Explanation of the Book: The Beginning of Revelation, Faith, and Knowledge-02b

The reciter: Ya'qub ibn Ibrahim narrated to us, saying: Ibn 'Ulayyah narrated to us from 'Abd al-'Aziz ibn Sahl from Anas from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). And Adam narrated to us, saying: Shu'bah narrated to us from Qatadah from Anas, who said: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: .

The Shaykh : This hadith contains evidence for the obligation of loving the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and prioritizing his love over everyone, even over one's child, one's parent, and one's self. The self is included in his statement: .
And for this reason, when 'Umar said: "By Allah, you are more beloved to me than so-and-so, except for my own self," he said: . He said: "And my own self?" He said: .
So it is obligatory to prioritize the love of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) over the love of everyone, over the love of one's child, one's parent, one's family, one's wealth, and one's self as well.
But if someone asks: What is the path to that? And what is the sign?
The sign is that you prioritize the command of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) over the desires of your self. Indeed, this is the closest sign that the Messenger is more beloved to you than your self. If the Messenger of Allah commands something and your self desires not to do it, or forbids something and your self desires to do it, and then you oppose your self, that means the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is more beloved to you than your self. Otherwise, you would have followed the desires of your self and left the command of the Messenger. This is among the signs.
Then, the more a person increases in being mindful of following the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) in his deeds and his character, the more his love for the Messenger increases. That is, if you feel when performing wudu, prayer, fasting, and other acts of worship that you are emulating the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and following him, and likewise in your dealings with people through noble character and doing good to them, that you are emulating the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), then that would cultivate your love for him and make you a follower of him in complete following. Yes.
And in it, also in the first hadith: the permissibility of swearing an oath without being asked to do so, due to his saying: .
And swearing an oath without being asked to do so should not be done except for a reason. Among the reasons is the importance of the subject. The importance of the subject requires that a person swear to it, even if not asked, to confirm it. And this is undoubtedly one of the most important things.
And among them is the denial of the person addressed, as the Exalted said: .
And among them is the doubt of the person addressed, for it is recommended that you swear to remove his doubt, as in the saying of the Exalted: . Otherwise, it is better not to swear. Guard your oaths.