24 February 2026

3-minute read

The most powerful word in the English language and its equivalent in any other language is the word ‘love’. Everyone loves and more importantly, everyone wants to be loved. Who you love and more so, who loves you speaks volumes about you and your profile.

In an incident from the life of Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم, it is stated that one day the Sahaba were seated and they were having a discussion while waiting for the arrival of Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم. One Sahabi then remarked, ‘How amazing it is it that Allāh has chosen Ebrahim عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ to be His Khaleel, to be His friend?’ So, another Sahabi replied, ‘But isn’t it more amazing that Allāh chose Mūsa عَلَيهِ السَّلَامُ to be Kaleemullah, whereby Allāh spoke to him directly?’ Yet another Sahabi added, ‘But what about Eesa عَلَيهِ السَّلَامُ? He is Ruhullah wa Kalimatuhu (رُوحُ اللهِ وَ كَلِمَتُهُ). He came into existence by the direct instruction of Allāh?’ Now whilst this discussion was taking place, Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم arrived, but the Sahaba were so engrossed in this interaction that they did not notice Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم sitting on the periphery, listening to the discussion. The one Sahabi remarked, Aadam عَلَيهِ السَّلَامُ was the first to be created, he started everything so that is amazing. That is when the Nabi of Allāh stepped into the discussion and said, ‘Oh my Sahaba, I have noted your points. I have noted your points, and I have also noted your amazement.

اِنَّ اِبْرَاهِيم خَلِيلُ اللهِ وَ هُوَ كَذلِك

There is no doubt that Ebrahim عَلَيهِ السَّلَامُ is the friend of Allāh.

وَ عِيسى رُوحُ اللهِ وَكَلِمَتُهُ وَ هُوَ كَذَلِك

That Eesa عَلَيهِ السَّلَامُ is the spirit of Allāh and the consequence of the spoken word of Allāh, and indeed that is a fact.

وَ مُوسى نَجِيُّ اللهِ وَ هُوَ كَذَلِك

We know that Mūsa عَلَيهِ السَّلَامُ spoke directly to Allāh and that is a fact.

وَ آدَمَ إِصطَفهُ اللهُ

Aadam عَلَيهِ السَّلَامُ was the first to be chosen by Allāh and that is also a fact.

But listen, whilst we are talking about facts, let me give you the fact of all facts:

اَلَا وَ اَنَا حَبِيبُ اللهِ وَ لَا فَخَر

Know this, my Sahaba, I am the Beloved of Allah. I don’t say it out of pride, this is a fact. It is not a competition between me and my brothers in the fraternity and the galaxy of Ambiyaa and this is a fact which Allah has established. This was the choice of Allah. Ebrahim عَلَيهِ السَّلَامُ has the title of Khaleel, Mūsa عَلَيهِ السَّلَامُ has the title of Kaleem, Eesa عَلَيهِ السَّلَامُ has the title of Ruh, I have the title of Habeebullah, the Beloved of Allah.”

Habeeb comes from the word ‘Hubb’ – love. Love… This ummah has unfortunately misunderstood what its core ingredients are. Nowadays, let alone what the West perceives about us, it is about how we perceive ourselves. We think Islam is only about being stern, firm, and aggressive. Indeed, everything has a balance, but we forget the core ingredients: what it is to be Muslim, what the foundations of Islam are. From all the titles, what did Allah choose for Rasoolullah ﷺ? Allah chose the title of Habeebullah, the Beloved of Allah. This signifies Allah’s love for Rasoolullah ﷺ.

{Extracted and adapted from Volume One of the book In Pursuit of Purpose by Ml Sulaimaan Ravat}