So what are people thinking when they so casually call others kafir?
This question comes from a recent happening at our masjid. A young American lady came in with her 2 little children. She had been reading up about Islam and just a few weeks earlier had accepted Islam along with her kids. So looking for some help, she found our way into our masjid, bumps into this lady who congratulates her and starts talking about the new convert’s non-muslim family and eventually calling them kafir!
PERSONALLY I find that pathetic that we use this term so casually and label people without thinking of the hurt we may be causing them. And then, who the heck are we assume the role of a superior community? Humility, no? Aren’t we breaking the very fundamental Islam is based on?
to say it without the understanding of the new convert would seem like an injustice
however the new convert is unlikely to have converted if she didnt feel she was converting to salvation and those, her familly, who do not ARE outside the fold of islam.
i think the comment only has a so so negative effect because no-one can misguide whom Allah guides (although her guidance may continue with a different community if she feels you are insensitive)
There are very strict rules for calling any one kafir and even then it is the duty of fuqaha , if some layman/New scholar does this then he/she is risking his/her own eeman
when we use the term kafir, we think its a derogatory term... the way we've been taught is some very nasty person whose insane,illiterate,untouchable and all those terms comes in our mind. Though, this is not what the term really is referring to. Kafir in its simplest means someone who denies. Theres nothing to be shameful in being a kafir. This is a term people choose for themselves. Hindus,Christians,jews etc are kafir for the reason that they do not accept Quran to be the word of Allah and do not accept Muhammad PBUH to be the messenger of Allah. Therefore they deny, which makes them kafir. This is what they choose for themselves. Other than that.. they're equally humans and they have all the right to live.
But again, a denier of something should not have any problem with someone calling them kafir. If s/he insist they're not and is a believer than no one has the right to say anything to them. Kafir word should not be used to defame anyone in the first place. I only told you what kafir really means.
Only a Muslim will be offended if called kafir because it is like a slur for a Muslim. Non Muslims are categorized as Kafir, Mushrisk , Munafigs etc. I a non Muslims knows that this term is used as a derogatory terms for Muslims , they might or might not be offended , but logically there is no reason for them to be offended.
when we use the term kafir, we think its a derogatory term... the way we've been taught is some very nasty person whose insane,illiterate,untouchable and all those terms comes in our mind.
but therein lies the problem......when the term is used as a slur.
and if the person is denying then they will have no issue with the actually meaning of the word.
the issue arises when someone's opinion is not enlisted and they are expressly referred to as kafir.......who are we to know what they believe and what they don't until and unless we can see into their hearts?
How can you co-exist with other cultures or religions when you so staunchly believe they are inferior and you actually have derogatory terms for them in your religious vocab?
How can you co-exist with other cultures or religions when you so staunchly believe they are inferior and you actually have derogatory terms for them in your religious vocab?
It is as derogatory only if it is used for a Muslim person. If you call a Muslim person kafir they will be offended because they are believers in what Islam has to offer. It is non derogatory if used for a non-Muslim , it is a statement of truth. Since they do not believe in what we believe so the are negating our beliefs and so are kafir or non-Muslim, which is a dictionary meaning of this term. There is nothing wrong with calling a spade a spade. No ?
If you call some fair colored desi kalia , they will be offended , but if you call kalia , kalia they should not be offended.
Kafir actually refers to a farmer who "buries" the seed in the ground. Likewise, when the truth (Islam) comes to non-believers and once they feel that it is actually the truth but "burries" it inside their heart, they are called kafir.
However, we are no one to put lable on others when we are not even sure about our own Iman and are in constant struggle of saving it in this life. We should rather be worried about brining our ownselves and others around us in the fold of truth than throwing them out of it.
Only a Muslim will be offended if called kafir because it is like a slur for a Muslim. Non Muslims are categorized as Kafir, Mushrisk , Munafigs etc. I a non Muslims knows that this term is used as a derogatory terms for Muslims , they might or might not be offended , but logically there is no reason for them to be offended.
would you be offended if you are called heathen? because technically this is what christians think of everyone else. just because kafir is in arabic doesn't mean it isn't offensive to people who aren't muslim.
It is as derogatory only if it is used for a Muslim person. If you call a Muslim person kafir they will be offended because they are believers in what Islam has to offer. It is non derogatory if used for a non-Muslim , it is a statement of truth. Since they do not believe in what we believe so the are negating our beliefs and so are kafir or non-Muslim, which is a dictionary meaning of this term. There is nothing wrong with calling a spade a spade. No ?
If you call some fair colored desi kalia , they will be offended , but if you call kalia , kalia they should not be offended.
See THAT is the point Mirch. If I as a muslim is offended IF someone calls ME a kafir, it means I find that word derogatory. Hence I should be careful and not use it for others.
See THAT is the point Mirch. If I as a muslim is offended IF someone calls ME a kafir, it means I find that word derogatory. Hence I should be careful and not use it for others.
I have not studied the religious injunctions of this matter but normally I would be reluctant to use the term loosely. When someone is called a kafir then that person is being condemned to hellfire, wrath, and punishment so it is quite a serious matter.
In all fairness it does not in any way equate an atheist condemning religious people because they are condemn somebody's idealogy and not issuing a verdict of punishment such the ones that are associated with the term 'kafir'. Last but not least when I am unsure about my own fate in front of God (I am commanded by religion to pray for it dozens of time each day) then how could I decide the fate of others whom I do not even completely know or understand?
In my view, I think if a non-muslim who don't know nothing about Islam, calling him 'Kafir' or 'disbeliever' isn't right. But if that person were told about Islam and if he rejects than we can call him 'Kafir'. One who doesn’t know about Islam, never heard about it or even if he heard the word Islam but don't know anything what is 'Islam' can't be labeled as 'Kafir' or 'disbeliever'. Surely, that person will be offended or assume the word 'Kafir' or 'disbeliever' as his insult.
That is a common problem among some Muslims who prefer to call a non-msulim as 'kafir' or 'disbeliever', rather than telling/inviting him about/towards Islam. Just for a second if we (muslims) think if Allah SWT doesn’t like 'kafirs' or 'disbelievers' than why HE Almighty left them alive till today?. Surely, HE Almighty loves His creation and given us (muslims) the duty to invites them towards the right path. The same duty was given by Allah Almighty to all the Prophets and Rasools.
The Holy Quran, Surah Al Nisa verse 150-151 tells us who are 'Kafir', or 'disbeliever'.
