This ḥadīth has already been quoted, together with many other reports that convey the same instruction.

As for the proof that love and affection are due solely to the friends of Allah and never to His enemies, it is found in numerous Qur’anic verses. Among them are His words: “You will never find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day showing affection to those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they were their fathers, their sons, their brothers, or their kindred” (Qur’an 58:22). He also says: “O you who believe, whoever among you turns back from his religion, Allah will bring forth a people He loves and who love Him—humble toward the believers, stern toward the disbelievers” (Qur’an 5:54). And He says: “A Messenger has certainly come to you from among yourselves; grievous to him is your suffering; he is anxious over you; toward the believers he is most kind and merciful” (Qur’an 9:128).

Thus Allah, Exalted is He, informs us that the Prophet’s mercy and compassion are reserved for the believers. He likewise tells of the Prophet and his Companions that they are “strong against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves” (Qur’an 48:29), and He says: “O Prophet, strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites and be stern with them” (Qur’an 9:73).

Many ḥadīths also state: “The firmest bond of faith is loyalty for the sake of Allah and enmity for the sake of Allah, love for the sake of Allah and hatred for the sake of Allah.” Taken together, these aḥādīth and the preceding verses constitute the most decisive refutation of those who ally themselves with, and show affection toward, the disbelievers and the hypocrites.