Anas reported God’s messenger as saying, “None of you believes till I am dearer to him than his father, his child, and all mankind.” (Bukhari and Muslim).
The Essence of Faith
This hadith from Mishkat al-Masabih establishes the fundamental condition for complete faith (iman). The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ declares that no person attains true belief until he loves the Messenger more than his own father, children, and all of humanity.
Scholarly Commentary
This narration, found in Mishkat al-Masabih 7 and authenticated by Bukhari and Muslim, addresses the hierarchy of love in a believer's heart. The love for the Prophet ﷺ must transcend all worldly attachments.
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali explains that this love necessitates giving precedence to what the Prophet ﷺ loves over what one's own soul desires. When there is a conflict between following the Sunnah and following personal inclinations or family traditions, the believer must choose the Prophetic way.
Al-Qadi 'Iyad notes that this superior love manifests through emulating the Prophet's character, following his teachings, prioritizing his commands, and defending his honor and Sunnah.
Practical Manifestations
This love is demonstrated through: studying his Seerah (biography), frequently sending blessings upon him, adhering to his Sunnah in worship and daily life, preferring his guidance over cultural practices, and feeling joy in obeying him and sorrow when failing to follow his example.
This does not negate natural familial love but establishes the proper spiritual hierarchy where love for Allah and His Messenger takes absolute precedence, with all other loves being subordinate to this fundamental relationship.