Kafir (Infidel): Difference between revisions

The [[Quran]] instructs believers, to kidnap and [[Slavery_in_Islamic_Law|enslave non-believers]], later interpreted as the kufar from [[Dar al-Harb and Dar al-Islam (the Abodes of War and Peace)|Dar al Harb]].<ref>{{Citation|url=https://archive.org/details/islamabolitionof0000clar|title=Islam and the Abolition of Slavery|page=27–28|publisher=Oxford University Press|ISBN=978-0-19-522151-0|author=William Gervase Clarence-Smith|year=2006}}</ref>

Theologically implicating one to hell, the word "kafir" is highly charged and accusatory, no matter its use, but finds slight nuance in meaning depending on who it is used to describe as well as who is using it as a descriptor.

The word is also contrasted with the "''jahiliyyah''" or "ignorance" that is said to have existed prior to the advent of Islam. In this respect, contrasted with the period of ignorance, those around subsequent to the revelation of Islam cannot be considered to live in an age where Islam is unknown, hence making a justification of unbelief impossible.

It should be noted, however, that even while the pre-Islamic Arabs were admittedly "jahil" or "ignorant", they are still considered kuffar - even Muhammad's father, [[Abdullah]], and mother, Aminah, were described by Muhammad (as recorded in Sahih Muslim) as "burning in Hell". Ignorance, thus, it would appear does not absolve one of their ''kufr'' (that is, the act of disbelieving or being a kafir).  

Many Sunni theologians found the narration on the fate of Abdullah and Aminah troubling and ultimately decided to ignore the narration, overriding it on theological and moral principle. Indeed this was so troubling to the early Muslims that hadith were fabricated arguing that Abdullah and Aminah had been resurrected subsequent to Muhammad's declaration that they were burning in hell, in order to convert to Islam, die once more, and enter paradise. This hadith was later acknowledged, however, to be a fabrication. While theologians continue to have a hard time consigning the ignorant to hell under the label of "kuffar", Islamic scriptures are more clear.  

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 kufar.