Mwaleey

Respect a lover even if you cannot reciprocate their love. Love is sacred, so do not ridicule or mock someone simply because they opened their heart to you.

To be loved is a great honor, even though not everyone will find the sustenance of their love in your heart. Imam Shafi said:

‎فما كل من تهواه يهواك قلبه،
‎ولا كل من صافيته لك قد صفا.

“Not everyone you love will love you back,
And not everyone you are sincere with will be sincere with you.”

Treat them with respect and never say, “I don’t love you”, for such words are neither kind nor beneficial. A believer should benefit from every word they utter:

‎الكلمة الطيبة صدقة.

“A kind word is charity.”

Be kind and polite until your actions gently make it clear that you have no interest in matrimony with them, or that you are engaged to someone else or have already promised another.

You do not know what the future holds, nor do you know whom Allah has paired you with. Allah says:

لا تدري لعل الله يحدث بعد ذلك أمرا.

“You do not know—perhaps Allah will bring about something new thereafter.”

Allah is Merciful.

Ali ibn Abu Talib (r) was asked, “To what extent did you love the Prophet ﷺ?’ Ali replied, “By Allah, we loved him more than our money, wealth, fathers, mothers and cold water when one is thirsty”

[Ash-Shifaa by Ayad].