please Him. If you want to bow to Allah Almighty (in salah), one must face the Kaʿba. Similarly, if you wish to love Allah Almighty, then love His servants."^[1]

The strongest bond for faith

O those who love Allah’s Messenger! We have learned the virtues of loving the saints. Through this love, we can enter Paradise, receive high and shining chambers in Paradise, attain peace on the Day of Judgement, be covered by the shade of the Throne, and become beloved servants of Allah Almighty.

Remember, all these blessings will only be granted if a person possesses faith, because this is the fundamental condition for success in the Hereafter. We must also be concerned about safeguarding our faith.

Now, how should we protect our faith? The method for this was also taught to us by the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم:

فَلْیُحِبُّ الْمَرْءَ لَا  یُحِبُّہٗ اِلَّا لِلّٰہ مَنْ سَرَّہَ اَنْ یَجِدَ حَلَاوَۃَ الْاِیْمَانِ

Whoever wishes to attain the sweetness of faith should love people only for the sake of Allah.^[2]

Imam Aḥmad b. Ḥanbal رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه recorded a hadith in which the Companion Barrāˈ b. ʿĀzib رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ explained:

We were once sat with the Greatest Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم when he inquired, اَیُّ عُرَی الْاِیْمَانِ اَوْثَقُ – “What is the strongest rope of faith?”

“Salah”, the Companions replied. He صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم declared, “Salah is very good, but not the answer to my question.” They then suggested, “Fasting during Ramadan.” “Fasts are also an