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Salamun Alaikum (Peace be upon you

UNDERSTANDING 'KUFR' (DISBELIEF) FROM A QURANIC ERS ECTI!E

!opyright " #$$% &oseph A 'slam: Article last modified #$th (arch #$)#

Sadly* the term +,afr+ (disbelief or pronouncing +Takfir+ (-eclaring disbelief on another person has become an all too common affair with regards certain (uslims. This pronouncement unfortunately rolls off the tongue of many and with considerable ease without thought or warrant. 'n the most e.treme cases for some it is a case of pronouncing +,ufr+ on a"#o"e that does not necessarily support or follow the same set of ideologies as themselves.

SO $%AT IS T%E QURAN'S OINT OF !IE$&

The remit of +religious truths+ can be quite wide/ranging and governs anything from the fundamentals such as core belief in O"e Go' with no partners and the -ay of &udgement* to matters concerning doctrinal issues including matters of wider beliefs and practices in the name of religion. Scriptures were delivered and upheld by the great messengers of 0od to their people with a view to provide such +religious truths+ in the form of guidance. 1nce these truths have been firmly manifested to a soul or a people which leaves them with "o (easo" )o 'e"# )hem and yet they s)*ll re2ect them with a view to conceal the truth* it is then in accordance to the consistent theme of the 3uran that one enters the state of +disbelief+ (,ufr / kafara: to disbelieve) .

This understanding of 'kufr' as to veil* to hide or to +o"+eal )he )(,)h is consistent with the renditions found in Arabic le.icons.

Source: 4dward 5anes 5e.icon

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Source: 4dward 5anes 5e.icon

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There can be a number of ways this truth can be manifested within 0od+s knowledge alone6 however the truth 'el*1e(e' 2# a messe"3e( o4 Go' by 7is decree is considered one of the clearer proofs for the purpose of man+s guidance. 5567589:8; 89e send the messengers only to 3*1e 3oo' "e<s a"' )o <a(": so those who believe and mend (their lives */ upon them shall be no fear* nor shall they grieve. :ut those who re2ect our signs*/ them shall punishment touch* for that they ceased not from transgressing; E1e" )he (ophe)'s )hemsel1es (el*e' o" +lea( p(oo47 556=5>? 8Sa#= I am ((el#*"3) o" +lea( p(oo4 4(om m# Lo('* while you deny 7im. ' do not have that which you seek to hasten. The decision is for 0od only. 7e tells the truth and 7e is the :est of -eciders;

E@EM LARA UNIS%MENTS

7istorically* e.emplary punishments have only come to pass on a people or township* when clear warnings had been imparted by a messenger of 0od and yet they s)*ll re2ected them by continuing in their vile transgressions* practicing inequity and in2ustices.

509=5>; 8<or was thy 5ord the one to destroy a pop,la)*o" ,")*l %e ha' se") )o *)s +e")(e a messe"3e(B rehearsing to them 1ur Signs6 nor are 9e going to destroy a population e.cept when its members practise iniquity; At times there have been numerous messengers sent at once to strengthen the argument such as with the township mentioned in Surah =a/Sin (>?:)@ 5C6=5.8 89hen 9e (first sent to them two messengers* they re2ected them: :ut 9e strengthened them with a third: they said* ATruly* we have been sent on a mission to you.A;

GOD IS NOT UNJUST

't has never been the will of 0od to punish anyone or a people un2ustly* especially when people do not know what they are doing is wrong and there is still hope that they may take heed once the truth has been made absolutely clear to them. 5567.C. 8This is because thy 5ord destroys not the townships arbitrarily while their people are unconscious (of the wrong they do ; 5..7..? 8'n truth thy 5ord destroyed not the townships tyrannously while their folk were doing right; Please note that it is not the messenger himself but the overarching +p,(pose+ of the messenger (i.e. to deliver the message in truth which remains key. The denial of clarity that a messenger brings has often led to communities being destroyed by the wrath of 0od because of their 'kufr' (disbelief . 1ne can never know when someone has entered a state of kufr. Their faculties* the clarity of truth that has reached them* their circumstances will all be taken into account and given the immense comple.ities and variables* it can only be for 0od to pronounce 2udgement on the state of a soul and "o) for man. Bor some* belief and disbelief is a continuous cycle and it is only 0od that can make an appropriate 2udgement. 5587.C? 8Those who believe* then re2ect faith* then believe (again and (again re2ect faith* and go on increasing in unbelief / 0od will not forgive them nor guide them nor guide them on the way; There are also those that say they believe and to the world even their outward manifestation (in terms of practice may support what they claim* 2,) )he# a+),all# 2el*e1e "o)7 5507559:.5 8And there are some people who say: 9e believe in 0od and the last day6 and they are not at all believers. The# 'es*(e )o 'e+e*1e Go' a"' )hose <ho 2el*e1e* and they deceive only themselves and they do not perceive; 4ven the Prophet did not know who these people were:

55;=.5. 8And from among those who are round about you of the dwellers of the desert there are hypocrites* and from among the people of (edina (also 6 they are stubborn in hypocrisy6 #o, 'o "o) D"o< )hem6 9e know them6 9e will chastise them twice then shall they be turned back to a grievous chastisement; Those souls who are questioning the truth but are "o) ++lose'+ to receiving a better argument are not necessarily disbelievers. 't is only those that are +violent+ in their disbelief* finding +ease+ in their transgressions whilst closing all doors of openness and receiving correct guidance* that will arguably be taken to task. 5.67.56 89hoso disbelieves in 0od after his belief / save him who is forced there to and whose heart is still content with the Baith / 2,) <hosoe1e( 4*"'s ease *" '*s2el*e4: 1n them is wrath from 0od. Theirs will be an awful doom; 55C75;5 85oC those who disbelieve after their belief* a"' a4)e(<a(' 3(o< 1*ole") *" '*s2el*e4: their repentance will not be accepted. And such are those who are astray;

E!EN IDOLATERS (MUS%RIKEEN) ARE NOT NECESSARILA KAFFIR

4ven 'dolaters are not necessarily +Da4*(+ ,")*l the +truth+ has been completely manifested to them. The 3uran also separates the term D,afirE and D(ushrikeenE ('dolaters . =es indeed* a mushrikeen can become D,affirE upon denial once the truth has reached them* but they are not automatically a +kaffirE by virtue of them being idolaters. 55;=556 8And if anyone of the idolaters seeks thy protection (1 (uhammad * )he" p(o)e+) h*m so )ha) he ma# hea( )he $o(' o4 Go'* and afterward convey him to his place of safety. Tha) *s 2e+a,se )he# a(e a 4olD <ho D"o< "o); This is a very powerful verse and can singularly underscore the central theme of this article. Potentially a 7indu person who believes in multiple 0ods who has "o) received the clarity of arguments (given their faculties and circumstances for them to change their ways Dmay F could beE potentially in a better position in the sight of their 5ord than one who has received the messa3e <*)h 4,ll +la(*)#* has understood it and professes belief 2,) #e) sets up partners along with 0od or abandons belief. This 3uranic perspective is seldom appreciated.

CONTRARA TO O ULAR BELIEF NOT E!ERAONE $AS DESTROAED DURING T%E UNIS%MENTS OF OLD
$)):$?? $)):$GH $)$:$I> $)):$%@ $#?:)I$ <ot everyone from Saleh+s people (Thamud were destroyed <ot everyone from 7ud+s (Aad people were destroyed <ot everyone from <oah+s people were destroyed <ot everyone from Shuaib+s people were destroyed <ot everyone from 5ot+s people were destroyed

't was only the evil folk that were destroyed* the righteous were delivered. 55?=.6> 8So when they neglected what they had been reminded of* $e 'el*1e(e' )hose <ho 4o(2a'e e1*l and 9e overtook those who were un2ust with an evil chastisement because they transgressed; 5.57.5C 8'n the end $e 'el*1e( O,( messe"3e(s a"' )hose <ho 2el*e1e: Thus is it fitting on 1ur part )ha) $e sho,l' 'el*1e( )hose <ho 2el*e1eE;

$%ERE IS FREE $ILL IF GOD SEALS T%E %EARTS OF CERTAIN EO LE&

This is a sound question for which the 3uran itself provides the answer. 't is not for 0od to punish any soul un2ustly. SO $%A DOES GOD SEAL T%E %EARTS& After an analysis of all the relevant verses* it becomes clear that despite clear proofs* there are those that continue to re2ect the truth and continue in the error of their ways. 't is only )he" that 0od seals their hearts (i.e. when truth is completely manifested to them . 55?=.5. 8These towns / 9e relate to you some of their stories* and certainly their messengers came to them with clear arguments* but they would not believe *" <ha) )he# (eFe+)e' a) 4*(s)6 thus does 0od set a seal over the hearts of the unbelievers; 5.575?8 8Then after him 9e sent (many messengers to their peoples: they brought them !lear Signs* but they would not believe what they ha' al(ea'# (eFe+)e' 2e4o(eha"'7 Thus do 9e seal the hearts of the transgressors; 56C755C 8That is because they believed* )he" )he# (eFe+)e' 4a*)h= So a seal <as se) o" )he*( hea()s= therefore they understand not; 5567..5:.. AAnd 9e will turn their hearts and their sights* e1e" as )he# '*' "o) 2el*e1e *" *) )he 4*(s) )*me* and 9e will leave them in their inordinacy* blindly wandering on. A"' e1e" *4 $e ha' se") 'o<" )o )hem )he a"3els a"' )he 'ea' ha' spoDe" )o )hem a"' $e ha' 2(o,3h) )o3e)he( all )h*"3s 2e4o(e )hemB )he# <o,l' "o) 2el*e1e ,"less Go' pleasesB 2,) mos) o4 )hem a(e *3"o(a")A

So therefore* a 'seal' or +covering' is imposed as a consequence of a transgressor+s ,"<*ll*"3"ess )o a+D"o<le'3e the truth and to remain blind to it because of their own volition. This is in perfect resonance with cause and affect which 0od has imposed on his creation.

1nce again: 550=55? A0od has sealed their heart* ears and their hearing and over their eyes is a veil and an awesome suffering awaitsA $h#& The previous verse which conte.tualises this verse e.plains it perfectly. A:ehold as for those that a(e 2e") o" 'e"#*"3 )he )(,)h / 't is all one to them whether you warn them or warn them not* they will not believeA (#:? The 3uran talks about this in many verses / As people that due to their own volition* having hearts with which they fail to grasp the truth* eyes with which they fail to see and ears with which they fail to listen.

A CASE IN OINT : IBLIS (SATAN)

A powerful e.ample is seen in the case of 'blis (Satan . The D(alaikaE (angels enquired as to why 0od was to create a vicegerent (,halifa on the 4arth that would create mischief and cause much bloodshed (#:>$ . 0od e.plained this through a process of making the truth absolutely clear to them. 7e presented evidence of 7is wisdom by using Adam (pbuh as an e.ample and the knowledge that 7e taught him (#:>) and #:>> . The +(alaika+ (angels accepted the argument and proclaimed 0od+s perfection in knowledge and wisdom (#:># After this* the order to prostate was given which the +(alaika+ (angels accepted (#:>@ 't was only a4)e( the truth was first manifested by 0od and after which the +(alaika+ had no reason to deny it* they accepted that only 0od knew best and prostrated upon order. 't is interesting to note that 0od did not instruct the +(alaika+ to prostrate without 4*(s) making the truth absolutely clear to them as to what 7e was about to do and to demonstrate the reason why. This is a very crucial point often overlooked. 7owever* 'blis (Satan refused (#:>@ to submit. 't is here 0od then informs that 'blis (Satan entered a state of +,ufr+ (disbelief . Satan+s disbelief was not simply because he did not take up the order to prostrate (which in itself is unforgiveable given the circumstances * it was accentuated by the fact that he refused out of pride to acknowledge the truth even though the truth had been clearly manifested to him. Borced acceptance is against the purpose of free will and with the teachings of the 3uran. This is especially true with regards creation that has been granted +volition+ or DchoiceE. 7ere* 'blis was no different. 55075C8 8And when 9e said unto the angels: Prostrate yourselves before Adam* they fell prostrate* all save 'blis. 7e demurred through pride* and so became a disbeliever (A(a2*+= Ka4*(ee") ;

'llustration / &oseph 'slam

Therefore* kufr is simply not a case in disbelief in 0od. After all* Satan believed in 0od. 7e even sought leave from 0od to lead man astray (I.)@ and still on the -ay of &udgement maintains that he fears 0od H.@H* G%.)? 559=589 ( a()) ASurely ' am clear of you* surely ' see what you do not see* s,(el# I 4ea( Go'6 and 0od is severe in requiting (evil A 5>;=5.6 A5ike the e.ample of Satan when he says to man: A-isbelieveA* but when he disbelieves* he says: A' am surely clear of you6 surely I 4ea( Go'B )he Lo(' o4 )he <o(l'sAA Jather* kufr is a state reached when one re2ects truth that has been manifested clearly to them. 't is incorrect from a 3uran+s perspective to align any disbelief in 0od as automatic D,ufrE until clear proofs have been manifested to one. 'blis clearly acknowledged his 5ord* he feared his 5ord* yet once he denied the truth after its clear manifestation and re2ected 0od+s order out of pride* he became a kaffir. 'ndeed it makes no sense to understand ,affir as simply anyone that does not believe in 0od until clear proofs have reached them* as this would contradict the above verses H.@H and G%.)? where 'blis clearly maintains belief in 0od yet is described as +,affir+.

FINAL T%OUG%TS
As we have noted from a 3uran+s perspective a 'Kaffir' is simply not anyone who is an idolater* a <on/(uslim or even one that does not believe. There is no such thing as an automatic D,affirE based on their current beliefs. 'Kufr' as evidenced from the 3uran is a +state+ that one +enters+ into once the truth has been clearly manifested to them* made absolutely clear and there is no reason left to deny it (given the recipient+s circumstances* faculties etc. . 7owever* despite the clear evidence and proof* the recipient still re2ects the truth and or conceals it from within themselves. 't is then that the state of Kufr' is entered into. Sadly the 3uranEs message is left abandoned and many rely on Dcommon con2ectureE and Destablished doctrinesE to pass 2udgement* even when it comes to the serious matter of pronouncing D,ufrE on other people.

Rela)e' A()*+les= (.) (0) (C) (8) (>) (6) 'tmam al/7u22ah / !ompletion of Proof Bollowing the +,uffar+ (-isbelievers -eath Penalty for :lasphemy Apostasy Borced Baith is <o Baith Knderstanding Surah Tauba (!hapter % and the 'nfamous +,illing+ Lerses

REFERENCES
-./ LANE7 E7$B E'<a(' La"es LeG*+o"B $*ll*ams a"' No(3a)e .96CH L*2(a*(*e ', L*2a" Be*(,):Le2a"o" .;69B !ol,me ?B a3e 0605 7ighlights marked in red on the le.icon e.cerpt are my own insertions. They have no bearing on the original te.t other than they emphasise relevance to the topic at hand. These are merely illustrations and have solely been utilised for educational and e.planatory purposes. -0/ I2*'7

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