What is our obligation toward the family of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)?

Question:
The questioner asks: What is our obligation toward the family of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)?

Answer:
Our obligation is to love the believers among them who are upright in obedience. We love them for their faith and for their kinship with the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). We love them for their faith and for their kinship with the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), but without exaggeration. Without exaggeration regarding them, as the innovators exaggerate regarding the people of the house, thinking that they can benefit or harm, and that one should seek blessing from them and rub against them. All of this is invalid and has no basis. Love is in the heart. Love is in the heart. It is not love through rubbing against them, or kissing hands or feet or anything else. Love is in the heart; it is faith-based love, love for the kinship of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). This is in the heart. So we respect them and honor them if they are believers. But if they are not Muslims, we do not love them, even if they are relatives of the Messenger. This is Abu Lahab, the uncle of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). Allah revealed what you read: He was the uncle of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) because he did not submit to Islam. So mere kinship is not sufficient; it must be accompanied by faith and Islam.