Hearts devoid of love are lifeless: Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri

Shaykh-ul-Islam to Address the Global Spiritual Gathering on Laylat-ul-Qadr in Itikaf City
Love for Allah Instills Humility and Eliminates Arrogance – Address in Itikaf City

The founder and patron-in-chief of Minhaj-ul-Quran International, Shaykh-ul-Islam Professor Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, while delivering his third scholarly, spiritual, and educational lecture in Itikaf City, stated that hearts devoid of love are lifeless. He emphasized that divine love nurtures humility, while arrogance and discord stem from its absence. He said if a person becomes arrogant due to their knowledge, it is a sign that Satan has succeeded in his attack.

Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri will deliver a special address at a grand and spiritually uplifting gathering on the night of the 27th of Ramadan in Itikaf City. Additional arrangements have been made to accommodate more participants for voluntary one-night Itikaf.

During his address, Shaykh-ul-Islam stated that the journey of faith begins with love, humility, and modesty. He said that those who deny the essence of love are, in essence, deprived of the very foundation of faith. Citing Imam Ghazali’s Ihya Ulum al-Din, he stated that love for Allah is the ultimate station of all spiritual ranks and the final stage of faith. He said a heart consumed by worldly desires and the pursuit of power cannot accommodate divine love. The less a heart is filled with love and compassion, the weaker one’s faith becomes. Love is the soul of faith, and those deprived of its essence are spiritually lifeless.

Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri said that love for the Divine brings peace to the heart, whereas worldly attachments cause distress and obsession. He said that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was the embodiment of love and compassion, and he was granted the title Rahmat-ul-lil-Alameen (Mercy for all worlds). His kindness and warmth were such that anyone who glanced upon his blessed face instantly became captivated by him. Religion cannot be separated from love, compassion, and sacrifice.

He lamented that despite being claimants of knowledge, we have become hollow from within because our hearts lack love. He stated that our tongues are no longer familiar with words of peace. We are unwilling to forgive and tolerate others, which is neither the characteristic of true scholars nor the way of the pious.

Dr. Qadri stressed that Islam is not merely a philosophy but a path of love, compassion, forgiveness, and kindness. Therefore, preachers, scholars, and religious speakers must learn to love humanity, follow the blessed character of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), refrain from spreading hatred, and avoid intimidating others with their knowledge. Instead of driving people away, they should draw them closer—not through intellectual superiority or philosophical arguments, but through the selfless expression of love.

Finally, special prayers were offered for national security and prosperity.