LOVE OF THE PROPHET'S AHLE BAIT AND HIS COMPANIONS IS A SIGN OF THE AHLE SUNNAH

There is a Hadith in Jame Tirmidhi. It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbas (May Allah SWT be well pleased with them) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "Love Allah SWT as He grants you bounties (ni'mah). Love Me to love Allah SWT and love my Ahle Bait to love Me."

The grace and benevolence of Allah SWT demand that we should love Him. To be able to love Allah SWT, we should love the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and to be able to love the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), the Ahle Bait of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) should be loved.

It is as if the love of the Ahle Bait of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is a step towards the love of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). Whoever desires proximity (closeness) with Allah SWT and wants to be summoned unto His presence, the only way for this is to love the Prophet's Ahle Bait. This love will grant proximity with the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and through the proximity of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), the person will attain proximity of Allah.

There is a Tradition in Sunan Ibn Majah and Jame Tirmidhi.

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "By Him, who holds My life in His hands, Iman cannot even enter the heart of the person, who does not love you" (Ahle Bait).

In the Hadith of Ibn Majah, the words are "Until he loves them for the sake of Allah SWT and because of My relationship with them."