Exegesis of the verse: ((Say, "If you love Allah, then follow me. Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful."))

Then Allah the Exalted said: Some of the Salaf call this verse the Verse of the Profession, meaning the verse of the test and trial. This is because a group claimed that they loved Allah, so Allah commanded His Prophet to challenge them with this measure: if they were truthful, let them follow the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), whether they were from the Jews, the Christians, or the hypocrites. The point is that anyone who claims to love Allah, this is the measure: If they are truthful, let them follow the Messenger. As for mere claims, everyone claims a connection to Layla, but Layla does not acknowledge that for them. Everyone claims to love Allah because the claim is easy, but the matter is about the proof. The proof is on the claimant. If they truly love Allah, let them follow the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to attain what is greater than their claim, which is the love of Allah for them. For this reason, He said: The matter is not that you love; the matter is that you are loved. This is the fruit. As for loving without being loved, that is a disease. Look at Barira and Mughith. Barira hated Mughith, and Mughith loved her. Was he tormented by his love for her or not? Yes, he was tormented. When she was freed, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to her: Choose for yourself. She said: By Allah, I do not want him, I do not want the man. But she was freed and sought the best for herself, and the worst was possible for her. So her husband was crying behind her in the market of Madinah, asking that she not choose. He came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: Intercede for me with her, O Messenger of Allah. So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) spoke to her and said: Return to Mughith. She said: O Messenger of Allah, if you are commanding me, then obedience and submission—may Allah return her to him—but if you are only suggesting, then I have no need for it.