Chemistry of Emotions: From Childish Desires to Universal Feelings (But who resembles the people of Sudan?)   Captain Mohammed Hassan Al-Tahir  

 

Date: April 25, 2026

Love and hate are not merely passing emotions; they are the product of a subtle chemistry that interacts deep within the human soul and reflects on the unity and cohesion of nations. Plato expressed this relationship through the chemistry of similarity, which says that like attracts like.

He meant that similarity draws things together, so hearts:

– Harmonize when they share values,

– Repel when their inclinations diverge.

Yet this chemistry passes through the childish stage of desires, leading a person toward Megalomania (the grandiose tyrant) or Egocentrism (self-centeredness).

Thus, one becomes captive to childish impulses seeking control and selfishness. Here emerges the role of the alter ego—that other face which balances the self and restores it to humility and integration with others (instead of selfishness, which in some nations seems like a trait nursed from their mothers’ breasts, producing a chemistry of self-love and programming toward selfishness and meanness).

The impact of chemistry on love and hate appears in its outcomes:

– Love arises when internal interactions between mind and emotion harmonize, releasing chemicals in the brain such as dopamine and oxytocin, which make a person inclined toward others and feel at ease with them.

– Hate, on the other hand, is linked to increased stress hormones like cortisol, driving a person to aversion and withdrawal.

These chemical reactions are not mere biology, but reflections of our deep perception of others and our way of dealing with ourselves.

Thus, the chemistry of love is tied to certain human perceptions:

– Perception: How do we see the other—threat or support?

– Cognition: How do we interpret their behavior and build judgments upon it?

– Imagination: How do we form an idealized or distorted image of them in our minds?

– Transcendence: How do we elevate love beyond personal interest, as Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) did when he placed love of the Prophet above himself?

– Reality: How do emotions translate into tangible behavior that achieves unity among nations or sows division along the path from childish desires to universal feelings?

A child loves instinctively when he wants something, and hates when he does not get it. But a mature person transcends this childishness, rising to universal feelings, where love becomes a moral and faith-based stance, not just a fleeting desire.

Here the unity of nations shines: when individuals overcome selfishness and dissolve into a higher love that gathers them upon truth and goodness.

The dialogue between Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) and the Prophet (peace be upon him) is a living example of this transformation—from natural self-love to love that transcends the self, becoming the foundation of perfect faith and unity of the community.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “None of you truly believes until I am dearer to him than his own self, wealth, and children.”

Umar replied: “You are dearer to me than everything except myself.”

The Prophet said: “No, Umar.”

Then Umar said: “Now you are dearer to me than myself.”

From this hadith arises the question:

– What changed so that Umar’s judgment changed?

It becomes clear that the change was in Umar’s heart and his understanding of the meaning of love. At first, he saw self-love as natural and dominant. But the Prophet clarified that perfect faith requires prioritizing love of the Prophet even over the self, because the self may lead one to oppose God’s command.

Upon hearing this, Umar’s inner perception shifted—he realized that true salvation lies in following the Prophet and placing his love above the self. His heart immediately surrendered, and he said: “Now you are dearer to me than myself.”

Thus, what changed was:

– The understanding of the required love.

– The balance of mind and heart: Umar changed the scale of love after realizing that the self could be a cause of ruin, while love of the Prophet is the cause of salvation.

– The heartfelt transformation from natural self-inclination to complete submission to the Messenger.

This teaches us that love is not just an instinctive feeling, but a faith-based stance built on the realization that obedience to the Prophet must be placed above personal desire. He (peace be upon him) is the supporter of truth, the guide to the straight path, and the caller to brotherly love:

– “None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”

– “He does not believe whose neighbor is not safe from his harm.”

We conclude that Islam has lost nothing in the decline of Muslims during its course; rather, it remains a call to universal noble feelings. Teach the youth knowledge that clarifies the paths of life, and before knowledge, teach them morals.

And finally: Like attracts like—but who resembles the people of Sudan?