How can the concept of mutual affection (al-mawaddah) in the verse, "You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day loving those who oppose Allah and His Messenger," be reconciled with the verse, "And you will surely find the nearest of them in affection to the believers those who say, 'We are Christians'"? What is meant by the affection of the Christians in the second verse, and what are its limits?

Believers must not show loyalty to Jews or other disbelievers, for true faith necessitates loving those who are loyal to Allah and showing enmity towards those who oppose Him, even if they are the closest of people. The Quran has clarified that the Jews are the most hostile towards believers, and that Christians are closer in affection, but this does not imply showing them loyalty or love. Rather, this praise applies to those among them who believed, as the verses describe the state of Christians who believed in Allah and what was revealed to the Messenger. Allah has not prohibited showing kindness to non-belligerent disbelievers or exchanging permissible benefits with them.