In order to live by the morals of the Qur’an, one should completely renounce the culture and moral values of the profane society. One of the first things to be abnegated is the understanding of love in a profane society.
In a profane society, all relations and love are based on selfish interests. One person gets along with another well only if there is some benefit to be gained from him or if he is being taken care of by the other or at least is being well-treated by him. Another measure is the family tie. People love others just because they are from the same family; or from the same dynasty, or from the same society, or sometimes even from the same nation.
However, these are not the criteria for the believers. Because believers love Allah more than anything or anyone.
“There are some among men who take for themselvesobjects of worship besides Allah, whom they love as they love Allah, and those who believe are stronger in love for Allah”
Believers, respecting Allah above all else, love those who love Allah, and dislike those who disobey Him. It makes no difference whether those subject to their approval or disapproval are close to them or not. This point is elaborated in the Qur’an:
“You will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, loving (and befriending) those who resist Allah and His Messenger, even though they were their (own) fathers or their sons, or their brothers, or their kindred. For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with a spirit from Himself. And He will admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow, to dwell therein (for ever). Allah is well pleased with them, and they with Him. They are the party of Allah. Truly, it is the party of Allah that will achieve felicity.”
Having even a little love for the unbelievers would never be a proper attitude for a believer. Believers are seriously warned against this in the Qur’an:
"O you who believe! Take not my enemies and yours as friends (or protectors), offering them (your) love, even though they have rejected the Truth that has come to you, and have (on the contrary) driven out the Prophet and yourselves (from your homes), (simply) because you believe in Allah your Lord! If you have come out to strive in My Way and to seek My Good Pleasure, (how) you hold secretconverse of love (and friendship) with them?I know full well all that you conceal and all that you reveal. And any of you that does this has strayed from the Straight Path"
The behaviour of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and those that followed him is an excellent example for all believers:
“There is for you an excellent example (to follow) in Ibrahim (Abraham) and those with him, when they said to their people:
‘We are clear of you and of whatever you worship besides Allah: we have rejected you, and there has arisen, between us and you, enmity and hatred for ever, unless you believe in Allah and Him alone’”
