Part 12 : Bughd (Hatred)- Heart Therapy

Read the Table of Contents of Heart Therapy

Read Part 11 (a): Curing Bukhl (Miserliness)

Concept: Islam encourages mutual love and respect among the believers

“The believers are but brothers…” [49:10]

Anas ibn Malik (RA) said that the Prophet (SAW) said, Do not hate one another, or envy one another, or turn your backs on one another; O worshippers of Allah, be brothers. It is not lawful for a Muslim to break off relations with his brother for more than three consecutive nights so that they both turn from each other and the better of the two is the one who gives the first greeting.’ [al-Bukhari]

Hatred is neither intrinsically good nor bad. We are supposed to hate sin, transgression and corruption. However, we should not, without reason, harbour rancour, animosity, malice and hatred in our hearts for our Muslim brothers and sisters.

The Ploy

Shaytan loves to sow the seeds of enmity in the hearts of the people. When this enmity develops into a fire and opens hostilities result, he enjoys the spectacle. This fire burns man’s present and future into ashes and totally destroys their relationship and virtues. The Prophet (SAW) said, ‘The Shaytan has been disappointed that he would not be worshipped in the Arabian Peninsula, but he has not been disappointed from kindling the fire of fighting among the people.’ [Muslim]

Preventing hatred amongst the Muslims

From among the things we can do to prevent hatred and rancour occurring among the Muslims are:

• One should avoid expression satisfaction at another’s hardship: We should avoid expressing any indication of enjoyment or satisfaction when hearing of someone else’s hardship. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) is reported to have said, ‘Do not express pleasure at the misfortune of our brother lest Allah should bestow mercy upon him and make you suffer from a misfortune.’ [al-Tirmidhi]
• Avoid actions that excite suspicion or doubt: We should avoid any thing that will make people suspicious and that could sow the seeds of rancour and hatred. Ibn ‘Umar (RA) said that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, ‘In the presence of three people, two should not hold a secret counsel, to the exclusion of the third.’ [al-Bukhari and Muslim]
• Have mutual love for each other: If someone loves his brother, he should not be shy; rather, he should tell him. This helps in spreading this love, for we love those who show love to us. The Prophet (SAW) said, ‘If a man loves his brother, let him tell him that he loves him.’ [Abu Dawud and al-Tirmidhi]

  Likewise, Anas RA said, that a man was with the Prophet, when another man passed by. The first man said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, indeed I truly love this man.’ The prophet asked him, ‘Have you let him know that?’ He said, ‘No.’ The Prophet said, ‘Tell him.’ When he caught up with him he told him, “Truly I love you for the sake of Allah,’ and the man responded, ‘May Allah love you who loves me for His sake.’ [Abu Dawud]

Read the last Part of Heart Therapy:  Part 12 (a): Curing Oneself of Hatred