Is disavowal of and hatred towards disbelievers for the sake of Allah indicative of bearing malice towards them, or are malice and hatred two different things, and is not bearing malice towards disbelievers considered a praiseworthy soundness of heart?

"Al-ghill" (rancor) is hatred and enmity in the heart, and it is legitimate towards a disbeliever due to his disbelief. Allah Almighty said: "There has already been for you an excellent pattern in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people, 'Indeed, we are disassociated from you and from whatever you worship other than Allah. We have denied you, and there has appeared between us and you animosity and hatred forever until you believe in Allah alone.'" As for affection and a sound heart, these are only for Muslims, unless the affection towards a disbeliever is due to his kindness or kinship, and not due to his disbelief; in this case, there is no harm in it. It should be noted that this hatred does not imply oppressing him or denying his rights.