In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Abu Hurairah [radiyallaahu-anhu] narrated: The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] said, “Love your beloved one modestly, for it may be that he will become hated to you someday. And hate the one whom you hate modestly, for it may be that he will become your beloved one someday”. [Ref 1]

Ibnul Atheer [rahimahullaah] stated, ‘’This means that you should love your beloved one with moderation and do not go beyond bounds. Do not go into extremes in your love and hate, for it may be that one day you’ll hate the one you used to love and love the one you used to hate. Therefore, neither exaggerate in your love and become regretful [in future], nor exaggerate in your hatred and thus become shy in the presence of the one you used to hate after you stop hating him”.

Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadi [hafidhahullaah] said, “O my brothers! Should we love and hate for the sake of Allaah [in relation to our relationship with] ahlul bidah?! Should we love and hate for the sake of Allaah [in relation to relationship with] them? And is that not the strongest handhold of Eemaan?! Every one of you knows what the Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] stated, ‘The strongest handhold of Eemaan is love for the sake of Allaah and hate for the sake of Allaah’. Have we established what this hadeeth necessitates in the correct manner?! By Allaah, I see that love – in most cases – is given to ahlul bidah and in most cases many people show enmity to Ahlus Sunnah! This is something that occurs a lot; therefore, you -O brothers – give excuses to those who fall into the snares of those misguided people to such an extent that no more excuses [can be given to them]; however, after clarification, then the proofs have been established against them”. [Ref 3]

Ref 1: Sunan Tirmidhee 1997. Declared saheeh by Imaam Albaani in his checking of Tirmidhee]

Ref 2: An-Nihaayah 5/284

[Ref 3: An Excerpt from Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm’ pages 26-27]