The Zanaadiqah - or the heretics - are groups, such as many of the Soofees who have become like the Christians and reduced the religion to just 'love' and so all their talk and all their mystical practices are centred around developing more 'love'.

It is thus clear how imbalances in any of the three qualities of worship can lead to major deviation and straying from the True Guidance, Therefore it is important for every Muslim to inculcate all three things in his heart properly. As was mentioned before, the fear and hope should be in equal proportions[6] but as for love, then that should be uppermost, As Fudayl ibn Iyyaad (d.187H) said: "The love is better than fear. The fear checks us from sinning, and the love makes us to do what is prescribed with an open heart."[7]

May Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala grant us what we hope for and protect us from what we fear. Aameen.

Footnotes

1 This is why the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam encouraged us to give gifts to one another. He said: "Give gifts to one another, you will come to love one another." [Hasan - Collected in al-Bukhaaree's al-Adabul-Mufrad & declared hasan by al-Albaanee in al-Irwaa(1601).

2 As explained by Ibnul-Qayyim (d.751H) in Badaa'i-ul-Faawaa'id & others.

3 Hasan - Collected by at-Tirmidhee & Ibn Maajah. Authenticated by al-Albaanee in Ahkaamul-Janaa'iz (no. 2).

4 Quoted by ibn Rajab in at-Takhweef minan-Naar as the saying of one of the Salaf.

5 Saheeh - Reported by Aboo Hurairah & collected in Aboo Daawood (eng. trans. vol.3 p.1365 no.4883). Authenticatd by al-Albaanee in Saheehul-Jaami (4455).

6 This was the opinion of most of the Salaf. Al-Fudayl ibn 'Iyyaad said that when one is healthy and well, then fear should predominate, but when terminally ill then hope should predominate - so that one should strive to do good when well and not despair of Allah's Mercy when terminally ill. [At-Takhweef minan-Naar].