You Will Be With Those Whom You Love
It is in human nature that a man cares for and follows the footsteps of those whom it loves and has liking for being with them. The relationships like family ties and friendships are established and kept on the basis of same principle of affection that one has for one another. The Islamic faith about adoring and pursuing the footpath of someone is solely based on living one`s life according to Quran and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet ﷺ and staying in the company of those who also practice this religion in the rightful manner. Allah SWT says in Furqan e Hameed:
Say, [O Muhammad], “If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” [Quran, 3: 31]
The above mentioned Ayah clearly indicates that the liking of the Almighty for anyone is dependent on the criterion that how much one pursues the way of life of His Messenger ﷺ, Who mission was to let people know of worshiping One God and preaching about morality and justice. It means that one cannot dream of attaining the love of Allah until or unless it completely adheres to all the teachings of the Holy Prophet ﷺ.
Anas bin Malik (R.A) reported:
A Bedouin came to Messenger (PBUH) of Allah and said to him, “When will be the Hour (i.e., the Day of Resurrection)?” He (the Prophet PBUH) said, “What preparation have you made for it?” He said, “Only the love of Allah and His Messenger (PBUH).” Then Messenger (PBUH) of Allah said, “You will be with those whom you love.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
The narration in Muslim is: The man replied: “I have made no significant preparation with regard to Salat (prayer), Saum (fasting) and Sadaqah (charity) but I love Allah and His Messenger”.
In light of the this Hadith, the decisive factor for one`s success on the Day of Judgment is how much one has prepared for it through its actions. Most of the Muslims nowadays think of succeeding eventually only by claiming the love of Allah and His Prophet ﷺ, which is not true. It must also be accompanied with accomplishment of all obligatory deeds that have been prescribed for the Muslims. That is why Raulullah ﷺ enquired the man what he had actually arranged for Akhirah (the Last Day). In the end, Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ tells Bedouin that he would be with those he loves on the Day of Resurrection, which actually calls for much more than just loving but actually following them too. The whole Saying of the Messenger ﷺ could be divided into three essential parts for better understanding:
1-Preparing for Qayamah (Judgment Day)
2-Accomplishment of Fard (Obligatory) Acts
3-Being with those (on Last Day) whom one Loves (Follows)
Now let us discuss these three key elements of success in the hereafter, which are extracted from the above stated Hadith of the Holy Prophet ﷺ:
i) Preparing For Qayamah (Judgment Day)
The first important matter that is under discussion here is the Doomsday as Rasulullah ﷺ was asked by a man about the time of end of life on earth. It is one of the chief beliefs of every Muslim, who bases its life around it. A true believer knows that the existence in this world is short lived and that one has to go back to meet its Creator, and will be hold accountable for its deeds. This core principle is the means of attaining righteousness in worldly life and living one`s life according to the Islamic convictions.
Now, the actual thing is to get ready for the Day of Resurrection and being able to gain a highly blessed place in the afterlife, i.e. Jannah (paradise). Allah SWT says in the Holy Quran:
And the weighing [of deeds] that Day will be the truth. So, those whose scales are heavy – it is they who will be the successful. [Quran, 7: 8]
Therefore, the actual means of achievement in the hereafter only lies in fulfillment of the virtuous actions and to turn away from all sorts of immoralities, for the Almighty has promised to evaluate everyone on the basis of their deeds alone.
ii) Accomplishment Of Fard (Obligatory) Acts
Bedouin says to Rasulullah ﷺ that he has not made any significant preparation in terms of Fard (Compulsory) acts of performing Salah (Daily Prayers), holding Soum (Fasting) and carrying out of Sadaqah (Charity) etc. It means that he had executed the obligatory deeds but was bothered by not accomplishing the voluntary acts. Thereupon, the Holy Prophet ﷺ tells him that he will be among those who he loves. It shows that carrying out necessary Fard actions in Islam is enough for one`s getting the pleasure of Allah SWT and His Messenger ﷺ, for there is no compensation for missing out on them while the Nafl (supererogatory) feats are extra in nature.
“And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger – those will be with the ones upon whom Allah has bestowed favor of the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs and the righteous. And excellent are those as companions.” [Quran, 4: 69]
The above mentioned Quranic line emphasizes on obeying the commandments of the Almighty Lord and His Prophet ﷺ which includes holding fast to the compulsory acts of Islam. Contrary to that, most of the Muslims nowadays ignore the true gist of this principle and regard love of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ as means of success, which is not the actual way of living as verbal claim must be followed with due action.
iii) Being With Those (on Last Day) Whom One Loves (Follows)
Every Muslim is familiar with the great significance of loving Allah SWT and the Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ, carrying out their prescribed actions and following the footsteps of the righteous people. The Most Merciful says in the Holy Quran:
O you, who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are true. [Quran, 9: 119]
In this Ayah, the Almighty Lord stresses on His obedience and accompanying the upright ones who would guide a person towards leading a virtuous life. That is also why Rasulullah ﷺ answered the question of a man by saying that one would be with those whom it loves, which means following a particular group of people in this world will decide one`s fate in the hereafter. It also means that a true Muslim should avoid adopting the way of life of the non believers, rather take inspiration from those who base their lives on the Islamic instructions. This is the only way one can dream of attaining the company of the Almighty and His Messenger ﷺ on the Day of Resurrection.
In short, a proper believer of the Religion of Peace should base its love for Allah SWT and His Apostle ﷺ by always thinking about the life in the hereafter, observe all the compulsory actions with devotion and be in the company of the virtuous Muslim in order to be in most blessed company of the Almighty and the Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ on the Day of Judgment.
