Kufr

التعريف

Major kufr exits a person from Islam (e.g. denying Allah, mocking the religion, prostrating to an idol). Minor kufr is a grave sin without exiting Islam (e.g. fighting another Muslim, attributing rain to the stars).

النطق: kufr

الاشتقاق والجذر

From the root ك-ف-ر (k-f-r), meaning 'to cover, to conceal.' The disbeliever 'covers' the truth that has been made clear to him.

الاستخدام في القرآن

'Whoever disbelieves in Allah after his belief... upon them is wrath from Allah, and for them is a great punishment.' (an-Naḥl 16:106)

ملاحظات علمية

The Salaf distinguished kufr akbar (which exits Islam) from kufr aṣghar (which does not). Takfīr of an individual requires the conditions to be met and the impediments removed — it is the prerogative of qualified scholars, not laymen.

مفاهيم خاطئة شائعة

The Khawārij rush to declare every sinner a disbeliever; the Murji'ah refuse to acknowledge any action as kufr. Ahl us-Sunnah affirm kufr where the texts affirm it, with care for the conditions.

التطبيق العملي

Be cautious about declaring individual Muslims to be disbelievers — leave that to scholars. But know what statements and actions constitute kufr so you yourself avoid them.

للاستزادة

المزيد من Aqeedah Terms