WHO IS GOD?
-
Peace Agent
fine with me, only one note bro
Reagrding Waliyy, yes we should try to acquire this attribute but only between the belisvers, in fact we were warned many times in the Quran to take a kafir or any other religion follower as Waliyy over a believer, I'm sure you know the verses
cheers
-
peace Ahmed,
How exactly does one know that a person's a Kafir?
Peace mate
The Quran has given us many examples bro, all sorts of things even the ones who call the angels as females
Simply bro anyone who doubt what Allah said in the Quran MUST BE A KAFIR, so if Allah says in the Quran that He will reserve it and some come and say it is not well reserved then those are Kafarah because they don't believe Allah when He said so.
Also every Mushrik is Kafir but not every Kafir is Mushrik, for example because the Christians are Mushrikoon then they are also kafiroon
Peace
-
Mate,
Here is an example of the Kafiroon and you can see that Allah says that those are the clear cut Kafiroon in 151
150 Surely those who disbelieve in Allah and His messengers and (those who) desire to make a distinction between Allah and His messengers and say We believe in some and disbelieve in others, and desire to take a course between (this and) that.
151 These it is that are truly unbelievers, and We have prepared for the unbelievers a disgraceful chastisement.
(150)
(151)Peace
-
peace all,
Kafir (Arabic, kafara, conceal, be ungrateful)
Kafir (Arabic kfir; plural kuffr) is an Arabic word meaning a person who hides, denies, or covers the truth. In cultural terms, it is a derogatory term used to describe a non-Muslim, a Muslim of a differing sect, or an apostate from Islam. It is usually translated into English as "infidel" or "unbeliever" and can carry the equivalent weight as a racial epithet.The word kaafir is one of the most misunderstood terms in the Arabic language. In fact, it need not have the stigma that is often associated with it. It can be used simply in the sense of ?non-submissive? to God.
The word kaafir comes from the root verb, kafara, which means ?COVER?. It was originally used before Islam, in the Arabic language, to describe farmers, when they bury a seed in the ground and cover it with soil in their planting process. Therefore, we may say that the word kaafir implies from its root meaning ?A PERSON WHO HIDES OR COVERS THE TRUTH?. This is in opposition to a Muslim, who openly testifies to the truth and submits willfully and peacefully to it. In Islamic parlance, it is used to mean someone who DELIBERATELY REJECTS THE TRUE FAITH.
We should avoid calling anybody a kaafir, because ONLY ALLAH KNOWS WHO IS TRULY A REJECTER OF TRUTH AND WHO IS MERELY A MISGUIDED PERSON. It is not up to us to "sentence" a person to the wrath of God! WE MUST ALWAYS MAINTAIN A SPIRIT OF TOLERANCE AND GOODWILL, along with our zeal to convey THE MESSAGE OF TRUTH to others, whatever be the odds!!
http//www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1123996015760&pagename=IslamOnline-English-AAbout_Islam/AskAboutIslamE/AskAboutIslamE
Title
Are Christians Mushrik (Polytheists) or Kaafir (Rejecters)?Question
Should Christians be considered as Mushrik because they worship the person of Jesus Christ, and there is no forgiveness for that as Allah has told us . Or Kaafir because Allah tells us that everyone who attributes a son to God is a Kaafir.Answer
Before I answer your specific question, it would be appropriate to first take a close look at the two terms "Mushrik" and "Kaafir", as only after that can we say whether the Christians, Jews or adherents of any other religion fall in these categories or not.
Let us first take the term "Kaafir". "Kaafir" in the Arabic language means "rejecter". The term "Kaafir", normally taken to be synonymous with "non-Muslim" or "non-believer", is quite different from the two terms. A "non-Muslim", obviously, is a person who does not adhere to the Muslim faith. Thus, all those who do not ascribe to the Muslim faith are "non-Muslims". A "non-believer" is generally used for a person who does not believe in God and the Day of Judgment. "Kaafir", on the other hand, IS A PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY REJECTS THE TRUTH. A person may not believe in some 'truth' for a number of reasons. FOR INSTANCE, HE MAY NOT BE FULLY CONVINCED OF SOME ASPECT OF THAT 'TRUTH' or HE MAY HAVE SOME DOUBTS IN HIS MIND REGARDING THAT TRUTH. However, if all doubts are removed from his mind and he becomes fully convinced of that truth, yet he persists in not accepting it or persists in ascribing to a wrong belief after becoming certain of its incorrectness, he then becomes a "Kaafir" and is no longer just a "non-Muslim" or a "non-believer".
In other words, all those people who persist in not accepting Islam after being fully convinced that Islam is the truth of the Almighty or persist in ascribing to a false belief after being convinced of its incorrectness are "Kaafirs" or rejecters of the truth. All others for our purposes are "non-Muslims" or "non-believers ".
This explanation, if considered closely, should clarify the fact that WE CANNOT CALL ANYONE A "KAAFIR" UNLESS WE HAVE ABSOLUTE KNOWLEDGE OF THE REASONS FOR HIS REJECTION OF FAITH (or Islam), WHICH WE DO NOT POSSESS. Thus, for the purpose of this world, we should not call anyone a "Kaafir". It is only God, Who with His absolute knowledge can declare someone a "Kaafir". No one besides God possesses the knowledge that is essential to declare someone a "Kaafir".
Thus, we know on the basis of God's declaration in the Qur'an that the Jews and the Christians (and those ascribing to other faiths) during the time of the Prophet (pbuh) refused to believe in the Prophet (pbuh) even after being fully convinced of his prophethood and were, therefore, termed "Kaafir" by the Almighty. As far as the Jews and the Christians of later times are concerned, we do not have adequate knowledge of the reasons for their rejection to term them "Kaafir". God, on the Day of Judgment, shall give the decision regarding these Jews and Christians. Those, among them, who refused to accept Islam and the prophethood of Mohammed (pbuh), although they were fully convinced of it being the truth, shall stand in the category of "Kaafirs" on the Day of Judgment.
The term "Mushrik", like the term "Kaafir" has also been slightly misused. It is not just ascribing to a polytheistic belief that makes a person a "Mushrik". According to the Qur'an , "Mushrik" is one who ascribes partners to God. Christians, though ascribe to a polytheistic belief, according to the Muslim understanding of polytheism, yet they do not ascribe partners to God. They believe that there is only one God and He does not have any partners. Yet they ascribe to a belief, which in the eyes of the Muslims and according to the Qur'an is a polytheistic belief. Christians, according to the Qur'an , would have been called "Mushrik" had they believed that ascribing a son to God is a polytheistic belief and would still have ascribed to that belief.
The above should also explain why the Qur'an , even though it has pointed out that the Jews and the Christians of the times of the Prophet (pbuh) ascribe to some polytheistic beliefs has not addressed them as "Mushrik". The Qur'an has only addressed the Banu-Ishmael and other Arab polytheists who clearly ascribed to polytheism by the term "Mushrik" (as should be clear from Al-Baqarah 2 105, Aal Imraan 3 67, Surah Al-Taubah 9 1 - 33, Al-Bayyinah 98 1).
In the light of the above explanation, in my opinion, the Christians should not be called "Mushrik" or "Kaafir". We may say that Christians ascribe to polytheistic beliefs but should not call them polytheists, as the Qur'an has not called them polytheists. Likewise, we can call them "non-Muslims", but should not call them "Kaafir", as we do not know who among them has knowingly rejected Islam and who has not accepted Islam because he was not convinced of it being the final truth from God.
www.understanding-islam.com
http//www.understanding-islam.com/related/text.asp?type=question&qid=140Title
Kufr and rejection ?Question/Comments
Just wanted to add that this discussion proves that it is not possible for anyone to characterize others as Kafirs.
ismar duderija
AustraliaAnswer
You are correct in interpreting that if my referred opinion is correct, then it implies that it is not possible for anyone to call any other person a 'Kaafir' (rejecter), except where God or His Prophet (pbuh) has specifically singled out that particular person or group of persons as 'Kaafir'. Declaring someone to be a 'Kaafir' is beyond the jurisdiction of human beings, as it is not based only upon the apparent actions of an individual but also takes into consideration, besides many other factors, the actual knowledge, the information and the level of conviction of that individual.
http//www.understanding-islam.com/related/text.asp?type=discussion&did=205#_ftn1Title
What is the Difference between Ahl-e-Kitaab (People of the Book) & Kaafir (Rejecters)QUESTION
I would like to know what is the difference between People of the Book (Ahle Kitab) and Kaafir? How does one define a Kaafir and how do these people, mainly Christians and Jews differ from other Kaafirs?
If there is no basic conceptual difference, what is the rationale for allowing Muslim men to marry Ahle Kitab women without them necessarily converting into Muslims?ANSWER
For a brief explanation regarding what exactly is a Kaafir (rejecter of truth), according to the Qur'an, and the application of the term on the present day non-Muslims, please refer to one of my previous answers to a similar question titled, 'Are Christians Mushrik (polytheists) or Kaafirs (rejecters)?'
As far as the reasons for the allowance of marrying the chaste women of the People of the Book is concerned, there could indeed be a number of reasons for such allowance but the Qur'an has not mentioned any of these. It, however, seems that Islam does not want to completely break social ties with any religious group, apart from the polytheists. This seems to be quite apparent in two cases. Firstly, the Qur'an has allowed marriage with chaste women from amongst the People of the Book, but has disallowed such social ties with the polytheists. Secondly, the Qur'an has expressly allowed us to eat the food of the People of the Book, but such is not the case with that of the polytheists.
Such allowances in the case of the People of the Book are also an evidence of the severity in which God holds the crime of ascribing partners to Him. It seems that it is only the crime of ascribing partners to God, in retaliation of which God directs His people to break or extremely limit any social ties with such transgressors. Islam does not want to sever social ties with monotheistic nations, who do not ascribe partners to God. This allowance provides a chance to build a healthy social interaction between all monotheistic peoples and subsequently opens the doors for the propagation and understanding of Islam for all such peoples. It should be remembered that a healthy social interaction is a prerequisite for effective communication, propagation and understanding of each other's points of views. By keeping the doors of social ties open with other monotheistic peoples, God has, in effect, kept the doors of understanding Islam and thereby finding the path of assured success open for them.
http//www.understanding-islam.com/related/text.asp?type=question&qid=139peace.
-
Peace Agent
Thanks for the post, what can you say to this verse in the Quran bro where Allah is telling His messenger Mohammad "Qul Ya Ayoha Al Kafiroon", i.e "Say Listen Infidels"
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)Here is th translation for verse 1091
YUSUFALI Say O ye that reject Faith!
PICKTHAL Say O disbelievers!
SHAKIR Say O unbelievers!Therefore we aqre allowed to say it to those who reject faith, the sura didnlt say call them as such after they say why they reject the faith
Salam
-
peace Ahmed,
Thanks for the post, what can you say to this verse in the Quran bro where Allah is telling His messenger Mohammad "Qul Ya Ayoha Al Kafiroon", i.e "Say Listen Infidels"
bro, i think you missed this part of the post
You are correct in interpreting that if my referred opinion is correct, then it implies that it is not possible for anyone to call any other person a 'Kaafir' (rejecter), except where God or His Prophet (pbuh) has specifically singled out that particular person or group of persons as 'Kaafir'. Declaring someone to be a 'Kaafir' is beyond the jurisdiction of human beings, as it is not based only upon the apparent actions of an individual but also takes into consideration, besides many other factors, the actual knowledge, the information and the level of conviction of that individual.peace.
-
salam brother agentxxx (btw excellent posts!)
But once again I shall pessimistic. >
Abdul Sitar Edhi and Mother Teresa are amongst the People who have acquired some of the God?s abovementioned qualities and have displayed them in their actions/deeds.
According to a psychology magazine I read mother Teresa LOVED the publicity and praise she got from helping people, if she did not had have the publicty and the complements she would not have done as much for the people.
As for the 'Edhi Trust', I am impressed towards how much they have done. With Pakistan being the second most corrupt country in the world and the stuff that I have heard about other organisations in Pakistan i'm always suspicious about them.
Edhi foundation is the most trusted name in Pakistan when it comes to relief work within distressed areas in Pakistan and the rest of the world. Edhi foundation is a NON Profit organization that has been in the business of providing social services like medical care, emergency services, air ambulances, burial services, mental habitats, old homes, child welfare services, abused women safe houses and training facilities for the disadvantaged.
In my opinion it's best not to mention names of "righteous people"/"saints" because people end up idolising them. And only God knows the real reason why they choose to be so "virtuas" and only God knows if they are hypocrites. Sufi saints are idolised by many sunni muslims but those that idolise them don't seem to follow their example ). When it comes to the qualities we must acquire it's infinitely better to read and reflect on our creators attributes mentioned in al-quran instead of reading sufi stories and mentioning famous people like Mother Teresa.
Ahmed it's not a good idea to label any one a 'kafir'. Al-quran talks about people that claim to be believers when they are not. None of us can read peoples minds or see if they have a pure heart. So it's best to treat everyone amicably no matter who they are. The one that used to be your enemy could end up becoming your friend so don't be too harsh on them. People change dramatically over the years, i used believe I knew my family/friends really well, but there's always a side of them that shocks you when they reveal their true qualities, no matter how well you think you know them there?s no way you will know their true qualities unless god chooses to expose them. God knows us better then we know our self and only HE has the right to judge.
214
Khalifa
When they meet the believers, they say, "We believe," but when alone with their devils, they say, "We are with you; we were only mocking."Yusuf Ali
When they meet those who believe, they say "We believe;" but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say "We are really with you We (were) only jesting."Pickthal
And when they fall in with those who believe, they say We believe; but when they go apart to their devils they declare Lo! we are with you; verily we did but mock.Shakir
And when they meet those who believe, they say We believe; and when they are alone with their Shaitans, they say Surely we are with you, we were only mocking.Sher Ali
And when they meet those who believe, they say,We believe;' but when they are alone with their ring-leaders they say,We were only mocking.'"Progressive Muslims"
And if they come across those who have believed, they say "We believe," and when they are alone with their devils they say "We are with you, we were only mocking."As far as i'm aware god only prohibited us from talking with people that mock our religion.
peace,
sugar -
salam
great post sugar
"In my opinion it's best not to mention names of "righteous people"/"saints" because people end up idolising them."
Love that part
Great attitude
-
Peace sugar,
sugar-salam brother agentxxx (btw excellent posts!)
salam and thanks sis )
sugar-But once again I shall pessimistic. >
That is your right sis
Sugar-As for the 'Edhi Trust', I am impressed towards how much they have done. With Pakistan being the second most corrupt country in the world and the stuff that I have heard about other organizations in Pakistan i'm always suspicious about them.
No Sis, Bangladesh is the second most corrupt county but we are in the top twenty (which is a shame as ?Islamic republic of Pakistan? has 97% Muslim population who claim to receive their guidance from the quran and sunna ???. This ranking indicates a clear difference between our preaching and practicing. In fact it indicates the level of hypocrisy in Pakistan.
sugar- In my opinion it's best not to mention names of "righteous people"/"saints" because people end up idolizing them. And only God knows the real reason why they choose to be so "virtuas" and only God knows if they are hypocrites.
I totally agree with you that WE SHOULDN?T IDOLIZE THESE PEOPLE, but sometimes you have to mention them or the bad people to make things clear, depending upon the nature of discussion and yes definitely God knows best.
Sugar-Sufi saints are idolised by many sunni muslims but those that idolise them don't seem to follow their example.
Most of them do follow their example but in copying the way they used to dress only ;D, but rarely in copying their conduct or deeds (.
sugar- When it comes to the qualities we must acquire it's infinitely better to read and reflect on our creators attributes mentioned in al-quran instead of reading Sufi stories and mentioning famous people like Mother Teresa.
That?s the right way sis ;D
God bless you,
peace.