165- ((hot)) — Yuhibbunahum Kahubbillah Wallazina Amanuu Ashaddu Hubban Lillah -al-baqarah

The letter Kaf (ك) here is for comparison ( tashbih ). It indicates equality or similarity. The disbelievers love their false gods as if they were Allah—with the same awe, reverence, submission, and devotion. They run to their idols in crisis. They swear by them. They defend their honor. This is the height of shirk (associating partners with Allah).

This phrase has been interpreted by scholars like Al-Tabari and Al-Qurtubi in two primary ways: The letter Kaf (ك) here is for comparison ( tashbih )

"Wa minan naasi man yattakhizu min doonillahi andadan yuhibbunahum kahubbillah, wallazina amanuu ashaddu hubban lillah..." wallazina amanuu ashaddu hubban lillah..."