What is a kafir?
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peace enquirer,
I don't think, as a young child, he/she would be held responsible. But once they become older, is there a good reason why their view shouldn't change? wouldn't that child have experiences later in his/her life that would change that view of God? but again, he/she might have a different way of believing in God. One we can't necessarily see.
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Peace enquirer,
But how can we hold a young child accountable for saying what was his 'truth' and opinion,given the circumstances...
My question was, "where did this person get the idea that God would come and rescue him or her from their pain and suffering?" So, in essence, there is no blame on the child, but on those who gave him/her this idea. But even in this, "blame" may not be the right word, for it is not people that get to judge. And in that case, we are told, time and again (as well, logic dictates), that God can only be perfectly just. Therefore, a child saying "I disown God" before being able to think clearly for him/her self, can hardly be held accountable for these words.
peace,
Tay -
Peace phoenix. I think our ideas of god are constantly evolving,or at least modifying from a few basic premises. (because of our different experiences.)...Its like idol-free says; 'are we looking for that old man in the sky to rescue us'? That child may have been dismissing a 'concept' of god,but not necessarily the real 'truth'...(or the real,verifiable god.)
And finally once again,its the behaviour,intentions,mind-set and willingness to learn/correct oneself,which is much more important than recognising,or paying lip-service to 'abstract' concepts,and subjective opinions about god... -
Peace Tay. Some children/people get this idea from traditional concepts and prayers like; 'God will save us',or 'god helps the believers' etc... I agree with the rest of your post...
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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.
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Compromising the truth for the sake of making friends in the world is a sad state to be in...
Perfectly said bro, thank you
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Peace enquirer,
You stated
I think verses 2224-225 should make people think twice about this 'ritual' of branding people as kafirs
Excellent point.
2224-225
And do not make God the subject of your casual oaths. Be pious and righteous and reconcile among the people; and God is Listener, Knower. God will not call you to account for your casual oaths, but He will call you to account for what has entered your hearts. God is Forgiving, Compassionate.Is it fair to say, then, that someone who has not come to understand, in his or her heart, that the guidance is authentic, would not share the same fate as someone who does understand, yet still rejects it?
Peace,
TayHello Tay
what is the relevence of that verse to the kafir issue?
the verse above is talking about taking an oath while not being serious, like you swear to do someting and was just a case of big mouth
is that how you understood it?
cheers
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Peace Ahmed,
what is the relevence of that verse to the kafir issue?
I believe it illustrates the importance of the intentions behind the actions, according to God's way.
the verse above is talking about taking an oath while not being serious, like you swear to do someting and was just a case of big mouth
is that how you understood it?
Yes.
Peace,
Tay -
Peace Ahmed,
what is the relevence of that verse to the kafir issue?
I believe it illustrates the importance of the intentions behind the actions, according to God's way.
the verse above is talking about taking an oath while not being serious, like you swear to do someting and was just a case of big mouth
is that how you understood it?
Yes.
Peace,
TayThank you Tay
cheers
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You're welcome Ahmed, and may your journey to Egypt be fruiful.
Peace,
TayCheers mate, I will actually miss you all and miss this great web site, I will try to snatch sometime to login from there if I can as i have a very condensed itenerary including seeing my sick father every day in those 7 days I'm staying there
talk to you all soon
Peace be with you
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Hi there!
There is much to learn from this thread. Special thanks to its creator Tay and participants, and JM who referred me to it.
Below are my notes on "what is a kafir". Updates can be found at http//www.reflekterselv.com/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,48/topic,903.0
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE REJECTER
26 - Ignorant, Stubborn, Oblivious,
27 - Their minds and ears are sealed, and their eyes are veiled
210 - In their minds is a disease
212 - they are the evildoers, but they do not perceive
2105, 2272 - Haters, Jealous, antagonist
2171, 5103, 625, 633 - Deaf, Dumb, Blind, unable to understand, brainwashed, act like parrots, believe blindly
2212, 16107 - Materialistic, "they ridicule those who believe".
3149, 836, - They will mislead believers,
476 - They fight in the cause of evil
573, 517, 572 - They take humans as gods
5103 - They invents lies against god, and laws god never approved
830 - the scheme against the believers to kill them
855 - They cannot believe
940 - Dishonest in their faith
1418 - Their works are like ashes
1412, 601 - They persecute.
1973 - They reject for wealth and children
2136 - They mock believers
2439 - Their works are like a mirage in the desert
343 - They deny The Hour
3443 - They choose their parents over God
3647 - They reject charity
3827 - They believe the creation is meaningless
382 - They are arrogant and defiant
4012 - God alone is unsufficient for them, they demand partners
4127 - They do evil.
4825 - They prevent donations from reaching their destination.
5916 - They use you for their own purpose, and then disown you.
8519 - They are in denial
291, 3112 - While claiming to follow gods revelations to them, they kill prophets!
370 - They reject what they themselves are witnesses of.
460 - They are hypocrites and spies.
4150 - They wish to make a distinction between god and his messengers
417 - "The ones who do not contribute towards betterment,"
417 - Denial of the hereafter.
602 - They treat you as enemies and try to hurt you
4161 - They take financial interest, and consume people money unjustly.
1623 - They recognize God's blessings, then they deny them.
4025 - The rejecters ordered the killing of children and raping of women
4114 - The basis of their rejection was nothing but a logical fallacy "Ad Hominem".
1727 - Those who waste excessively are brothers to the devils
543 - They follow their desires and old traditions.
214 - They cheat and deceive
218 - Deaf, dumb, and blind, they will not revert.
2254 - They are unjust/wicked
601, 261, 1413 - they don't believe in religious freedom
18104 - They believe their doing good
3453 - They uphold guesswork
2912 - They say "If you follow our way, we will be responsible for your sins."
4137 - They're unable to decide, one moment they believe, the other they don't.
211 - unable to take responsibility for their deeds.CHARACTERISTICS OF REJECTION
3044 - Rejection used as an opposite to "do good works".
397, 3112, 2152 - Rejection used as an opposite to "being appreciative"
667 - Rejecters will be requited only for what they DID
285 - "killing eachother", "persecution", "acts of evil and animosity", "ransoming prisoners while it was forbidden", is regarded as rejecting a part of the scripture.
299 - Disbelief in the qurans "clear verses".
321, 4155 - Killing prophets, killing those who order justice, are a part of rejection
3874 - Rejection is beyond atheism, as satan was a rejecter.
4710 - The result of rejection can be seen even after centuriesTHE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE HYPOCRITE
634 - They speak eloquently, and impress by their physical apperances.
635 - They turn away when you wish them good
611 - They're liars, and spies.
638 - The uphold a "caste"THEIR (rejecters) DESTINY
239, 2126, 2161, 2257, 34, 310, 312, 356 - "Dwellers of hell, forever"IS A REJECTER/HYPOCRITE A PSYCHOPATH?
Here is a list of what defines a psychopath. Under each trait, you can see the references to the verse which attributes thatsame trait to the kafir.
Glibness/superficial charm
- 2912 - They say "If you follow our way, we will be responsible for your sins."
- 634 - They speak eloquently, and impress by their physical apperances.
Grandiose sense of self-worth
- 638 - The uphold a "caste"-like system, where they're "the noble" and others are "lowly".
- 261, 1413 - they don't believe in religious freedom
- 382 - They are arrogant and defiant
- 3647 - They reject charity
Need for stimulation/proneness to boredom
- 543 - They follow their desires and old traditions.
Pathological lying
- 611 - They're liars, and spies.
- 2912 - They say "If you follow our way, we will be responsible for your sins."
- 1623 - They recognize God's blessings, then they deny them.
- 370 - They reject what they themselves are witnesses of.
- 291, 3112 - While claiming to follow gods revelations to them, they kill prophets!
- 5103 - They invents lies against god, and laws god never approved
Conning/manipulative
- 2912 - They say "If you follow our way, we will be responsible for your sins."
- 214 - They cheat and deceive
- 634 - They speak eloquently, and impress by their physical apperances.
- 5916 - They use you for their own purpose, and then disown you.
Lack of remorse or guilt
- 18104 - They believe their doing good
- 212 - they are the evildoers, but they do not perceive
Shallow affect
While I'm unable to single out one verse which states "shallow affect" particularly, there are plenty of verses to show that they are indeed shallow.Callous/lack of empathy
Again, I've not verse stating this particularly. But seeing their works and how they reacet, it's obvious they lack empathy.Parasitic lifestyle
- 4161 - They take financial interest, and consume people money unjustly.
- 417 - "The ones who do not contribute towards betterment,"
- 4825 - They prevent donations from reaching their destination.
Poor behavioral controls
- 4137 - They're unable to decide, one moment they believe, the other they don't.
Promiscuous sexual behavior
Cannot remember the verse; unsure.Early behavioral problems
Again, unsure.Lack of realistic, long-term goals
- 4137 - They're unable to decide, one moment they believe, the other they don't.
- 3827 - They believe the creation is meaningless
Impulsivity
- 4137 - They're unable to decide, one moment they believe, the other they don't.
Irresponsibility
- 417 - Denial of the hereafter.
- 8519 - They are in denial
- 343 - They deny The Hour
Failure to accept responsibility for own actions
- 211 - unable to take responsibility for their deeds.
Many short-term marital relationships
Again, no clear statements on this from the quran. However, I expect that any person with a little self-worth would not bother putting up with the personality we are describing here.Juvenile delinquency
No clear statementRevocation of conditional release
As seen, this is likely, as the disbeliever is unable to keep his pledges and unable to keep on trackCriminal versatility
Again its likely, considering the enviroments such people would be intermingling in.A little about the psychopath
http//www.slate.com/id/2099203/
Reading that article, can one really miss the resemblance between a kafir as described in the quran, and a psychopath?
A quote from the article
In popular usage, almost any crazy killer is a "psychopath." But in psychiatry, it's a very specific mental condition that rarely involves killing, or even psychosis. "Psychopaths are not disoriented or out of touch with reality, nor do they experience the delusions, hallucinations, or intense subjective distress that characterize most other mental disorders," writes Dr. Robert Hare, in Without Conscience, the seminal book on the condition. (Hare is also one of the psychologists consulted by the FBI about Columbine and by Slate for this story*.) "Unlike psychotic individuals, psychopaths are rational and aware of what they are doing and why. Their behavior is the result of choice, freely exercised." Diagnosing Harris as a psychopath represents neither a legal defense, nor a moral excuse. But it illuminates a great deal about the thought process that drove him to mass murder.Here is more articles if you are intrested.
http//www.hare.org/links/media.htmlTroubling Verses
3178 - "So that they may increase in transgression"
625 - "We have made covers over their hearts"
2130 - How could they have known either way?
4150 - But isn't their a difference between god and his messengers?
2848 - I'm not sure THEY even existed at the time of moses.
997 - A whole race labeled rejecters?
1789 - Most of mankind rejecters?
431 - small sins forgiven, bigger ones not?Interesting Verses
406 - They ARE the dwellers of the Fire?
379-80 - The prophet not to be taken as a "lord"
4155 - "They do not believe, except a few".
2859 - "except when its members practise iniquity"Hope it helps.
Nadeem
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Kafir is you, if you believe in Allah but you were included in this verse
Hast thou not turned thy vision to those who declare that they believe in the revelations that have come to thee and to those before thee? Their (real) wish is to resort together for judgment (in their disputes) to the Evil One, though they were ordered to reject him. But Satan's wish is to lead them astray far away (from the Right).
When it is said to them "Come to what Allah hath revealed, and to the Messenger" thou seest the Hypocrites avert their faces from thee in disgust.