Who is Kaafir?

Who is Kaafir?




There is a contemporary debate among Muslims, particularly in the West, concerning the status of Jews, Christians and non-Muslims in Islam.

Secular or non-practising Muslims – who often refer to themselves as “moderates” – allege that Jews and Christians cannot be considered “Kaafirs” or unbelievers as they believe in God.

Some even go to extremes and claim that it is forbidden to describe them as “Kaafirs” because they are People of the Book (Ahl ul-Kitaab), and they should instead be referred to as “potential Muslims”, as opposed to unbelievers.

To solve this dispute, it is necessary to return to the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah – as understood by the Sahaabah (Companions) and first three generations in Islam.

Meaning of “Kaafir”

The word Kaafir (or Kafir) is derived from the root verb “kafara”, which means to deny, conceal, reject or disbelieve. Therefore, a Kaafir is one who disbelieves, rejects or denies.

Its plural forms are: Kuffaar, Kaafireen or Kaafiroon.

In Sharee’ah, the Kaafir is understood to be: “One who disbelieves in Islam and does not follow the Messenger Muhammad (SAW).” Hence, the word Kaafir in Arabic literally means non-Muslim.

Every person is simply either a Muslim or Kaafir. Allah (SWT) says in the Qur’aan:

“It is He who created you. So some of you are Kaafir and some are Muslim.” (At-Taghaabun, 64:2)

Types of Kaafirs

1. The Original Kaafir (Al-Kaafir al-Asli)

The original Kaafir is one who was raised as a non-Muslim by their parents, such as a Jew, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, atheist, polytheist, infidel, pagan and so forth. Allah (SWT) says:

“Surely, disbelievers are those who said: ‘Allah is the third of the three (in a Trinity)…’” (Al-Maa’idah, 5:73)

This verse explicitly states that those who believe in the Trinity, namely Christians, are disbelievers, or Kaafirs. The root of the word Kaafir is used in this verse: that being kafara. Furthermore, Allah (SWT) also says:

“Verily, those who disbelieve (in the religion of Islam, the Qur’aan and Prophet Muhammad) from among the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) and Mushrikeen will abide in the Fire of Hell. They are the worst of creatures.” (Al-Bayyinah, 98:6)

The above verse thus affirms the simple fact that the People of the Book, namely Jews and Christians, are disbelievers (Kuffaar), as well as the Mushrikeen, who worship Allah as well as other deities.

2. The Apostate from Islam (Al-Murtad ‘an al-Islaam)

The Murtad, or apostate, is one who has left Islam, either by their free will or by negating their Deen (religion) by committing an act of apostasy.

Apostasy, or riddah, can occur in many ways, such as:

• Denying obligations (fard), or denying verses of the Qur’an or authentic Hadeeth (sayings of the Prophet).
• Legalising what Allah has explicitly forbidden, such as alcohol, interest, un-slaughtered meat, and so forth.
• Allying with the non-believers against Muslims, associating oneself or another with Allah, mocking the Deen (religion) or Ahkaam (divine rules), and so on.

Affirming the Qur’aan

The Qur’aan is the Words of Almighty Allah, revealed to the Messenger Muhammad (SAW) through the angel Jibreel (Gabriel). Every Muslim is obliged to believe in and affirm what is stated in the Qur’aan.

Allah describes the Jews and Christians (People of the Book) as well as other Mushrikeen – Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and so forth – as disbelievers (Kaafiroon), and this fact must be affirmed without any doubt by every Muslim.

Even if one looks at the disbelievers as potential Muslims, their kufr (disbelief) must be affirmed first.

Denying what is stated in the Qur’aan, particularly the fact that the People of the Book and Mushrikeen are Kuffaar, is a major form of kufr (apostasy) as it constitutes denouncing the Words of Allah.

Believing in God

Believing in the concept of God or indeed Allah does not necessarily make one a believer or Muslim. Allah (SWT) states in the Qur’aan that even though the Mushrikeen acknowledge there is a God and that He created the heavens and the earth, they are still disbelievers. Allah (SWT) says:

“If you were to ask them: ‘Who has created the heavens and the earth and subjected the sun and the moon?’ They will surely reply: ‘Allah.’ How then are they deviating (as polytheists and disbelievers)?” (Al-‘Ankaboot, 29:61)

“And if you ask them who created them, they will surely say: ‘Allah.’ How then are they turned away (from the worship of Allah, Who created them)? (Allah has knowledge) of (Prophet Muhammad’s) saying: ‘O my Lord! Verily, these people are not believers!’” (Az-Zukhruf, 43:87–88)

Even if a person believes in God, they are still considered Kaafir until they reject all false deities, submit to Almighty Allah exclusively, believe in the Messenger Muhammad and follow his Sunnah and the Sharee’ah of Islam.

A different, unique God

Some “moderate” Muslims argue that Muslims, Jews and Christians all worship the same God. However, this claim is incorrect.

The God we worship has no partners or children. He was not born, and He certainly cannot be compared to any of His creations, particularly man. On the other hand, the god that Christians worship has a son, or he took the form of a human being who died on the cross. The Jews also claim god had a son, namely ‘Uzair (Ezra), and they contend that Muhammad is not Allah’s Messenger. Allah (SWT) says:

“And the Jews say: ‘Uzair (Ezra) is the son of Allah, and the Christians say: Messiah is the son of Allah. That is a saying from their mouths. They imitate the saying of the disbelievers of old. Allah’s Curse be on them, how they are deluded away from the truth!” (At-Tawbah, 9:30)

Relationship with Kuffaar

The Nabi (Prophet) Ibraaheem is an excellent example of how our relationship should be with the disbelievers. Allah (SWT) says:

“Indeed there has been an excellent example for you in Ibraaheem (Abraham) and those with him, when they said to their people: ‘Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allah. We have rejected you, and there has started between us and you, animosity and hatred forever, until you believe in Allah Alone.’” (Al-Mumtahanah, 60:4)

Prophet Ibraaheem did not isolate himself from society, and neither did he integrate. On the contrary, Ibraaheem (AS) interacted with society by inviting people to Tawheed while he harboured hatred and animosity for the disbelievers. This must also be the attitude of the Muslim towards the disbelievers. However, our hatred for those who disbelieve in Allah is not personal – due to their colour, nationality or physical appearance. Instead, a Muslim must love and hate for the sake of Allah – love those whom Allah loves and hate those whom Allah hates. Allah (SWT) says:

“You will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), even though they were their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their kindred (people). For such He has written Faith in their hearts…” (Al-Mujaadilah, 58:22)

“…Verily, the Kaafireen (disbelievers) are ever unto you open enemies.” (An-Nisaa’, 4:101)

However, our hatred of those who disbelieve does not necessarily lead us to violence or injustice. When we live in their lands under a covenant of security we may trade with them, honour their rights as neighbours, behave in a polite and pleasant manner in society, and most importantly invite them to embrace Islam as a way of life and a real alternative to man-made laws and democracy. This is all done while maintaining hatred and baraa’ah (disassociation) from them, their false ideologies, man-made laws and taaghout lawmakers, for the sake of pleasing Allah and fulfilling His commands.

Status of the Kaafir

The word Kaafir is not a derogatory term by itself, though it carries negative connotations.

A Kaafir is seen as one who conceals the truth, lies, and is dishonest and ungrateful to Allah, Exalted be He. Allah has promised humiliation, disgrace and severe punishment for those who disbelieve in Him and do not follow His Sharee’ah.

Hence, a Kaafir is in no way equal to a Muslim. Allah says that the believers are the best nation, and the Sahaabi (Companion) Ibn ‘Abbaas (RA) said:

“Islam is always superior and can never be surpassed.” (Saheeh al-Bukhaari, Kitaab ul-Janaa’iz, Chapter 79)

Under Islam, the Kuffaar are treated differently. They are made to wear distinct clothing, pay jizyah (a special tax) to the State and cannot be in a position of authority over the Muslims. They are not permitted to carry weapons, live among Muslims or propagate their false and corrupt ideology. Allah (SWT) says:

“Fight against those who (1) believe not in Allah, (2) nor in the Last Day, (3) nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger (4) and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (i.e. Islam) among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), until they pay the Jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.” (At-Tawbah, 9:29)

Throughout Islamic history the disbelievers living under the Islamic state were able to witness the sheer beauty of Islam, its people, civilisation and Sharee’ah. Consequently, the disbelievers embraced Islam “in crowds”, upon realising their disbelief in Allah was the cause of their humiliation, subjugation and inferiority to Muslims.

However, nowhere today, despite numbering in millions, do the Muslims have authority over an acre of land. The tides have changed, and now the disbelievers are in authority over Muslims, even in our own lands.

Moderate Muslims today falsely claim that the Jews, Christians, disbelievers and Muslims are all equal, thus they have left no reason for the Kuffaar to embrace Islam. But Allah (SWT) says:

“…The honour, power and glory belong to Allah, His Messenger (Muhammad), and to the believers, but the hypocrites know not.” (Al-Munaafiqoon, 63: