—“But if they press you to associate with Me something about which you have no knowledge, then do not obey them; yet keep them good company in this worldly life and follow the path of him who turns to Me.” (31:15)

It is related that the mother of Asmāʾ once came to her seeking her dutifulness while she was still an idolater. Asmāʾ therefore asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ for permission to honour her, and he said, “Maintain the tie with your mother.”

Allah the Exalted also says: “You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day showing affection to those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even though they be their fathers or their sons …” (58:22).

Thus, maintaining ties and repaying worldly kindness are one thing, while harboring affection is quite another. Because showing courtesy and fair dealing may attract the disbeliever to Islam, the two belong to the means of daʿwah. Affection and alliance, however, signify approving the disbeliever’s present state and being pleased with him, which in turn leads to neglecting the call to Islam.