SENTIMENTALISM, or in other words, romantic longing, makes itself known most often under the guise of LOVE. For example, the romantic nationalists claim to love their country, for which reason they are hostile or even aggressive towards other nations. Or, we may consider a young man in love with a girl which he turns into the sole focus of his live: which leads him to write her poetry saying “I love you”, and to become obsessed with her to the point of suicide, and in fact, to ‘divinise’ her, is the notion of LOVE.
As for the majority of people, they think that every emotion to which the name of LOVE is ascribed is virtuous, pure, and even holy, and that examples of romantic longing, are perfectly acceptable.
LOVE is indeed a wonderful emotion, accorded to humanity by God, but it is important to distinguish whether that love is real or not, and to consider who it is directed to, and what sentiments it is founded on.
Such investigation should make apparent the difference between a sentimentalism that leads to perverse love, and real love, as revealed to us by God in the Qu’ran. By way of preliminary information, let us give the meaning of love as it is found in the Qu’ran.
According to the Qu’ran, love is to be shown to those who deserve it. Those who do not deserve it are not to be loved. We are even to distance ourselves from them emotionally, or at least, not to fell inclined towards them. But those who deserve love, deserve it because of their virtue. The only being who deserves absolute love is God, who created us all. God brought us into existence, proffered us with the countless blessings we enjoy, showed us the way, and promised us everlasting paradise. He helps us out of every anxiety and graciously hears our every call. It is He who feeds us until we are satisfied, cures us when we are ill and then restores our spirit.
(Yahya, Harun.Romanticism: A Weapon of Satan,India.Millat Center;2002.pg14)
