and asked to be excused for taking action against Ibn Ubayy, and Sa'd ibn Mu'ādh gave him his commendable reply, Sa'd ibn 'Ubādah rose to Ibn Ubayy’s defence despite his sound faith and sincerity. Each man’s tribe rallied around him, until strife nearly broke out.

The fundamental principle here is that a person’s love of good and hatred of evil, his desire for the former and aversion to the latter, should accord with Allah’s love and hatred, and with what He wills and dislikes as expressed in His revealed law. His efforts to do what is loved and to repel what is disliked should be commensurate with his strength and ability, for Allah does not burden any soul beyond its capacity. He has said:

“So fear Allah as much as you are able.” [Sūrat al-Taghābun, 16]