the day we learn to love

in the relationship between a man and a woman, the establishment of a mutual bond, outside of that approved by God, is one of the most critical factors leading to "idolatry", or "shirk" in arabic. it may take the form of marriage, or "living together", which has gained an increasingly widespread acceptance.

in this romantic understanding of love, the "lovers" show to each other all the duties that should be directed toward God, and they show to each other those feelings that should be reserved for God, as if they had an existence apart from Him. these individuals, instead of keeping God in mind, think only of each other. when they first open their eyes in the morning, instead of thanking their Creator for the new day, they think of each other, seeking to please only each other, not to please God. they are willing to sacrifice themselves for each other, but not for God.

in short, each turns the other into god. likewise, when we consider various examples of this warped understanding of love, as has become so widespread in the world, we will find that romantic men and women will openly declare to each other, "I worship you", "Wherever I go, I think about you", and other such expressions. however, wherever one looks, and wherever one goes, the only Being who deserves to be adored is God, the Lord of the Universe.

unfortunately, romantic love appears to be an innocent kind of love, though it is a type of "idolatry", reprehensible in the sight of God. however, satan blinds people to the truth, and so, in this case, he has again warped the truth to make it seem pleasant, and to make people follow the way he shows them:

...Satan made their actions seem good to them and so debarred them from the Way, even though they had been granted insight. [QS al-Ankabuut 38]

the Qu'ran calls special attention to the errant passion felt for a man/woman in this kind of romantic love. the recipient of this love can be anyone: a husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend, even a distant "platonic" love. if this kind of love prevents a person from remembering God as he ought, or makes him prefer his beloved in his heart rather than God, it leads that person into idolatry. people who live absorbed in this romantic man-woman relationship, are often unaware of the dangers into which they have put themselves. because of the fact that they have followed their cues since childhood from a misguided society, without knowing that the Qu'ran is their only guide to the right path, they are completely unaware that the way they have been living is a wrong in the sight of God. because they live their lives without cognisance of God, they become trapped in a mire of ignorance, though they believe they are on the right way. however, because they have no faith in God, their wisdom and understanding have become blind.

the kind of romantic love that leads to idolatry has become acceptable in society under completely "innocent" rubrics, as "mere romance", "true feelings", or "dating"; it is even praised and encouraged. usually, it is at a young age that people fall under the influence of romanticism, which prevents the development of their minds and conscience, keeping them ignorant of religion, faith and the purpose of creation. they have forgotten God, and know nothing about loving or fearing Him. idolatry then becomes the common practise of this misguided generation.

television and films often impose romantic and emotional subjects on viewers. they contend that sentimentality is merely a natural tendency in human beings. romance is one of the most consistent and marketable themes in music, poetry and literature. satan knows very well that sentimentality is a sickness that prevents people from thinking properly, of recognising reality, of being mindful of God, and of contemplating the purpose of creation and the afterlife, and that it lures people away from practising their religion, and leads them ultimately into idolatry. therefore, he seeks to mislead society at every turn by means of an intense and constant bombardment of sentimental themes.

consequently, those who think that idolatry simply refers to the worship of false-gods, or statues made of stone or wood, should be careful not to regard themselves as immune from this matter, or to be among those who will say on the last day, "By God, our Lord, we were not idolators." [QS al-An'aam 23]