UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

"When the Smoke Clears, look to your left and right"
BY GRAYLON ABUKHADIR MAYBERRY 

***

Unconditional Love: A Tangible Force Beyond Words

Unconditional love is often described as boundless, selfless, and divine—a pure emotion that transcends the logic of reciprocity. Yet, in an era of conditional relationships and emotional caution, many still ask: Can unconditional love truly exist? To me, it not only exists—it is tangible, observable, and expressed through action rather than words.

 Advocating for Unconditional Love

Advocates across disciplines view unconditional love as the foundation of emotional health and human unity.  
- Spiritual traditions teach that it mirrors the divine. In Christianity, it is God's love for all creation; in Islam, it is reflected in the compassionate nature of Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful)—a name of Allah that shares a root with “rahim” (womb), symbolizing the nurturing, unconditional love a mother bestows upon her child (World.HEY.com, 2021).  
- Psychologists such as Carl Rogers described unconditional positive regard as essential to personal growth and healing, emphasizing acceptance without judgment (Rogers, 1957).  
- Sociologists and philosophers point to unconditional love as a counterforce to modern alienation—a reminder that empathy and selflessness sustain human community.

Unconditional love in relationships manifests as patience, loyalty, and forgiveness. It acknowledges flaws yet chooses compassion. It endures because it is rooted not in possession but in presence. 

 Critical Viewpoints

Critics, however, warn that unconditional love is not always healthy when misunderstood or misapplied.  
- It can blur boundaries, leading to emotional exploitation or codependency.  
- It may encourage self-sacrifice to the point of neglecting one’s own wellbeing.  
- In some cases, it is used to justify toxic behavior under the guise of loyalty or faith.

For these reasons, many argue that unconditional love should be paired with wisdom. The most enduring form of love is unconditional in compassion but discerning in action—love that uplifts rather than enables.

 My Personal Viewpoint

To me, unconditional love is not unattainable idealism; it is a tangible reality, made known through intention, sacrifice, and sincerity. It is what compels parents to protect, friends to forgive, and strangers to comfort one another. It is seen and felt—in gestures, in silence, and in endurance.

Unconditional love is not measured by permanence but by presence. It is an energy that quietly persists, even when trust is broken or words fail. The tangible proof of its existence lies in everyday acts of patience, forgiveness, and empathy—the invisible architecture of human grace.

 Divine & Maternal Love in Islam

Islam profoundly expresses unconditional love through the concept of Allah’s mercy (Ar-Rahman), likening it to the love of a mother—proactive, selfless, and nurturing (World.HEY.com, 2021). According to an authentic narration:

“Allah is more merciful to His servants than this mother is to her child.”  
(Sahih al-Bukhari 5999; Sahih Muslim 2754)

This saying of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ encapsulates the very essence of unconditional love: to even begin to understand love, reflect upon the tenderness of a mother’s heart—unconditional, instinctive, and enduring.

***

### References

Rogers, C. R. (1957). Unconditional positive regard: A therapist's perspective. *Journal of Consulting Psychology*.

World.HEY.com. (2021). Why religion? The meaning of ar-Rahman and the womb: Infinite unconditional love in Islam.

Al-Bukhari, M. I. (n.d.). Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5999. Muslim, H. (n.d.). Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2754.

Citations:
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[2] How do I remove numbers from reference list - EndNote Community https://community.endnote.com/t/how-do-i-remove-numbers-from-reference-list/724819
[3] How do I get the default in-text APA style to drop the "p." when I edit ... https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5244832/how-do-i-get-the-default-in-text-apa-style-to-drop
[4] Remove doi number from reference list - Zotero Forums https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/66469/remove-doi-number-from-reference-list
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