The Status of Love of and Intimacy with the Deity

The present lecture is a commentary on Imam Sajjad's Munajat al- Mohibbeen (the whispered prayer of the lovers). "Love" means to desire and like something or someone which leads to devotion, rapture, affection, and excitment. Love is always associated with feeling of joy and nearness to the beloved. In other words, love will is not love if joy is not shown by the beloved to the lover. The greatest pleasure is manifested in one’s love of God. When one tastes the sweetness of the love of God and is filled with the joy of that love, he/she will never think of a substitute. That is, when one is brought nigh to God, he/she will never turn away from this blessing. Rememberance of God and His free blessings is the means to the love of Him. Furthermore, the deeper the knowledge of God, the greater the love of Him.