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The Command for Harshness

While modern Muslims emphasize Islam's compassion and mercy, the Quran explicitly commands believers to be harsh toward disbelievers. This isn't a misinterpretation—it's stated plainly in multiple verses.

"Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves..." — Quran 48:29

The Arabic word translated as "forceful" or "harsh" is ashiddā' (أَشِدَّاءُ), which means "severe," "stern," "harsh," or "violent." This isn't mild disapproval—it's commanded intensity against non-Muslims.

Another Command for Harshness

"O you who have believed, fight those adjacent to you of the disbelievers and let them find in you harshness. And know that Allah is with the righteous." — Quran 9:123

Here the word is ghilẓah (غِلْظَةً), meaning "harshness," "severity," or "roughness." Muslims are commanded to ensure disbelievers experience this harshness directly.

The Contrast: Mercy vs. Harshness

Quran 48:29 creates a stark division in how Muslims should treat different groups:

Toward fellow Muslims: "merciful among themselves" (ruhamā', رُحَمَاءُ)
Toward disbelievers: "forceful" or "harsh" (ashiddā', أَشِدَّاءُ)

This isn't accidental—the Quran deliberately commands different treatment based on religious belief.

Classical Scholarly Understanding

Ibn Kathir's Commentary

The renowned scholar Ibn Kathir explained this verse: "The believers are harsh with the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. They do not show any compassion to the disbelievers that might prevent them from executing Allah's judgment against them." He understood this as commanding Muslims to be unyielding and severe with non-Muslims.

Al-Tabari's Interpretation

Al-Tabari, one of Islam's most authoritative early commentators, confirmed that believers must be tough and harsh with disbelievers, showing no softness or leniency that might interfere with implementing Islamic law.

How This Harshness Manifests

Islamic law codifies this commanded harshness in various ways:

1. Legal Inequality

Non-Muslims cannot testify against Muslims in court
A Muslim's life is worth more in diyah (blood money) than a non-Muslim's
Non-Muslims are prohibited from positions of authority over Muslims
In disputes, Islamic law favors Muslims over non-Muslims

2. Social Restrictions

Reliance of the Traveller, a classic manual of Sunni Islamic law, prescribes:

Christians and Jews must pay jizya tax in humiliation (see our article on jizya)
They cannot build new houses of worship or repair old ones
They must wear distinctive clothing to identify them as non-Muslims
They cannot display religious symbols publicly
They must stand when Muslims enter and show deference

3. Theological Attitudes

The Quran's harshest language is reserved for disbelievers:

"The worst of creatures" (Quran 8:55, 98:6)
Compared to "donkeys" and "dogs" (Quran 7:176, 62:5)
Destined for eternal torture in hell
Worthy of Allah's curse and anger

Practical Applications Throughout History

This commanded harshness wasn't theoretical—it shaped Islamic treatment of non-Muslims:

Forced conversions: Especially of polytheists who faced the choice of Islam or death
Dhimmi oppression: Christians and Jews subjected to systematic discrimination
Destruction of worship sites: Temples, churches, and synagogues demolished
Economic exploitation: Heavy taxation and confiscation of property
Social humiliation: Ritual acts designed to degrade non-Muslims

Modern Manifestations

In countries applying Islamic law today:

Pakistan: Christians face blasphemy accusations, mob violence, and forced conversions
Saudi Arabia: Non-Islamic worship prohibited; non-Muslims barred from Mecca and Medina
Iran: Baha'is systematically persecuted; Christians arrested for evangelism
Afghanistan (Taliban): Hindus and Sikhs forced to identify themselves, subjected to violence
Egypt: Coptic Christians face church attacks, forced conversions, and discrimination

The "Context" Defense

Some Muslims argue these verses only applied to specific 7th-century warfare. However:

The verses don't include temporal or geographic limitations
They're stated as general principles, not specific battle instructions
Classical scholars applied them universally, not historically
Islamic law codified them as permanent rules
They continue to influence treatment of non-Muslims today

The Incompatibility with Pluralism

These verses create fundamental challenges for religious pluralism:

How can Muslims treat non-Muslims as equals when commanded to be harsh?
Can genuine interfaith dialogue occur when scripture mandates different treatment?
Is religious freedom possible under these theological principles?
Can Islamic societies fully embrace human rights given these commands?

Comparison with Jesus's Teaching

The contrast with Jesus couldn't be starker:

"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven." — Matthew 5:44-45

"Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God... if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink." — Romans 12:19-20

Jesus commanded kindness toward enemies; Muhammad commanded harshness toward disbelievers. For more on Jesus in Islam vs. Christianity, see our Prophets section.

Questions to Consider

How can commanded harshness toward disbelievers be reconciled with religious tolerance?
What does this commanded attitude reveal about Allah's view of non-Muslims?
Can Muslims genuinely embrace universal human rights while following these verses?
Why would a merciful God command harshness based on belief differences?
How do these verses affect Muslim-non-Muslim relations today?

Conclusion

The Quranic command for harshness toward disbelievers isn't a fringe interpretation—it's explicit in the text and confirmed by classical scholarship. While many modern Muslims show kindness to non-Muslims, they do so despite these verses, not because of them. The tension between Islamic texts and modern values of equality and tolerance remains unresolved.

Harshness Toward Disbelievers: A Quranic Command