Hadhrat Bilaal (RA) "0 Rasulullah (SAW) The same sleep that whisked you away whisked me away as well." Rasulullaah(SAW) moved a little distance away and then led the (Qadhaa) salaah. Thereafter, he duly praised Allaah before saying,

• "Indeed the most truthful speech is Allaah's Book and the most secure handhold is the Kalimah of Taqwa.
• The best of creeds is the creed of Ibraheem(Abraham PBUH),
• the best of ways is the Sunnah of Muhammad(SAW),
• the most honourable dialogue is the Dhikr of Allaah and the best narrative is this Qur'aan.
• The best of matters are the most resolute ones, while the worst of them are the fabricated ones.
• The best guidance is the guidance of the Arnbiyaa(Prophets),
• the best death is that of the martyrs and the blindest of blindness is to go astray after receiving guidance.
• The best knowledge is that which is beneficial, the best directive is that which is followed and the worst blindness is the blindness of the heart.
• The upper (giving) hand is better than the lower (receiving) hand and that wealth
• which is sufficient though little is better than that which is plenty, but which makes the owner negligent of Allaah.
• The worst time to ask to be excused is at the time of death and the worst regret will be on the Day of Qiyaamah.
• There are some people who perform their salaahs only after its time and there are others who make Dhikr while,totally detached (from the consciousness of Allaah).
• The worst sin is the lying tongue,
• the best wealth is contentment of heart
• and the best of provisions is Taqwa.
• The fountainhead of wisdom is fear for Allaah
• and the best thing to have its roots in the heart is conviction.
• Being doubtful stems from Kufr, wailing(on the occasion of death) is an act from the Period of Ignorance,
• stealing from the booty is from the mounds of Jahannam
• and hoarded wealth shall be hot branding irons.
• Poetry is amongst the flutes of Iblees,
  
• wine is the root of all sin,
• women are the traps of Shaytaan(SATAM)
• and youth is a branch of insanity.
• The worst of all forms of earning are earnings from interest
• and the worst of things to consume is the wealth of orphans.
• The fortunate person is he who takes a lesson from (what happens to) others
• and the unfortunate person is he who was unfortunate from the time he was in the belly of his mother.
• Each one of you shall be ending up in a place measuring four arm's lengths,
• a matter is evaluated by the way it ends and actions are judged by those that take place at the end of a person's life.
• The worst of narrations are those that are lies and
• everything that is pending is' really close by.
• Verbally abusing a Mu'min is a grave sin,
• killing a Mu'min is tantamount to'kufr,
• eating his flesh(backbiting about him) is to insolently disobey Allaah and his wealth is as sacred as his blood.
• The person who falsely swears in Allaah's name, Allaah will make him a liar. Allaah will forgive those who forgive, will overlook the faults of those who overlook the faults of others and will reward the one who swallows his anger. Allaah will compensate the person who exercises patience when afflicted with a calamity
• and for the person who seeks fame (for his good deeds), Allaah will announce it
• to the people(on the Day of Qiyaamah, making them aware of his selfish
• intentions).
• Allaah will multiply the rewards of those who persevere in fulfilling
• Allaah's commands and punish those who disobey them.

0 Allaah forgive me and my Ummah.

0 Allaah forgive me and my Ummah.

0 Allaah forgive me and my Ummah.

I seek Allaah's pardon for myself and for all of you."

Reported By:

Hadhrat Uqba bin Aamir Juhani(RA)

Reference:

(1) Bukhaari and Muslim, a s quoted in Targheeb wat Tarheeb (Vo1.5Pg.226).

(2) Ibn Abi Haatim, a s quoted in the Takeerof Ibn Katheer (Vo1.3Pg.159).

(3) Ibn Abi Dunya and Ibn Najjaar, a s quoted in Kanzul Ummaal(Vol.2 Pg.143).

(4) Haakim (Vo1.4 Pg.436), reporting from reliable sources a s confirmed by Dhahabi.

(5)Hasan bin Sufyaan and Abu Nu'aym, as quoted in Kanzul Ummaal(Vo1.4 Pg.338).

Daughters-Burden or Blessing? Part II

Position of a daughter in Islam.

Daughter is not a burden rather she is a blessing for her parents. She is that door that can lead her parents to Paradise. And here is it’s proof:

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: If anyone cares for three daughters, disciplines them, marries them, and does good to them, he will go to Paradise. (Sunan Abudawood: Book 41, Hadith 5128)

‘A’isha, the wife of Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him), said: A woman came to me along with her two daughters. She asked me for (charity) but she found nothing with me except one date, so I gave her that. She accepted it and then divided it between her two daughters and herself ate nothing out of that. She then got up and went out, and so did her two daughters. (In the meanwhile) Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) visited me and I narrated to him her story. Thereupon Allah’s Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: He who is involved (in the responsibility) of (bringing up) daughters, and he accords benevolent treatment towards them, there would be protection for him against Hell-Fire. (Muslim: Book 32, Hadith 6362)

Islamic guidelines which prevent female feticide.

The best way to save female child is spreading the message of Islam, which includes the awareness among Muslims about the following:

1. God consciousness. 

 

The Prophet (pbuh) said: Verily Allah, the Glorious and Majestic, has forbidden for you: disobedience to mothers, and burying alive daughters, withholding the right of others in spite of having the power to return that to them and demanding that (which is not one’s legitimate right). And He disapproved three things for you; irrelevant talk, persistent questioning and wasting of wealth. (Sahih Muslim: Book 18, Hadith 4257)

Following the Islamic guidelines increases the Taqwa (God consciousness) among the believers. And obviously, a person having Taqwa will always try to refrain from sinful deeds.

2. Equality of honor. 

Allah say’s: And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference. (Qur’an: Surah al-Isra, chapter 17,ayat/verse 70)

Reading the above ayat/verse we see that Allah has honored the “children of Adam” (both male and female) and not just men. When Allah (swt), our Creator has not preferred male over female then who are we to discriminate? 

3. Collective resistance against the exploitation of women/ Securing rights of women/ Implementation of Qur’anic laws of inheritance.

Many a times women are pressurized into a marriage with a man that they dislike. We know from the ahadith of Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) that a marriage without the consent of the girl is invalid. Women must not be deprived of this right of theirs. And the bridegrooms even after being told that truth go ahead with such an unlawful marriage. Allah (swt) say’s:

O you who have believed, it is not lawful for you to inherit women by compulsion. (Qur’an: Surah an-Nisa, Chapter 4, ayat/verse 19)

Here we see that marrying a woman against her will is haraam.

Although Allah (swt) has given women the rights of inheritance yet unfortunately they are often deprived of their share of property as well. It’s time we try to implement the Qur’anic laws of inheritance strictly so that the women in our society won’t be robbed off of their rights. 

4. Social & economic security/ Special care of orphan girls/Support from the ummah.

 

The best support from the Muslim ummah is Zakah. More the Muslims get attached to Islam, more of them will pay zakah which will contribute in redistribution of wealth and prevent its concentration in few hands. As Allah (swt) say’s:
Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah , the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous. (Qur’an: Surah al-Baqara, Chapter 2, ayat/verse 177)

We all know that zakah is obligatory on Muslims but how many of us really do pay zakah? We should not be in this delusion that it’s “our” money and by giving zakah we are being “generous” to poor people. Not at all! On the contrary Zakah is the right of those people and by giving zakah we are just delivering our responsibility and by not giving zakah we are stealing the rights of the poor people. And wouldn’t that amount to stealing from poor people? 

It will be a huge sin on our part if we have the means and yet don’t pay zakah, because then in a way we will also be responsible for female feticide.

And as for the orphan girls, we are commanded to be just to them:
And they request from you, [O Muhammad], a [legal] ruling concerning women. Say, ” Allah gives you a ruling about them and [about] what has been recited to you in the Book concerning the orphan girls to whom you do not give what is decreed for them – and [yet] you desire to marry them – and concerning the oppressed among children and that you maintain for orphans [their rights] in justice.” And whatever you do of good – indeed, Allah is ever Knowing of it. (Qur’an: Surah an-Nisa, Chapter 4, ayat/verse 127)

Although punishment prescribed in the Qur’an and Ahadith for those who abuse women would have been an important step as well but unfortunately that and the above mentioned laws can be fully implemented in an Islamic state only but by the help of Allah (swt) we as Muslims can and must do our bit individually to some extent as well.

 

 

Daughters-Burden or Blessing? Part I

Female feticide is an evil that has sunken its roots deep into our society. Even the penalty against sex determination doesn’t seem to put an end to this crime. This shameful act goes against ones conscience and it also collides with the teachings of Islam. In the pre-Islamic Arabia baby girls were buried alive and today they are either aborted even before coming into this world or thrown away.

In the age of ignorance Islam came as a mercy for the whole of mankind and provided women a reputable position in the society. It was made clear through the Qur’an that those parents who kill their female children shall be held accountable on the Day of Resurrection. Today it seems we are back to the age of ignorance and once again we need to be reminded of that warning:

And when the girl [who was] buried alive is asked
For what sin she was killed? (Surah at-Takweer, Chapter 81, ayaat/verses 8-9)

There is no need for beating around the bush when today everybody is well aware of this crime and its lethal consequences. But what we should first try to determine is the cause of this disease. That’s right, in my opinion female feticide is a sickness but what is the source of this sickness? There are three major reasons leading to increasing rate of female feticide:

Reason 1.

 

Although Islam doesn’t recognize the evil system of dowry yet unfortunately most of the people claiming to have deep love for Allah (swt) and His Messenger prophet Muhammed (pbuh) demand huge sum of dowry shamelessly from the parents or the guardians of the bride. 

When it comes to money and property they forget Allah (swt) and His commandments.

Reason 2.

 

Desire for a male child to carry on the name of the family is another reason. People usually get disheartened when a baby girl is born. There are people so cold hearted that they desert their babies in the municipal dustbins as though shedding away some stinking garbage & not fearing the slightest that Allah (swt) is watching them and will take retribution from them. Allah (swt) exposes their sinful feelings as:

And when one of them is informed of [the birth of] a female, his face becomes dark, and he suppresses grief. He hides himself from the people because of the ill of which he has been informed. Should he keep it in humiliation or bury it in the ground? Unquestionably, evil is what they decide. (Qur’an: Surah an-Nahl, Chapter 16, ayaat/verses 58-59)

Reason 3.

Pregnancy out of wedlock is yet another reason. However, in this case babies are aborted or deserted irrespective of their gender. That is why Quran commands us:

And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way. (Surah al-Isra, Chapter 17, aayaat/verses 32)

 

Pleasant Words from the Gospel

A STATEMENT REGARDING THE MUSLIM PERSPECTIVE ON THE TORAH AND THE GOSPEL




In verse 4 of Surat al-Baqara, our Lord says that Muslims are

"those who believe in what has been sent down to you and what was sent down before you..."

As revealed in the Qur'an, the Gospel, Torah, Psalms and the pages of Abraham are books sent down to prophets who lived in the past. Some of these books have disappeared, while others have been altered or distorted. But they nevertheless contain a great many correct pronouncements belonging to the true faith. Muslims analyze these according to the Qur'an and the Sunna [teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (may God bless him and grant him peace)]

In other verses about the Gospel our Lord reveals:

And We sent Jesus son of Mary following in their footsteps, confirming the Torah that came before him. We gave him the Gospel containing guidance and light, confirming the Torah that came before it, and as guidance and admonition for those who have taqwa [righteousness]. The people of the Gospel should judge by what Allah sent down in it. Those who do not judge by what Allah has sent down, such people are deviators. (Surat al-Ma'ida, 46-47)

Then We sent Our Messengers following in their footsteps and sent Jesus son of Mary after them, giving him the Gospel. We put compassion and mercy in the hearts of those who followed him.They invented monasticism–We did not prescribe it for them–purely out of desire to gain the pleasure of Allah, but even so they did not observe it as it should have been observed. To those of them who had faith We gave their reward but many of them are deviators. (Surat al-Hadid, 27)

LOVE OF GOD AND THE CONCEPT OF LOVE WHICH GOD APPROVES ACCORDING TO THE GOSPEL

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. To love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." (Mark, 12:28-33)

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love. (2 John, 1:6)



'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' (Matthew, 22:37-39)




Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves... knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love... Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (1 John, 4:7-11)

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily
angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but
rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always
perseveres. Love never fails.

(1 Corinthians, 13: 4-8)

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others?... (Matthew, 5:46-47)

You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. ' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew, 5: 43-44)

"If you love me, you will obey what I command [for God's sake]. Whoever has my commands [for God's sake] and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by God, and I too will love him..." (John, 14:15, 21)

Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. God will love him... He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to God Who sent me." (John, 14:23-24)

This is my command: Love each other. (John, 15:17)

However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared [in the life of the hereafter] for those who love Him." (1 Corinthians, 2:9)

... "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Galatians, 5:14)

[Jesus:] "As God has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands [for God's sake], you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed God's commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. (John, 15:9-14)

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts... (Romans, 5:5)

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love... (Colossians, 3:12-14)

We love because He [God] first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, Whom he has not seen. And He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. (1 John, 4:19-21)


... Jesus replied... "If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." "Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, "'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, 'and 'love your neighbor as yourself.' " (Matthew, 19:17-19)


Let love be without dissimulation.. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. (Romans, 12:9)

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Timothy, 4:12)



Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. (1 Thessalonians, 5:12-13)



We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. Therefore... we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. (2 Thessalonians, 1:3-4)



For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God... (Romans, 8:38-39)



... We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. (1 Corinthians, 8:1)



Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law [God's commandments]. (Romans, 13:8)



This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome. (1 John, 5:3)



Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. (1 Peter, 1:22)


Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God... (1 Peter, 2:17)

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. (1 John, 3:18)


And this is His [God's] command: ... to love one another as he [God's messenger] commanded us. (1 John, 3:23)


Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (Mark, 10:21)


But the world must learn that I love God and that I do exactly what God has commanded me. (John, 14:31)


[Jesus:] No, God Himself loves you because you have loved me... (John, 16:27)


The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law [God's commandments]. (Romans, 13:9-10)


Grace to all who love... Jesus Christ with an undying love. (Ephesians, 6:24)






If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. (James, 2:8)


These have come so that your faith... may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. (1 Peter, 1:7-8)


If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. (1 John, 4:20-21)


Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. (Hebrews, 13:1-3)


This is how we know who the servants of God... Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God [one of the servants with whom God is pleased]; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. (1 John, 3, 10)


Whoever loves his brother lives in the light [with God's light], and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him. (1 John, 2:10-11)





For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love... (2 Timothy, 1:7)


[Jesus:] "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke, 6:27-28)


If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. (Luke, 6:32)


Who shall separate us from the love of Christ [for God's sake]? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? (Romans, 8:35)


And now these three remain: faith, hope and love... (1 Corinthians, 13:13)


If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have... all mysteries and all knowledge... but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. (1 Corinthians, 13:1-3)