AsSalaamu Alaikum,

This post is inspired by the work of ukhti Miss Muslimah -

Is ‘Kaafir’ an Insult?

The word Kaafir – from the root word kafara – means to cover up.

In Islam, a kaafir is someone who disbelieves in the oneness of Allah and the messengership of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). To be Kaafir, in my understanding, a true kaafir, you must know the truth and reject it. So the english translation disbeliever  – becomes valid. You have been shown the signs, the ayats, it has been made plain to you, yet you disbelieve – Kaafir.  Muslims, in my opinion, have no right to use this word to degrade or insult anyone. It is a state of Kufr that someone is in, or characteristic of Kufr that someone has that is hated, not the person. So to insult someone with this word is foolish and only shows one’s lack of understanding. Character and etiquette, have a lot to do with using this word correctly and again our reminder is the Qur’an -

Suratul Kafirun translated in English

Audhu’ billahi min ash-shaytan ir-Rajim

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

109.001
YUSUFALI: Say : O ye that reject Faith!
PICKTHAL: Say: O disbelievers!
SHAKIR: Say: O unbelievers!

109.002
YUSUFALI: I worship not that which ye worship,
PICKTHAL: I worship not that which ye worship;
SHAKIR: I do not serve that which you serve,

109.003
YUSUFALI: Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
PICKTHAL: Nor worship ye that which I worship.
SHAKIR: Nor do you serve Him Whom I serve:

109.004
YUSUFALI: And I will not worship that which ye have been wont to worship,
PICKTHAL: And I shall not worship that which ye worship.
SHAKIR: Nor am I going to serve that which you serve,

109.005
YUSUFALI: Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
PICKTHAL: Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
SHAKIR: Nor are you going to serve Him Whom I serve:

109.006
YUSUFALI: To you be your Way, and to me mine.
PICKTHAL: Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion.
SHAKIR: You shall have your religion and I shall have my religion.

The Surah is simply put, no insulting involved, no reason for a person who does not believe or does not know to insult Allah (S.W.T.) or the Prophet (S.A.W.) or the religion of Islam, no, just you believe what you believe and I believe what I believe. No argument. This is Islam! Peace. The people of Islam, speaking to myself first, should be more concerned with not having an inkling of Kufr in our forte`.  Therefore, since that is our struggle, how can we insult someone for having Kufr. No, it says in Qur’an and I’m paraphrasing, when a party begins to speak in a bad manner on bad terms, leave until they are done.  It doesn’t say insult them or join them.  Islam is something to be understood and implemented. Allah knows well our hearts and He gives us the understanding for He guides us to His Light. So no muslim should feel safe from His Punishment and no “Kaafir” should be in despair.  Allah (S.W.T.) is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful. Do we make a jest of the dignity and privelege of guidance, by insulting those who don’t have it. And who’s to say that those same people being intentionally insulted by the word Kaafir won’t become muslim in the future? Allah makes muslims.  Allahu Allum! And that’s the skinny.

May Allah guide us all on the straight way

AsSalaamu Alaikum