Is Faith Without Love Real?

Within the profound teachings of the Holy Quran, faith (Iman Billah) is far more than a mere intellectual acknowledgment or a verbal declaration; it is a comprehensive and dynamic state of the heart and soul that permeates one's entire being and manifests in actions and words. In this context, love (Hubb) is not merely an inseparable component of faith but its very backbone and essence. The unequivocal answer from the Quran to the question of whether faith without love is real is that faith not nourished by the pure spring of love will be incomplete and lifeless, incapable of bearing the true fruits intended by Allah Almighty. In other words, genuine love serves as the truest measure of faith and a sign of its maturity and depth. The Holy Quran emphasizes this unbreakable bond in numerous verses. One of the most prominent examples is verse 24 of Surah At-Tawbah, which sets a high standard for measuring love for Allah and His Messenger: "Say, 'If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your relatives, the wealth which you have gained, and the commerce wherein you fear a decline, and dwellings which you love are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger and striving in His cause, then wait until Allah executes His command. And Allah does not guide the defiantly disobedient people.'" This verse clearly states that love for Allah and His Messenger must take precedence over all worldly attachments and desires. If this love is not the genuine, paramount love in a person's heart, their faith becomes questionable. Love for Allah implies absolute obedience to His commands, gratitude for His countless blessings, and submission to His wise will. It is this love that propels a person to perform righteous deeds, abstain from prohibitions, and strive for divine pleasure. Faith that does not originate from such love is merely a collection of rigid rules devoid of spirit, lacking the necessary driving force for inner transformation and spiritual growth. Beyond love for Allah, the Quran places significant importance on love and mercy among believers. In verse 54 of Surah Al-Ma'idah, we read: "O you who have believed, whoever of you reverts from his religion – Allah will bring forth [in place of them] a people He will love and who will love Him; humble toward the believers, powerful against the disbelievers; they strive in the cause of Allah and do not fear the blame of a critic. That is the favor of Allah which He gives to whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing." This verse presents a beautiful image of a believing community where mutual love between Allah and His servants, as well as humility and mercy among themselves, form the backbone of their relationships. Faith that does not manifest in kindness, forgiveness, compassion, and empathy towards others is incomplete faith. How can one claim faith in a God who is "Ar-Rahman" (The Most Merciful) and "Ar-Rahim" (The Especially Merciful), yet remain devoid of mercy and love towards His creatures? This truth is also explicitly stated in verse 29 of Surah Al-Fath: "Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are strong against disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking bounty from Allah and [His] pleasure. Their mark is on their faces from the trace of prostration. That is their description in the Torah and their description in the Gospel..." This verse describes true believers with the attribute "ruhama'u baynahum" (merciful among themselves). Thus, kindness and love are not just good moral qualities; they are clear and unavoidable signs of true faith. Faith that has taken root in a person's heart will inevitably bear the fruit of love in their relationships with others. Without this love, faith would be merely a verbal claim or a collection of outward acts, lacking real depth and impact. Therefore, faith and love are two sides of the same coin in the Quranic worldview, inseparable from each other. True faith in Allah Almighty undoubtedly leads to a deep love for Him and obedience to His commands. This love is the primary motivation and driving force for performing righteous deeds, abstaining from sins, and striving to attain divine pleasure. Furthermore, this love for Allah extends to His creations, especially to believers and all human beings. For whoever loves Allah will also love His creation and show them mercy and compassion. Faith that is devoid of this love is like a rootless tree that will never bear fruit, or a building erected on sand that will crumble with the slightest gust of wind. Ultimately, it can be said that love is the beating heart of faith. It is love that gives faith depth, meaning, and dynamism, transforming it from a mere belief into an active and constructive force in individual and societal life. Without love, faith would be just a collection of rituals and symbols, lacking a soul and incapable of generating inner and outer transformation. Hence, true faith without love is not only incomplete but, in the real sense of the word, "unreal"; it has lost its essence and spirit. It is this love that makes faith alive, effective, and accepted in the sight of Allah. A faith that is devoid of love and compassion for God's creation cannot claim to have love for the Creator. These two are intertwined and grow together.