In an article published by the New Statesman by Ziauddin Sardar titled “Clerical errors in the name of God” it is argued that “the Quran does not denounce non-Muslims as ‘infidels, but describes Jews and Christians as ‘people of the Book.”
The first problem I have with Zia’s statement is the conflation of Ahlul Kitab (people of the Book) with Kuffar (disbelievers), this is unacceptable from someone who purports to carry out Tafsir of the Qur’an. The second problem I have is that it is only half true and it is also disingenuous! Why, because we have in the Qur’an for example; the word “Disbelievers” appears 153 times in 144 verses in Pickthall’s translation. Further the word “unbelievers” appears 175 times in 158 verses in Yusuf Ali’s translation.
Now the root word for disbeliever, unbeliever, non-Muslim or infidel is Kafir the plural being Kuffar. We cannot change the meaning of words and that which it describes either out of its own context nor to serve an inferiority complex. This is not interpretation but linguistic facts well established.
Some may argue that the word infidel is a bit offensive or the words disbeliever, unbeliever are offensive – so what? It does not mean that we change the intended meaning of the word Kafir or the word Kuffar – not at all. We may be aware of those out there that are ‘calling’ for Muslims to stop calling the non-Muslims Kafir or Kuffar! This reminds me of some apologetic Muslims who go round telling anyone that will listen that Islam has no concept of war, they would go to the extreme and deny Jihad, all due to their inferiority complex. When has Allah asked such people to be defenders of this religion? This form of duplicitous argumentation is a root cause for much of the misunderstanding of Islam by non-Muslims.
I don’t want to be unfair to Zia and to balance what I have already said I do believe we need to be clear on the matter of how we perceive non-Muslims. Some have stated that we should in general “hate” non-Muslims as required by the understanding of the concept of Al Wala Wal Bara, however this is not the understanding of the scholars that I have encountered who state that we should in general “hate” the disbelieving actions of the non-Muslims but not them as a person. The example sighted is that of Umar (ra) and the Du’a made by the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, for Allah to guide him to Islam as well as the incident at Ta’if. Now Umar (ra) at that time was very hostile to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and the Muslims yet the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, made Dua to Allah to guide him.
As for those that argue that no, you must ‘hate’ the person even in the general I find that perplexing, how on earth do you give Dawah, make Dua and wish good (as Islam is good) for someone you hate?
Salam,
Not to be an apologetic, but personally I do feel uncomfortable about identifying an individual as a ‘kafir’ as I feel I am making a judgement about them – a right Allah (swt) alone holds. As I understand it, to be a kafir you must be in an ‘active’ state of disbelief and rejection of Allah (swt), therefore many people are more in a state of diversion rather than kufr. So for me to label them is not necessarily fair…but that’s just me and maybe I’m wrong.
Nonetheless, there is no such thing as being apologetic with regards Quranic translation. That certainly reflects a desire to please rather than proclaim, which unfortunately is a trap, given our weakened state, that many Muslims are falling into these days.
Besides that – I really don’t see how Muslims can think that we must hate all disbelievers in person. It doesn’t even make logical sense – Allah (swt) has love and mercy for all His creation, why would He ask us to hate one another? And yes, how on earth would you give Dawah to someone you hate?
As they say, “love the sinner, hate the sin” (and spread the deen!) :).
Ws
Salam,
I absolutely agree with your first point – it is not for us to pronounce any Muslim a Kafir, but if the person is not a Muslim and has not taken the Shahada then we should not feel uneasy or worried to say so. Whether we say it in English or Arabic – the fact remains they are not Muslim and that in itself is not an issue. It is important that we make the distinction between these two points.
I suspect some of us however use the word “kafir” or “infidel” to be derogatory which is hardly keeping in line with the words of Allah (swt) “Invite (all) to the Way of your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for your Rabb knows best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance.”
Please forgive me, but I’m going to “borrow” that line its fantastic” Love the sinner, hate the sin and spread the deen!” Poetic!
By all means, borrow away. Glad to see my random aphorisms come of some use!
Good article from Brother Azad. The usage of the word kafir is something normal to describe the non-Muslims. It is the terminology used by the Creator Himself. The problem comes when people think that it has some abusive or derogatory application, that is purely culutural and nothing to do with Islam or language.
As for hating the non-Muslims, again we often misunderstand because we borrow and translate without retaining original meanings. Baraa’a is the term used to signify ‘dissociation and distance’ – not exactly hatred as we understand it in English. Therefore, we must make baraa’a from the kuffar because it is something required from the basis of our beliefs – they are people who Allah does not love so how can we love them? However, that does not mean we can not wish good for them in the form of guidance. That is what Brother Azad referred to when he quoted the example of Prophet making du’a for ‘Umar and the people of Ta’if. Secondly, just because we make baraa’a from the kuffar does not mean we can not have everyday dealings with them and we should not observe good etiquettes with them. On the contrary, we must observe good manners and ettiquettes with the non-Muslims but WITHOUT taking them into our intimate affection and closeness. That sort of relationship is only allowed with the believers. WAllahu a’lam
Assalaam aleikum, this is an important point – how we perceive non-Muslims and how we term them. Addeen mu’aamalah – the deen is your mutual dealing swith people, so treat people in the best possible way! It is a matter of common sense and from the life pattern of the rasul, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, that we treat non-Muslims with respect. If one person calls another Kafir then one of them is definitely a kafir so be careful how you use the word, it is no small matter. Lastly, Muslims should not use the word infidel, it comes from the Chrisitans towards the end of the Crusades, mainly to designate Muslims, it is loaded with dire connotations which are not applicable to Islam and does not convey the meaing of the word kafir which means to cover over, specifically, to cover up the true nature of existence, that Allah is real and we are not.