Indeed, love is not voluntary but by means of the will love’s face may turn from one object of love to another. For example, when a beloved displays some ugliness or shows that he is a veil or mirror to another beloved, who is truly worthy of love, then love’s face may be turned from the metaphorical to the true beloved.

We do not tell you not to love the things you enumerated, but rather to love them for Allah Al- mighty’s sake and in the name of His love. For example, to love delicious foods and luscious fruits as being the bounty of Allah Almighty, the All- Merciful and Compassionate One, is to love His Names of All-Merciful and Bestower of Bounties, and, moreover, takes on the meaning of thanks. This love is to seek gain contentedly within the sphere of the licit, which shows that it is not only for the sake of the instinctual soul but is in the na-me of the All-Merciful One. It is to eat thought-fully and with gratitude.

Furthermore, love and respect for parents, when for the sake of the wisdom and mercy that compassionately fitted you out and caused them to bring you up with tender care, pertain to Allah Almighty’s love. The sign that this love, respect and compassion are for Allah’s sake is that when they are old and are of no more use to you and bring you only trouble and difficulty, you are even more loving, kind and compassionate towards them. The verse,