The word “kafir” is derived from the Arabic language and means “to cover” or “to conceal.”
However, the word ‘kafir’ is commonly understood to be disbeliver, while its real meaning is to ‘cover. In the Quran, Allah SWT says:
كَمَثَلِ غَيْثٍ أَعْجَبَ ٱلْكُفَّارَ نَبَاتُهُۥ
“as the likeness of vegetation after rain, whereof the growth is pleasing to the farmers.”
In this verse, Allah calls the farmers ٱلْكُفَّارَ or Kuffar because they cover the seeds with the soil so they can grow. Similarly, the kafir covers the truth in his heart with rejection.
What is Kafir in Islam – Quick Overview?
The term “kafir” also comes from Arabic and signifies a disbeliever. “Kafir” is the singular form, while “kuffar” is the irregular plural form, meaning the disbelievers. This term appears numerous times in the Quran and Hadiths, warning people about various forms of kufr and their associated punishments.
The word “kafiron” (the disbelievers) is found in the Quran in Surah Kafiroon, the chapter dedicated to disbelievers. “Kafiroon” is the regular plural form of “kafir,” which can be substituted with “kafirin” (the disbelievers), based on the syntax of the sentence.
Are People Born As Kuffars?
According to Islam, every newborn is born in a state of purity and free of sins, no matter what his parents are or what they do. Each newborn is born on the right path and is ready to accept the belief in Allah and his oneness. But it is up to the parents if they make him follow Islam or any other religion.
The Prophet PBUH stated, “Every child is born with an innate belief in Islam, meaning they are naturally inclined to worship only Allah. It is their parents who influence them to adopt Judaism, Christianity, or Magianism. Just as a newborn animal is born perfectly formed, do you ever see it mutilated?” [Sunan Abi Dawud 4714]
The tafsir of Surah Maida, verse 19, states that Imam Ahmad documented that Iyad bin Himar Al-Mujashi reported that the Prophet delivered a speech on one occasion and said,
“I created all of My servants as monotheists (Hunafa). However, the devils led them astray from their true faith, forbidding them from what I had permitted and urging them to associate partners with Me in worship, something I never allowed.”
Imam An-Nawawi stated that Allah’s saying about all his servants being hunafa meant that all of the people are born as Muslims. It has also been interpreted to mean that they are “pure from sins” and “steadfast on the right path, turning toward Allah and accepting guidance.”
Can a Muslim Become a Kafir?
Committing acts of kufr can lead to a Muslim becoming a kafir and stepping out of the fold of Islam. There are two types of kufr.
Major Kufr (Kufr e Akbar)
Engaging in major kufr results in a person stepping outside the bounds of Islam, thereby becoming a disbeliever. If someone commits major kufr and dies without repentance (taubah), they will be condemned to hellfire and will remain there for eternity. Some types of major kufr are as follows:
Kufr ul-‘Inad
This term refers to disbelief rooted in stubbornness. It applies to an individual who is aware of the truth and openly acknowledges it with words yet deliberately refuses to accept it and holds back from making a declaration of faith.
Kufr ul-Kibr
Kufr ul-Kibr refers to disbelief stemming from arrogance and pride. An example of this type of kufr is the disbelief exhibited by devils, such as Iblis.
Kufr ul-Juhud
This term refers to disbelief characterized by rejection. This occurs when a person recognizes the truth in their heart but denies it verbally. This form of kufr applies to individuals who identify as Muslims yet reject essential practices of Islam, such as salat (prayer) and zakat (charitable giving).
Minor Kufr (Kufr e Asghar)
Committing minor kufr does not classify a person as a disbeliever but rather as a significant sinner and transgressor. Minor Kufr, often referred to as hypocrisy, should be avoided at all costs. Some types of minor kufr are as follows:
Murdering
Taking the life of another person is considered a major sin in Islam. Deliberately killing a believer constitutes an act of severe transgression. Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) stated in a hadith that mistreating a Muslim is an evil act, while killing a Muslim amounts to kufr.
Not Fasting
Scholars have differing views on someone who neglects their obligatory fasts out of laziness. Some consider such a person a kaafir, although the prevailing view is that they are not classified as a kaafir. However, they are in a very precarious situation due to their disregard for an essential pillar of Islam. In this instance, they should be corrected and make up for the fasts they missed.