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a. Definition:
Kufr, linguistically, means a covering or concealing.
Legally: antonym of Imân, for Kufr or infidelity is disbelieving in Allâh and His
Messengers, whether the disbelief is associated with denial or not, rather with
doubts, suspicion, aversion, jealousy, arrogance, or following some whims
which deters from adhering to the Message. Even though the denier's infidelity
is worse than others, so is the one who disbelieves and denies out of jealousy
while he recognizes in his heart the veracity of the Messengers. 1
1
Majmou aI-Fatawa, Sh. al-Islam b. Taymiyyah, vol. 12 p. 335.
Kufr, its definition and types
3. Kufr of doubtfulness, as mentioned in the words of Allâh:
“And those who disbelieve turn away from what they have been warned
with aversion.” (46:3)
“That is because they first believed, then disbelieved. So a seal was set
upon their hearts and consequently they do not understand.” (63:3)
The second type: The minor Kufr, or the practical Kufr, does not constitute
apostasy. This type of Kufr comprises sins that are referred to in the Book and
the Sunnah as Kufr, but do not reach the level of major Kufr, of such is
expressing ungratefulness to the favors of Allah, as Allâh says:
Kufr, its definition and types
“And Allâh sets forth for you a parable of a city which enjoyed security
and peace; its provisions came to it easefully from everywhere; but it
denied the favors of Allâh” (16:112)
So Allâh made it taste hunger and fear which were made to cleave to it
because of what they used to do.
And fighting of Muslims against each other, which is referred to in the Hadith
of the Prophet صلى هللا عليه وسلم:
“Do not revert after me like the infidels killing each other.” 3 Likewise,
swearing by other than Allah.
“He who swears by other than Allâh, commits an act of Kufr, or Shirk.”
(At-Tirmidhi)
Allâh, the Exalted, has declared a Muslim who commits a major sin, as a
believer. He says:
2
Bukhari and Muslim
3
Bukhari and Muslim
Kufr, its definition and types
“O you who believe, retaliatory punishment in cases of homicide.”
(2:178)
Hence, Allâh, the Exalted, did not exclude the murderer from the believers,
rather He referred to him as the brother of the slain's guardian saying:
“And if two parties of believers fight against each other, make peace
between them.” (49:9)
And if after that one of them transgresses against the other, fight the party
that transgresses until it returns to the command of Allâh. Then if it returns,
make peace between them with equity, and act justly. Verily, Allâh loves the
just.
3. The major Kufr condemns one who commits it to eternal abode in Fire.
While one who commits the minor Kufr, if he enters the Fire, he would
not remain in it eternally. It may be that Allâh forgives him, and he
would not enter it in the first place.
4. The major Kufr justifies violating the blood and property of the one who
commits it. While the minor Kufr does not.
5. The major Kufr makes it incumbent upon the believers to treat with
enmity the one who commits it, thus, it is not permissible for the
believers to love or befriend the one who commits it even if he is a very
close relative.
As for the minor Kufr, it does not prevent loving and befriending him at all.
Rather, he should be befriended proportionately to the Imân he possesses
and be abhorred proportionately to the disobedience he commits.