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Kafir: Difference between revisions
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(Created page with "{{QualityScore|Lead=3|Structure=3|Content=3|Language=3|References=2}}In Islamic terminology, a '''kāfir''' (كافر ; plural كفّار ''kuffār'') is a ''disbeliever'', or...") |
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{{QualityScore|Lead=3|Structure=3|Content=3|Language= | {{QualityScore|Lead=3|Structure=3|Content=3|Language=4|References=2}}In Islamic terminology, a '''kāfir''' (كافر ; plural كفّار ''kuffār'') is a ''disbeliever'', or someone who rejects or does not believe in [[Allah]] as the one and only God and [[Muhammad]] as the final messenger of Allah.<ref>"...''Kafir: Literally means "a disbeliever". In Islam it refers to one who rejects Allah and who '''does not believe in Muhammad''' sallallahu alayhi wa sallam as the final messenger of Allah.''..." - [http://www.as-sidq.org/glossary.html Islamic Glossary]</ref><ref>"...''kafir noun (pl=kuffar) '' | ||
1. (Islam) infidel, Infidel, pagan, non-believer; a non-Muslim aside from ahl al-kitab (Christians, Jews, etc.). | 1. (Islam) infidel, Infidel, pagan, non-believer; a non-Muslim aside from ahl al-kitab (Christians, Jews, etc.). | ||
2. (Islam) Infidel, pagan, non-believer;''' any non-Muslim'''. Ref: Shaykh Al-Islam ibn Taymiyyah (Rahimullah) v27 p264: "Whosoever does not forbid people from the deen of the Jews and Christians after the prophethood of the messenger Muhammad (saw) nor declares them kafir nor hates them, he is not a Muslim by the consensus of ALL Muslims, their scholars and the general public."''..."[http://www.allwords.com/word-kafir.html AllWords.com - kafir]''</ref> In the context of Islamic scriptures, "kafir" is the broadest, all encompassing category of non-Muslim, which includes all other sub-categories, such as ''mushrikun'', or polytheists (lit. "those who do ''shirk''", that is, attribute partners to God), ''dahriyah'', or those who deny the existence of any gods outright, as well as those who would today identify as agnostics, or suggest simply their ignorance of the existence of any gods. | 2. (Islam) Infidel, pagan, non-believer;''' any non-Muslim'''. Ref: Shaykh Al-Islam ibn Taymiyyah (Rahimullah) v27 p264: "Whosoever does not forbid people from the deen of the Jews and Christians after the prophethood of the messenger Muhammad (saw) nor declares them kafir nor hates them, he is not a Muslim by the consensus of ALL Muslims, their scholars and the general public."''..."[http://www.allwords.com/word-kafir.html AllWords.com - kafir]''</ref> In the context of Islamic scriptures, "kafir" is the broadest, all encompassing category of non-Muslim, which includes all other sub-categories, such as ''mushrikun'', or polytheists (lit. "those who do ''shirk''", that is, attribute partners to God), ''dahriyah'', or those who deny the existence of any gods outright, as well as those who would today identify as agnostics, or suggest simply their ignorance of the existence of any gods. | ||
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===''Kharijite'', literalist interpretations=== | ===''Kharijite'', literalist interpretations=== | ||
One of the first heretical sects in Islamic history were the ''Kharijites'' who defected from the party of [[Ali]] (''shi'at Ali'' - these were the proto-Shi'ites) during the first civil war (''fitnah'') of [[Caliph|Caliphal]] succession. This group distinguished themselves from other Muslims by their literal interpretation of scriptures which describe sinful Muslims as non-believers. On this interpretation, any Muslim who committed a sin or, in their assessment, failed to judge "by what Allah has revealed" (that is, in this particular case, those who did not follow Islamic political injunctions) was a disbeliever and, consequently, an apostate deserving nothing short of war and death. | One of the first heretical sects in Islamic history were the ''Kharijites'' who defected from the party of [[Ali]] (''shi'at Ali'' - these were the proto-Shi'ites) during the first civil war (''fitnah'') of [[Caliph|Caliphal]] succession. This group distinguished themselves from other Muslims by their literal interpretation of scriptures which describe sinful Muslims as non-believers. On this interpretation, any Muslim who committed a sin or, in their assessment, failed to judge "by what Allah has revealed" (that is, in this particular case, those who did not follow Islamic political injunctions) was a kafir/disbeliever and, consequently, an apostate deserving nothing short of war and death. | ||
This approach ultimately devolves to the practice of declaring that someone who describes themselves as Muslim is, in fact, a non-Muslim or, worse, and apostate. This is known as [[Takfeer|''takfeer'']], or excommunication. Many extremist and [[Jihad|jihadi]] [[Salafi|salafist]] Muslims today employ this practice to justify their attacks on other Muslim populations who disagree with, in practice ''or'' word, their interpretation of Islam. | This approach ultimately devolves to the practice of declaring that someone who describes themselves as Muslim is, in fact, a non-Muslim or, worse, and apostate. This is known as [[Takfeer|''takfeer'']], or excommunication. Many extremist and [[Jihad|jihadi]] [[Salafi|salafist]] Muslims today employ this practice to justify their attacks on other Muslim populations who disagree with, in practice ''or'' word, their interpretation of Islam. | ||
==With relation to the people of other Abrahamic faiths== | ==With relation to the people of other Abrahamic faiths== | ||
Although Christians and Jews are called the [[People of the Book|People of the Book]] (أهل الكتاب ''ahl al-kitab'', a special title given by the Qur'an), orthodox Islamic teachings qualify them as disbelievers<ref>""...''the permissive people, who do not believe in any command or prohibition at all and refer to the Divine will and decree as an excuse for their evil deeds, are worse off than the Jews, Christians and Arab mushrikeen, because even though '''the latter are kaafirs''', they still believe in some kind of command and prohibition''..." - [http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/113901/atheist Atheism is a greater sin than shirk] - Islam Q&A, Fatwa No. 113901</ref><ref>"...''But it is not permissible to marry her, as she is still '''a Kafir (non-Muslim)''' and has not yet embraced Islam wholeheartedly without any doubt.''..." - [http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/index.php?page=showfatwa&Option=FatwaId&Id=88328 Thinking of marrying an atheist] - Dr. Abdullah Al-faqih, Islam Web, Fatwa No. 88328, July 21, 2004</ref><ref>"...''This is something that is well known among the Muslims, and '''they are unanimously agreed that the Christians are kaafirs''', and even that those who do not regard them as kaafirs are also kaafirs''..." - [[Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:People of the Book]]</ref>, and hence '' | Although Christians and Jews are called the [[People of the Book|People of the Book]] (أهل الكتاب ''ahl al-kitab'', a special title given by the Qur'an), orthodox Islamic teachings qualify them as disbelievers<ref>""...''the permissive people, who do not believe in any command or prohibition at all and refer to the Divine will and decree as an excuse for their evil deeds, are worse off than the Jews, Christians and Arab mushrikeen, because even though '''the latter are kaafirs''', they still believe in some kind of command and prohibition''..." - [http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/113901/atheist Atheism is a greater sin than shirk] - Islam Q&A, Fatwa No. 113901</ref><ref>"...''But it is not permissible to marry her, as she is still '''a Kafir (non-Muslim)''' and has not yet embraced Islam wholeheartedly without any doubt.''..." - [http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/index.php?page=showfatwa&Option=FatwaId&Id=88328 Thinking of marrying an atheist] - Dr. Abdullah Al-faqih, Islam Web, Fatwa No. 88328, July 21, 2004</ref><ref>"...''This is something that is well known among the Muslims, and '''they are unanimously agreed that the Christians are kaafirs''', and even that those who do not regard them as kaafirs are also kaafirs''..." - [[Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:People of the Book]]</ref>, and hence ''kufār''. | ||
==Relevant Quotations== | ==Relevant Quotations== | ||
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{{Quote|{{Quran|108|2}}|So pray unto thy Lord, and sacrifice.}} | {{Quote|{{Quran|108|2}}|So pray unto thy Lord, and sacrifice.}} | ||
Disliking | Disliking what Allah has revealed. | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|47|9}}|That is because they are averse to that which Allah hath revealed, therefor maketh He their actions fruitless.}} | {{Quote|{{Quran|47|9}}|That is because they are averse to that which Allah hath revealed, therefor maketh He their actions fruitless.}} | ||
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{{Quote|{{Quran|2|285}}|The messenger believeth in that which hath been revealed unto him from his Lord and (so do) believers. Each one believeth in Allah and His angels and His scriptures and His messengers - We make no distinction between any of His messengers - and they say: We hear, and we obey. (Grant us) Thy forgiveness, our Lord. Unto Thee is the journeying.}} | {{Quote|{{Quran|2|285}}|The messenger believeth in that which hath been revealed unto him from his Lord and (so do) believers. Each one believeth in Allah and His angels and His scriptures and His messengers - We make no distinction between any of His messengers - and they say: We hear, and we obey. (Grant us) Thy forgiveness, our Lord. Unto Thee is the journeying.}} | ||
Judging by any other law aside from | Judging by any other law aside from what Allah has revealed. | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|5|44}}|Lo! We did reveal the Torah, wherein is guidance and a light, by which the prophets who surrendered (unto Allah) judged the Jews, and the rabbis and the priests (judged) by such of Allah's Scripture as they were bidden to observe, and thereunto were they witnesses. So fear not mankind, but fear Me. And barter not My revelations for a little gain. Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed: such are disbelievers.}} | {{Quote|{{Quran|5|44}}|Lo! We did reveal the Torah, wherein is guidance and a light, by which the prophets who surrendered (unto Allah) judged the Jews, and the rabbis and the priests (judged) by such of Allah's Scripture as they were bidden to observe, and thereunto were they witnesses. So fear not mankind, but fear Me. And barter not My revelations for a little gain. Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed: such are disbelievers.}} | ||
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{{Quote|{{Quran|3|85}}|And whoso seeketh as religion other than the Surrender (to Allah) it will not be accepted from him, and he will be a loser in the Hereafter.}} | {{Quote|{{Quran|3|85}}|And whoso seeketh as religion other than the Surrender (to Allah) it will not be accepted from him, and he will be a loser in the Hereafter.}} | ||
Leaving | Leaving the religion of Allah. | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|2|217}}|They question thee (O Muhammad) with regard to warfare in the sacred month. Say: Warfare therein is a great (transgression), but to turn (men) from the way of Allah, and to disbelieve in Him and in the Inviolable Place of Worship, and to expel His people thence, is a greater with Allah; for persecution is worse than killing. And they will not cease from fighting against you till they have made you renegades from your religion, if they can. And whoso becometh a renegade and dieth in his disbelief: such are they whose works have fallen both in the world and the Hereafter. Such are rightful owners of the Fire: they will abide therein.}} | {{Quote|{{Quran|2|217}}|They question thee (O Muhammad) with regard to warfare in the sacred month. Say: Warfare therein is a great (transgression), but to turn (men) from the way of Allah, and to disbelieve in Him and in the Inviolable Place of Worship, and to expel His people thence, is a greater with Allah; for persecution is worse than killing. And they will not cease from fighting against you till they have made you renegades from your religion, if they can. And whoso becometh a renegade and dieth in his disbelief: such are they whose works have fallen both in the world and the Hereafter. Such are rightful owners of the Fire: they will abide therein.}} | ||
Giving assistance to disbelievers against | Giving assistance to disbelievers against believers. | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|3|28}}|Let not the believers take disbelievers for their friends in preference to believers. Whoso doeth that hath no connection with Allah unless (it be) that ye but guard yourselves against them, taking (as it were) security. Allah biddeth you beware (only) of Himself. Unto Allah is the journeying.}} | {{Quote|{{Quran|3|28}}|Let not the believers take disbelievers for their friends in preference to believers. Whoso doeth that hath no connection with Allah unless (it be) that ye but guard yourselves against them, taking (as it were) security. Allah biddeth you beware (only) of Himself. Unto Allah is the journeying.}} | ||
Disbelieving in | Disbelieving in the Quran. | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|98|6}}|Lo! those who disbelieve, among the People of the Scripture and the idolaters, will abide in fire of hell. They are the worst of created beings.}} | {{Quote|{{Quran|98|6}}|Lo! those who disbelieve, among the People of the Scripture and the idolaters, will abide in fire of hell. They are the worst of created beings.}} | ||
====Guidelines on how to deal with disbelievers==== | ====Guidelines on how to deal with disbelievers==== | ||
According to the Quran, he believers must remain united in opposition to the disbelievers, and maintain faith, while refusing to take the disbelievers as friends. If the disbelievers acquiesce but then return "to enmity", they must be slayed, unless they have a treaty with the believers or seek refuge amongst them. Finally, if the disbelievers "incline to peace", so too should the believers. | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|4|88-90}}|88. What aileth you that ye are become two parties regarding the hypocrites, when Allah cast them back (to disbelief) because of what they earned? Seek ye to guide him whom Allah hath sent astray? He whom Allah sendeth astray, for him thou (O Muhammad) canst not find a road.<BR> | {{Quote|{{Quran|4|88-90}}|88. What aileth you that ye are become two parties regarding the hypocrites, when Allah cast them back (to disbelief) because of what they earned? Seek ye to guide him whom Allah hath sent astray? He whom Allah sendeth astray, for him thou (O Muhammad) canst not find a road.<BR> | ||