Surah Al Imran Tafseer

Allah's Love is Attained by Following the Messenger

Allah says;

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللّهُ

Say (O Muhammad to mankind):"If you (really) love Allah, then follow me (i.e. Muhammad), Allah will love you,

This honorable Ayah judges against those who claim to love Allah, yet do not follow the way of Muhammad. Such people are not true in their claim until they follow the Shariah (Law) of Muhammad and his religion in all his statements, actions and conditions.

It is recorded in the Sahih that the Messenger of Allah said,

مَنْ عَمِلَ عَمَلً لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرُنَا فَهُوَ رَد

Whoever commits an act that does not conform with our matter (religion), then it will be rejected of him.

This is why Allah said here,

قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللّهُ

Say (O Muhammad to mankind):"If you (really) love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you...,"

meaning, what you will earn is much more than what you sought in loving Him, for Allah will love you.

Al-Hasan Al-Basri and several scholars among the Salaf commented,

"Some people claimed that they love Allah. So Allah tested them with this Ayah;

(Say (O Muhammad to mankind):"If you (really) love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you...")."

Allah then said,

وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

"And forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

meaning, by your following the Messenger, you will earn all this with the blessing of his mission.

Allah next commands everyone