Whoever from among you turns back from his religion (Islam) (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5: 54)

O you who believe! Whoever from among you turns back from his religion (Islam), Allah will bring a people whom He will love and they will love Him; humble towards the believers, stern towards the disbelievers, fighting in the way of Allah, and never fearing the blame of the blamers. That is the grace of Allah which He bestows on whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower. (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5: 54)


Threatening to Replace the Believers With Another People if They Revert from Islam

Allah emphasizes His mighty ability and states that whoever reverts from supporting His religion and establishing His Law, then Allah will replace them with whomever is better, mightier and more righteous in Allah's religion and Law. Allah said in other Ayat,

And if you turn away, He will exchange you for some other people and they will not be your likes. (Surah Muhammad 47: 38) and,

Do you not see that Allah has created the heavens and the earth with truth If He will, He can remove you and bring (in your place) a new creation! And for Allah that is not hard or difficult.)[Surah Ibrahim 14: 19-20].  Verily this is not difficult or hard on Allah. Allah said here,

O you who believe! Whoever from among you turns back from his religion... and turns back from the truth to falsehood, from now until the commencement of the Last Hour. Allah said next,

humble towards the believers, stern towards the disbelievers. These are the qualities of perfect believers, as they are humble with their believing brothers and allies, stern with their enemies and adversaries. In another Ayah, Allah said,

Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. And those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves. (Surah Al-Fath 48: 29) The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) is described as the smiling fighter, smiling to his allies and fighting his enemies. Allah's statement,

Fighting in the way of Allah, and never fearing the blame of the blamers. Nothing prevents them from obeying Allah, establishing His Law, fighting His enemies, enjoining righteousness and forbidding evil. Certainly, nothing prevents them from taking this path, neither someone who seeks to hinder them, nor one who blames or chastises them. Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Dharr (Radhi Allahu Anhu) said, "My Khalil (intimate friend, the Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam)  has commanded me to do seven deeds. He commanded me to love the poor and to be close to them. He commanded me to look at those who are less than me and not those who are above me. He commanded me to keep the relations of the womb, even if they cut it. He commanded me not to ask anyone for anything, to say the truth even if it was bitter, and to not fear the blame of anyone for the sake of Allah. He commanded me to often repeat, `La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah (There is no strength or power except from Allah)', for these words are from a treasure under the Throne (of Allah).'' It is confirmed in the Sahih;

The believer is not required to humiliate himself.  He (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was asked; "How does one humiliate himself, O Messenger of Allah'' So he (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) replied;

He takes on tests that he cannot bear.

That is the grace of Allah which He bestows on whom He wills. meaning, those who have these qualities, acquired it by Allah's bounty and favor and because He granted them these qualities.

And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower, His favor is ever extending, and He has perfect knowledge of those who deserve or do not deserve His favor and bounty.


Source: Tafsir ibn Kathir (Abridged)