Page 37 - The Basic Concepts in the Qur’an

Wisdom and Sentimentalism

One of the greatest factors which can blur one’s wisdom is sentimentalism. This is a quite
harmful state of mind which is inimical to the proper functioning of human reason.
Indeed sentimentalism is an explicit danger to reason. It exercises control over the faculty
of reason to the point of negative sensible judgments. Under the sway of emotions, a
sentimental person can easily engage in unwise and imprudent deeds. A believer, on the other
hand, always keeps his emotions under the command of reasoning.
The concept of love, for instance, may have two separate dimensions; it may be either
emotional or rational. The sentimental person feels a profound attachment for people or objects
who truly do not deserve affection. As is prevalent in many cultures - especially the eastern
cultures- a deep devotion is demonstrated to those who pay no respect to one’s devotion or
who give pain in return for sincere love.
On the contrary, the love of a believer is always based on solid grounds. In the object of
his love he primarily identifies the existence of “attributes of faith” or “attributes of a believer”
as defined in the Qur’an. A believer never shows affection to anyone who is unworthy of being
loved.
Allah in many verses, attracts our attention to the dangers exposed inherent in sentimental
love:
O you who believe! Do not take My enemies and yours as friends (or protectors), offering
them (your) love, even though they have rejected the truth that has come to you, and have (on
the contrary) driven out the Prophet and yourselves (from your homes), (simply) because you
believe in Allah your Lord! If you have come out to strive in My way and to seek My good
pleasure, do not take them as friends, holding secret converse of love (and friendship) with
them: for I know full well all that you conceal and all that you reveal. And any of you that does
this has strayed from the straight path.
If they were to get the better of you, they would behave to you as enemies, and stretch
forth their hands and their tongues against you for evil: and they desire that you should reject
the truth.

There is for you an excellent example (to follow) in Abraham and those with him,
when they said to their people: “We are clear of you and of whatever you worship
besides Allah: we have rejected you, and there has arisen, between us and you,
enmity and hatred for ever, unless you believe in Allah and Him alone...

(Al-Mumtahina, 1-4)

The above words of Allah explain the grounds for it being irrational to feel love for
unbelievers. Such an attitude can be explained only by sentimentalism.

Many other verses in the Qur’an advise giving careful consideration to the dangers of
feeling love for unbelievers. The story of Prophet Noah sets an example for this subject; Noah
asked for forgiveness of Allah for his son who did not worship Him and prayed that he be saved

from the flood. Allah told Noah that his son was also among the unbelievers and that he (Noah)
should not offer him his love: