About the types of intrigues and instigations of the Zhaitan

Sheikhul-Islyam Ibn Taymiyyah (661-728 AH) said:

“Shaitan wants a person to be excessive in all his deeds!

 If the Shaitan sees that a person is inclined to show mercy, then he begins to embellish him with mercy to such an extent that he does not show hatred even for what Allah shows hatred for, and ceases to be jealous of what Allah is jealous of.

If the shaitan sees a person leaning towards severity, then he begins to embellish his severity in manifesting this not for the sake of Allah, that he even begins to abandon the manifestation of piety, kindness, gentleness, maintaining connections and showing mercy, which Allah and His Messenger commanded (peace and blessings be upon him Allah). And overstepping the boundaries in his severity, he begins to show excessive condemnation, hatred and punishment, transgressing what is beloved by Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). “

 See “Majmu’ul-fataua” 15/292