al-Mawadda is interpreted in four ways:
1. al-Mawadda is used in the sense of maḥabba (love, affection), as in the following verses:
Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds – the Most Merciful will appoint for them affection (that is, their Lord will love them and make them beloved to His friends). (Maryam 19:96)
Indeed, your Lord is Merciful and Affectionate (that is, He makes His friends beloved). (Hud 11:90)
He is Forgiving and Affectionate (that is, He makes His friends beloved). (al-Buruj 85:15)
He has placed between you mawadda (that is, love). (al-Rum 30:21)
2. al-Mawadda is used in the sense of naṣīḥa (wishing well for someone, sincere counsel), as in the following verses:
O you who have believed! Do not take My enemies and your enemies as allies, extending to them mawadda (that is, extending naṣīḥa [wishing them well])... (al-Mumtahina 60:1)
Do not harbor secret mawadda for them (that is, do not give naṣīḥa [do not inwardly wish them well])! (al-Mumtahina 60:1)
Perhaps Allah will create between you and those to whom you have been enemies a mawadda (that is, a state of naṣīḥa [wishing them well]). (al-Mumtahina 60:7)
3. The word al-Mawadda is used in the sense of ṣila (maintaining kinship ties), as in the following verse:
Say: "I do not ask you for any reward for this except mawadda in kinship (that is, that you do not harm me out of regard for kinship ties and that you protect me so I may convey my Lord's message)." (al-Shura 42:23)
4. With al-Mawadda, what is meant is (mawadda / love) in religion, as in the following verses:
Perhaps Allah will create between you and those to whom you have been enemies a mawadda (a friendship / love) concerning (religion and guardianship). (al-Mumtahina 60:7)
As if there had never been between you and him any mawadda (that is, friendship, loyalty, love) concerning (religion and guardianship)... (al-Nisa 4:73)