Faith Perfected through Love, Hatred, Giving, and Withholding for Allah’s Sake

Introduction

On the 17^th of Rabi‘ al-Awwal, Muslims honour the blessed birth of Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him), the great scholar and guide of the Ahl al-Bayt. On this occasion, we reflect upon one of his profound sayings:

الإِمَامُ الصَّادِقُ (ع): مَنْ أَحَبَّ لِلَّهِ وَ أَبْغَضَ لِلَّهِ وَ أَعْطَى لِلَّهِ وَ مَنَعَ لِلَّهِ فَهُوَ مِمَّنْ يَكْمُلُ إِيمَانُهُ. (بحارالأنوار، ج ۶۷، ص ۲۴۸)

Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever loves for the sake of Allah, hates for the sake of Allah, gives for the sake of Allah, and withholds for the sake of Allah — his faith is complete.” (Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 67, p. 248)

Educational messages from the hadith for teenagers and youth

1. Striving for Balance

A well-rounded believer combines love and dislike, giving and withholding; not one without the other.

Challenge: Reflect on your week. Did you practise both giving and withholding for Allah, or only one side?

2. Everyday Actions for Allah

Even ordinary tasks, like studying or helping at home, can become acts of worship if done to please Allah.

Challenge: Before starting a daily chore, say: “I do this for Allah’s sake.”

3. Valuing Complete Faith

Just as we value things at their best, we should aim for the highest form of faith by working on what completes it.

Challenge: Identify one weakness in your faith and set a small step to improve it this week.

4. Using the Right Criteria

Without clear standards, decisions become shaky; this hadith reminds us that Allah’s commands are the key measure.

Challenge: In one decision today, pause and ask yourself: “Would this please Allah?” before acting.

5. Guarding Against Showing Off

Riya (showing off) and selfishness ruin sincerity, which is essential for seeking Allah’s pleasure.

Challenge: Do one good deed secretly this week so only Allah knows about it.

6. Faith Beyond Feelings

Real faith means directing love and dislike by Allah’s values, not by peer pressure or trends.

Challenge: This week, assess whether your closest friendships help you grow closer to Allah.

7. Purposeful Giving

Sharing your time, knowledge, or belongings should be for Allah, not for show or popularity.

Challenge: Give away one personal item or help a friend privately without posting it online.

8. Guarding Against Negative Influences

Dislike for Allah’s sake means distancing yourself from harmful habits or toxic circles.

Challenge: Identify one unhealthy influence in your life and set a boundary against it.

9. Consistency in Choices

Loving, giving, and withholding for Allah keeps you steady, even when it feels unpopular.

Challenge: Take one decision this week (online or offline) solely based on what you believe pleases Allah.

10. Finding Joy in Sacrifice

Sometimes living for Allah requires giving up comforts, but it leads to deeper satisfaction.

Challenge: Skip one unnecessary indulgence and dedicate that effort or money to charity.

Educational messages from the hadith for parents

1. Being a Living Example

Parents should embody love, dislike, giving, and withholding for Allah, so children learn these values by observation.

Challenge: Choose one daily situation where you openly show your children that your action is “for Allah’s sake.”

2. Seeking Allah’s Pleasure First

When providing for children’s needs, the standard must be Allah’s approval, not just pleasing the child.

Challenge: Next time your child makes a request, ask yourself: “Does this please Allah?” before deciding.

3. Holistic Upbringing

Parenting is not only about giving love and fulfilling requests; sometimes saying “no” is a vital part of raising balanced children.

Challenge: Explain lovingly to your child one time this week why withholding is also a form of care for their future.

4. Raising with Divine Values

Teaching children to love and dislike for Allah shapes strong moral foundations.

Challenge: Share one story with your children about someone who sacrificed for Allah’s sake.

5. Balancing Affection and Discipline

Love for Allah should be visible in family warmth, while discipline reflects dislike of harmful paths.

Challenge: Practise expressing both love and discipline with explicit reference to Allah’s guidance.

Educational messages from the hadith for Imams and religious leaders

1. Clarifying the Role of Intention

Imams should explain that the value of an action depends on the intention behind it, which shapes whether it brings one closer to Allah or not.

Challenge: In your next sermon, highlight how two identical actions differ completely when intentions differ.

2. Teaching the Hierarchy of Intentions

Imams need to show believers how small and large deeds can all be linked to the ultimate goal: pleasing Allah, the highest purpose of life.

Challenge: Guide your audience in one session to reframe an ordinary daily act (like eating or working) as an act of worship through correct intention.