Allah brought about affection between them and the messengers and believers. They differed in the degree of that affection: ‘Ikrimah, Suhayl, and al-Hārith ibn Hishām had greater affection than Abū Sufyān ibn Harb and others like him. It is established in the Sahīh that Hind, the wife of Abū Sufyān and mother of Mu‘āwiyah, said:

“By Allah, O Messenger of Allah, there was no household on earth that I wished to see humiliated more than yours. Now there is no household on earth that I wish to see honored more than yours.”

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, expressed something similar to her.

It is well known that the love and affection between believers follow from their love for Allah Most High, for the firmest bond of faith is loving for Allah’s sake and hating for Allah’s sake. Loving for Allah’s sake is part of perfecting monotheism, whereas loving others as rivals to Allah is polytheism.

Allah Most High says:

“Among people are those who take others besides Allah as equals, loving them as they love Allah. But those who believe are stronger in their love for Allah.”

Thus, the affection that developed between the Messenger and the believers, on the one hand, and the polytheists who had opposed them, on the other, was affection and love for Allah’s sake. Whoever loves Allah, Allah loves him; whoever holds Allah dear, Allah holds him dear. It is therefore clear that Allah loved them and held them dear after their repentance, just as they loved Him and held Him dear. How, then, can it be said that one who repents receives forgiveness but not affection?

If someone says:

“Those people were unbelievers who did not know that what they had done was forbidden; rather, they were ignorant, unlike someone who knows that an act is forbidden yet commits it.”