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The Meaning of Kaffir and Kufr
As much as it is important to understand the meaning of 'Islam and Muslim' likewise it is important to understand the opposite i.e Kufr and Kaffir. There is a lot of confusion about these words and their meanings, so therefore the knowledge of their meanings in Arabic becomes even more essential.
Every
generation of Muslims faces some sort of trials to test our faith
and weed out those who are sincere to Allah and those who are not.
In our time, there is a lot of confusion about who is a Muslim
(a believer in the Oneness of Allah) and who is a kaffir.
This confusion has reached the extent that some people do not
like to call anyone a kaffir including those whom Allah
has clearly indicated in the Qur'aan. On the other hand,
there are some who arbitrarily call people Kaffir without
knowing the essential meaning of the word.
At the same time, the securalists have taken over the education
of the Muslims in Muslim lands and are currently in the
process of squeezing out any remaining elements of Islam; its
meaning and its responsibilities, from the curricula that our
children face. It is therefore, time that we understand the true
meaning of the word.
We also find Muslims being labeled as terrorists, extremists or
fundamentalists while others attempt to water down the boundaries
of Islam into something that resembles pseudo-christianity, where
everyone is forgiven and everyone goes to heaven, regardless of
their disobedience and ingratitude to Allah and their perception
of who Allah is. Islam, however stands between these two extremes.
First of all, Allah, the Almighty uses the terms Kufr and Kaffir
in the Qur'aan, so we cannot say that these words do not
exist or that they have no meaning. The Qur'aan is
referred to by Allah as Al Furqan, meaning the Criterion,
and it is upon this criterion that we must base our understanding
of all things.
Allah has stated plainly in the Qur'aan that the
righteous; the Muslims who believe sincerely and act according to
the laws of Allah, will inherit Paradise. In Sura An Nur, Allah
says, "Allah has promised those
among you who believes, and do righteous good deeds, that He will
certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the
earth, as He granted it to those before them, and that He will
grant them the authority to practice their religion, that which
He has chosen for them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them
in exchange a safe security after their fear (provided) they (believers)
worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me.
But whoever disbelieved after this, they are the Fasiqun (rebellious,
disobedient to Allah.)
(Sura 24:55) Can this honor possibly be for
anyone who is in a state of kufr?
In Sura Al A'raf Allah says, "And the dwellers of
the Fire will call to the dwellers of Paradise: "Pour on us
some water or anything that Allah has provided you with."
They will say: "Both (water and provision) Allah has
forbidden to the disbelievers." (Sura 7:50)
From this we see clearly that disbelief is a state; a state
wherein resides the consequences of one's actions. The
disbeliever will not be allowed the comfort and provision of
Allah, that he used to enjoy in this life. Who are these
disbelievers and what are some of their characteristics?
Allah says in the Qu'raan, "Who took their religion as
an amusement and play, and the life of the world deceived them."
So this Day We shall forget them as they forgot their meeting of
this Day, and as they used to reject Our signs." (Sura 7:51)
The phrase 'who took their religion as an amusement and play' is
important. We want to look at the words 'amusement and play' and
discover their meanings in Arabic. The Arabic words are 'lahu
wal la'b.' The meaning includes anything that does not
include remembrance of Allah; anything which distracts us from
thinking about Allah and mentioning His name; where the
remembrance of Allah is the last thing in one's mind. It means to
busy yourself in something in place of something else. This is
the state of taking Islam as an amusement and play. How many ways
can we become distracted from Islam and the remembrance of Allah?
This is a state of existence; a state of putting oneself far from
Allah. Such people, are those who allow themselves to be
diverted, for whatever reason, from the remembrance of Allah and
taking the religion of Islam seriously as it should be taken.
Allah
says, "And when you (Muhammad pbuh)
see those who engage in a false conversation about Our Verses (of
the Qur'aan) by mocking at them, stay away from them till they
turn to another topic. And if satan causes you to forget, then
after the remembrance sit not you in the company of those people
who are Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers.) (Sura 6:68)
Such people will be of those who Allah admits to the fire. May
Allah, the Almighty protect us from this!
The root word of Kufr is 'kafara' which means to
cover something or not to disclose something. So it refers to
people who know the truth but cover it and fail to disclose it;
the one who covers the truth after it has been made manifest to
him; who covers the favors of Allah and opposes it.
Allah says in Sura Al An'am, "They (the Jews,
Quraish pagans, idolaters etc) did not estimate Allah with an
estimation due to Him when they said: "Nothing did Allah
send down to any human being (by inspiration)." Say (O
Muhammad pbuh): "Who then sent down the Book which Moses
brought, a light and a guidance to mankind which you (the Jews)
have made into (separate) paper sheets, disclosing (some of it)
and concealing (much). And you (believers in Allah and His
Messenger pbuh) were taught (through the Qur'aan) that which
neither you nor your fathers knew." Say: "Allah (sent
it down)." Then leave them to play in their vain discussions."
(Sura 6:91)
This is essentially different from those people who are ignorant
(Jahil) i.e. they do not know about Islam or have not been
exposed to Islam. Allah guides whom He wills and He is Just and
Merciful.
It is important to note that the word 'la'b' implies going
off to other than the straight path; to busy oneself with
something other than what one was told to busy oneself with i.e.
to obey Allah.
As we stand amidst the trials and tribulations of today's world,
it is essential to remember that Allah is the Sole Maintainer and
Protector of all things. He is Mighty and Honors and Dishonors
whom He chooses. Those who take His religion as a plaything, a
sport, as being of secondary importance in life - and do this
while knowing Islam and our duties to Allah, are guilty of kufr
and hence have removed themselves from His Almighty Care. Allah
says, "They are those who deny the
Ayat (signs, proofs, evidences, revelations etc) of their Lord
and the meeting with Him (in the Hereafter). So their works are
in vain, and on the Day of Resurrection, We shall not give them
any weight." (Sura 18:105)
The final success is for those who are humble and sincere before Allah and who establish piety on earth as Allah prescribed. May Allah make us of those with whom He is pleased.
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