Part 7
By Khyber Jalal
5. Moderation in Love and Enmity
Another area where Islam strongly emphasizes moderation and balance is in love and hatred. Human nature is such that people sometimes go to extremes in their love for someone, while at other times they cross every limit in their hatred and resentment toward others. Islam, however, teaches Muslims to remain fair and balanced in both situations.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
«أَحبِب حَبيبَكَ هَوْنًا مَا، عَسَى أَنْ يَكُونَ بَغِيضَكَ يَوْمًا مَا، وَأَبْغِضْ بَغِيضَكَ هَوْنًا مَا، عَسَى أَنْ يَكُونَ حَبِيبَكَ يَوْمًا مَا.» [ترمذي، باب ما جاء في الاقتصاد في الحب والبغض، حدیث: 1997]
“Love whom you love mildly, perhaps he will become hateful to you someday. Hate whom you hate mildly, perhaps he will become your beloved someday.” (Tirmidhi, hadith 1997)
This Prophetic guidance reminds us that emotions should never lead a person away from justice and sound judgment. The one who deserves our affection and respect today may one day behave in a way that changes that relationship. Likewise, the person with whom we disagree today may tomorrow become a close and trusted friend.
The Holy Quran also commands Muslims to uphold justice even toward those they regard as enemies:
﴿وَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ عَلَىٰ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا ۚ اعْدِلُوا هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَى﴾ [المائدة: 8]
“And do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness.” (Al-Ma’idah: 8)
Based on this principle, a Muslim neither goes so far in love that he begins to venerate and idolize people, nor does he allow enmity to lead him into oppression, false accusations, insults, or injustice. Islam wants human relationships to be built on fairness, wisdom, and moderation, so that society remains protected from extremism, blind prejudice, and unnecessary conflict.
For that reason, love and hatred in Islam are not driven by personal desires or passing emotions. They are governed by justice, good character, and the pursuit of Allah’s pleasure. This is one of the clearest examples of Islam’s balanced approach.
Unfortunately, there are groups that claim to represent Islam but have gone so far in their hatred that they have forgotten the teachings and guidance of Islam altogether. They kill the women, children, and those who have been granted protection among their enemies in the most brutal and disgusting ways, and then take pride in what they have done. Such acts stand in complete contradiction to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Countless other examples of these violations can also be found.
