Assalamu Alaykum.Why does Allah SWT tell us to be stern against the disbelievers in 48:29 and 5:54?Jazakallah Khayr

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

A requirement of loving Allaah is loving those whom Allaah loves and hating those whom Allaah hates, and being an ally of those of whom Allaah is an ally and being an enemy of those of whom Allaah is an enemy. Indeed, Allaah told us in the Quran that he does not love the disbelievers and that He is their enemy. He also said that they are His enemies and the enemies of His Messengers. Allaah says (what means): {…then indeed, Allaah does not like the disbelievers.} [Quran 3:32], {Indeed, He does not like the disbelievers.} [Quran 30:45], {…then indeed, Allaah is an enemy to the disbelievers.} [Quran 2:98]

It is not possible for sincere love of Allaah and love of Allaah's enemies or enmity to Allaah's allies to converge in the heart of a servant. It is for this reason that the Prophet said: “The strongest bonds of faith are allegiance for the sake of Allaah, enmity for the sake of Allaah, love for the sake of Allaah and hate for the sake of Allaah.” [At-Tabaraani - Al-Albaani graded it Saheeh (sound)]

The Prophet also said: “Whoever loves for the sake of Allaah and hates for the sake of Allaah, he has indeed reached the level of complete faith.” [Abu Dawood - Al-Albaani graded it Saheeh (sound)]

Hence, a believer in principal loves Allaah, and loving others is subsequent to it. So if we believe that Allaah loves a person, we love him even if he is of distant relation, and if we believe that Allaah hates a person, we hate him even if he is a close relative.

Here, it should be noted that this is only regarding love for the sake of religion. As for loving a disbeliever not for the sake of his religion but for the sake of kinship, marital or business relations, or for the sake of knowledge or benefit that he provides to others, this is a natural love from instinct and human nature. This kind of love is not forbidden, but it must be associated with hate and dissociation for the sake of religion.

This is in terms of the inner self or the actions of the heart. As regards manifested practical behavior, it must be governed by the guidelines of Islam. In origin, the relationship between a Muslim and non-belligerent non-Muslims is based on kindness and justice, and preaching the truth as much as possible. Hating them does not mean not being kind to them or being unjust with them. Allaah says (what means): {Allaah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes — from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allaah loves those who act justly.} [Quran 60:8] For more benefit, kindly refer to Fatwa 198585.

This practical behavior does not run counter to hating them for the sake of Allaah, because they disbelieved in Him and denied His right, which is the greatest and most deserving of all rights.

It should be noted here that being stern with the disbelievers as mentioned in the two verses that you stated in the question, does not contradict being kind and just towards them, because that does not mean oppressing them or violating their legitimate rights. Rather, the way Muslims treat non-Muslims should be based on the Muslim's feeling proud of his religion and not humiliating himself before unbelievers. Dr. Abdul Kareem Zaydaan said in his book Usool Ad-Da’wah, commenting on the verse: {…powerful against the disbelievers…} [Quran 5:54]: "This is like the verse: {Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers,…} [Quran 48:29]. That is to say that he [a Muslim] is not to be degraded, or succumb, or does not feel belittled neither in their presence nor in their absence, not outwardly and not inwardly. He is strong against them in the same manner he is gentle to the believers.” [End of quote]

On the other hand, the Tafseer al-Waseet, supervised by the Islamic Research Academy in al-Azhar University, reads: “The Prophet and his Companions were described as being stern against the disbelievers in order to eliminate the disbelievers' hopes that the Prophet would flatter them or abandon or renounce some of what was revealed to him for their sake. Indeed, Allaah commanded His Prophet in another verse to be harsh with unbelievers. Allaah says (what means): {O Prophet, strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites and be harsh upon them...} [Quran 66:9] Allaah also described him as merciful to the believers. Allaah says (what means): {There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you [i.e. your guidance] and to the believers is kind and merciful.} [Quran 9:128]...The harshness of the Prophet and his Companions against the disbelievers is when they meet in battle, specifically that they are determined and steadfast. Allaah promised the believers one of two good things, either martyrdom and death for the sake of Allaah, or achieving victory. As regards living with non-belligerent disbelievers, a Muslim should beware of them because they spare no efforts in plotting to harm Muslims. Indeed, Allaah said the truth as He says (what means): {O you who have believed, do not take as intimates those other than yourselves [i.e. believers], for they will not spare you [any] ruin. They wish you would have hardship...} [Quran 3:118] But this does not prevent being good neighbors with them, and being righteous and just with them.” [End of quote]

There is no doubt that treating non-Muslims in this way of balancing kindness and justice to them and strength and sternness may lead them to reflect on Islam and search for the truth about it. As-Sa'di said in his Tafseer: “Harshness and severity with the enemies of Allaah are matters that bring a servant closer to Allaah. He is one with his Lord in His displeasure with them. Harshness toward the enemies of Allaah does not prevent calling to the religion of Islam in the best manner. One should balance between harshness and severity with them and gentleness in calling them to Allaah. Indeed, both matters are in their interest and the benefit therefrom goes back to them.” [End of quote]

For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 88293.

Allaah Knows best.