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2. (Islam) Infidel, pagan, non-believer;''' any non-Muslim'''. Ref: Shaykh Al-Islam ibn Taymiyyah (Rahimullah) v27 p264: "Whosoever does not forbid people from the deen of the Jews and Christians after the prophethood of the messenger Muhammad (saw) nor declares them kafir nor hates them, he is not a Muslim by the consensus of ALL Muslims, their scholars and the general public."''..."[http://www.allwords.com/word-kafir.html AllWords.com - kafir]''</ref> In the context of Islamic scriptures, "kafir" is the broadest, all encompassing category of non-Muslim, which includes all other sub-categories, such as ''mushrikun'', or polytheists (lit. "those who do ''shirk''", that is, attribute partners to God), ''dahriyah'', or those who deny the existence of any gods outright, as well as those who would today identify as agnostics, or suggest simply their ignorance of the existence of any gods. | 2. (Islam) Infidel, pagan, non-believer;''' any non-Muslim'''. Ref: Shaykh Al-Islam ibn Taymiyyah (Rahimullah) v27 p264: "Whosoever does not forbid people from the deen of the Jews and Christians after the prophethood of the messenger Muhammad (saw) nor declares them kafir nor hates them, he is not a Muslim by the consensus of ALL Muslims, their scholars and the general public."''..."[http://www.allwords.com/word-kafir.html AllWords.com - kafir]''</ref> In the context of Islamic scriptures, "kafir" is the broadest, all encompassing category of non-Muslim, which includes all other sub-categories, such as ''mushrikun'', or polytheists (lit. "those who do ''shirk''", that is, attribute partners to God), ''dahriyah'', or those who deny the existence of any gods outright, as well as those who would today identify as agnostics, or suggest simply their ignorance of the existence of any gods. | ||
Traditionally, a non-Muslim is called a ''Kafir''. | Traditionally, a non-Muslim is called a ''Kafir''.<ref name="Willis 2018">{{cite book |editor-last=Willis |editor-first=John Ralph |year=2018 |origyear=1979 |title=Studies in West African Islamic History, Volume 1: The Cultivators of Islam |chapter=Glossary |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rD0sBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA197 |location=[[London]] and [[New York City|New York]] |publisher=[[Routledge]] |edition=1st |pages=197 |isbn=9781138238534 |quote=''Kufr'': Unbelief; non-Muslim belief (''Kāfir'' = a non-Muslim, one who has received no Dispensation or Book; ''Kuffār'' plural of ''Kāfir'').}}</ref><ref name="Gerlach 2006">{{cite book | Hrsg=Gerlach J. | titel=Zwischen Pop und Dschihad: muslimische Jugendliche in Deutschland | Verlag=Ch. Links | Datum=2006 | isbn=978-3-86153-404-4 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jdZH6jyBYuIC | language=de | access-date=2022-06-21 | Seiten=197}}</ref><ref name="Der Islam 2022">{{cite web | title=Das Urteil darüber, dass der Nichtmuslim (Kafir) den Mushaf berührt - Frage und Antwort | website=Der Islam | url=https://islamqa.info/ge/answers/100228/das-urteil-daruber-dass-der-nichtmuslim-kafir-den-mushaf-beruhrt | language=de | access-date=2022-06-21}}</ref><ref name="Islam Fatwa">{{cite web | title=Pflichten des Muslims gegenüber dem Kafir (Nichtmuslim) | website=Islam Fatwa | url=https://islamfatwa.de/soziale-angelegenheiten/150-muslime-in-nicht-muslimischen-laendern/1369-pflichten-des-muslims-gegenueber-dem-kafir-nichtmuslim | language=de | access-date=2022-06-21}}</ref> | ||
==Theological struggles== | ==Theological struggles== | ||
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===In the case of non-Muslims=== | ===In the case of non-Muslims=== | ||
The root of the word "kafir" means "to conceal", and thus the word "kafir" implies or derives from the meaning of "one who conceals" and entails insincerity and even active deception on the part of the person being labeled a "kafir". That orthodox Islamic doctrine (following upon the Qur'an) categorically describes [[non-Muslims]] as ''kuffar'' can prove problematic in an an interfaith context, as it suggests that all | The root of the word "kafir" means "to conceal", and thus the word "kafir" implies or derives from the meaning of "one who conceals" and entails insincerity and even active deception on the part of the person being labeled a "kafir". That orthodox Islamic doctrine (following upon the Qur'an) categorically describes [[non-Muslims]] as ''kuffar'' can prove problematic in an an interfaith context, as it suggests that all disbelievers are deliberately deceiving themselves and others by not embracing Islam which they, in fact, know to be true. | ||
The other meaning implied in the root of the word "kafir" is "to be ungrateful", thus allowing the word "kafir" to be alternatively translated as "ingrate". This is likewise problematic in interfaith contexts as it entails the suggestion that all | The other meaning implied in the root of the word "kafir" is "to be ungrateful", thus allowing the word "kafir" to be alternatively translated as "ingrate". This is likewise problematic in interfaith contexts as it entails the suggestion that all disbelievers are somehow or the other ungrateful beings, in special distinction from Muslims, who are not so ungrateful. There is some disagreement on the extent to which the Quran applies the term kuffar towards the people of the book (see Abrahamic section below). | ||
===In the case of Muslims=== | ===In the case of Muslims=== | ||
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This approach ultimately devolves to the practice of declaring that someone who describes themselves as Muslim is, in fact, a non-Muslim or, worse, and apostate. This is known as [[Takfeer|''takfeer'']], or excommunication. Many extremist and [[Jihad|jihadi]] [[Salafi|salafist]] Muslims today employ this practice to justify their attacks on other Muslim populations who disagree with, in practice ''or'' word, their interpretation of Islam. | This approach ultimately devolves to the practice of declaring that someone who describes themselves as Muslim is, in fact, a non-Muslim or, worse, and apostate. This is known as [[Takfeer|''takfeer'']], or excommunication. Many extremist and [[Jihad|jihadi]] [[Salafi|salafist]] Muslims today employ this practice to justify their attacks on other Muslim populations who disagree with, in practice ''or'' word, their interpretation of Islam. | ||
==With relation to the people of other Abrahamic faiths== | ==With relation to the people of other Abrahamic faiths== | ||
Although Christians and Jews are called the [[People of the Book|People of the Book]] (أهل الكتاب ''ahl al-kitab'', a special title given by the Qur'an), orthodox Islamic teachings qualify them as disbelievers<ref>""...''the permissive people, who do not believe in any command or prohibition at all and refer to the Divine will and decree as an excuse for their evil deeds, are worse off than the Jews, Christians and Arab mushrikeen, because even though '''the latter are kaafirs''', they still believe in some kind of command and prohibition''..." - [http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/113901/atheist Atheism is a greater sin than shirk] - Islam Q&A, Fatwa No. 113901</ref><ref>"...''But it is not permissible to marry her, as she is still '''a Kafir (non-Muslim)''' and has not yet embraced Islam wholeheartedly without any doubt.''..." - [http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/index.php?page=showfatwa&Option=FatwaId&Id=88328 Thinking of marrying an atheist] - Dr. Abdullah Al-faqih, Islam Web, Fatwa No. 88328, July 21, 2004</ref><ref>"...''This is something that is well known among the Muslims, and '''they are unanimously agreed that the Christians are kaafirs''', and even that those who do not regard them as kaafirs are also kaafirs''..." - [[Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:People of the Book]]</ref>, and hence ''kuffār''. | Although Christians and Jews are called the [[People of the Book|People of the Book]] (أهل الكتاب ''ahl al-kitab'', a special title given by the Qur'an), orthodox Islamic teachings qualify them as disbelievers<ref>""...''the permissive people, who do not believe in any command or prohibition at all and refer to the Divine will and decree as an excuse for their evil deeds, are worse off than the Jews, Christians and Arab mushrikeen, because even though '''the latter are kaafirs''', they still believe in some kind of command and prohibition''..." - [http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/113901/atheist Atheism is a greater sin than shirk] - Islam Q&A, Fatwa No. 113901</ref><ref>"...''But it is not permissible to marry her, as she is still '''a Kafir (non-Muslim)''' and has not yet embraced Islam wholeheartedly without any doubt.''..." - [http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/index.php?page=showfatwa&Option=FatwaId&Id=88328 Thinking of marrying an atheist] - Dr. Abdullah Al-faqih, Islam Web, Fatwa No. 88328, July 21, 2004</ref><ref>"...''This is something that is well known among the Muslims, and '''they are unanimously agreed that the Christians are kaafirs''', and even that those who do not regard them as kaafirs are also kaafirs''..." - [[Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:People of the Book]]</ref>, and hence ''kuffār''. | ||
This view is somewhat complicated by verses which promise paradise to Jews and Christians who believe in God and the last day and act righteously ({{Quran|2|62}}, {{Quran|5|69}}), and may be related to {{Quran-range|3|113|115}} which distinguishes some of those among the people of the book ("They are not all alike..."). | |||
==Relevant Quotations== | ==Relevant Quotations== | ||
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====Guidelines on how to deal with disbelievers==== | ====Guidelines on how to deal with disbelievers==== | ||
The Muslims must remain united in opposition to the disbelievers, and maintain faith, while refusing to take the disbelievers as | The Muslims must remain united in opposition to the disbelievers, and maintain faith, while refusing to take the disbelievers as close allies. If the disbelievers acquiesce but then return "to enmity", they must be slayed, unless they have a treaty with the Muslims or seek refuge amongst them. Finally, if the disbelievers "incline to peace", so too should the Muslims. | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|4|88-90}}|88. What aileth you that ye are become two parties regarding the hypocrites, when Allah cast them back (to disbelief) because of what they earned? Seek ye to guide him whom Allah hath sent astray? He whom Allah sendeth astray, for him thou (O Muhammad) canst not find a road.<BR> | {{Quote|{{Quran|4|88-90}}|88. What aileth you that ye are become two parties regarding the hypocrites, when Allah cast them back (to disbelief) because of what they earned? Seek ye to guide him whom Allah hath sent astray? He whom Allah sendeth astray, for him thou (O Muhammad) canst not find a road.<BR> | ||
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90. Except those who seek refuge with a people between whom and you there is a covenant, or (those who) come unto you because their hearts forbid them to make war on you or make war on their own folk. Had Allah willed He could have given them power over you so that assuredly they would have fought you. So, if they hold aloof from you and wage not war against you and offer you peace, Allah alloweth you no way against them.}} | 90. Except those who seek refuge with a people between whom and you there is a covenant, or (those who) come unto you because their hearts forbid them to make war on you or make war on their own folk. Had Allah willed He could have given them power over you so that assuredly they would have fought you. So, if they hold aloof from you and wage not war against you and offer you peace, Allah alloweth you no way against them.}} | ||
The "sword verse", or ''ayat as-sayf'', in Arabic | The [[Quran]] instructs its listeners to [[Slavery_in_Islamic_Law|take captives]] from the disbelievers after killing and subduing them when they meet in battle, releasing or ransoming them when the war is over ({{Quran|47|4}}; see also {{Quran|8|67}} and {{Quran|33|50}} which gave the prophet specifically a right to take captives and women for himself from the spoils of war). Jurists in a later period, employing the doctrine of [[Naskh_(Abrogation)|abrogation]], determined that all disbelievers from what they defined as [[Dar al-Harb and Dar al-Islam (the Abodes of War and Peace)|Dar al Harb]] could potentially be captured as slaves.<ref>{{Citation|url=https://archive.org/details/islamabolitionof0000clar|title=Islam and the Abolition of Slavery|page=25–28|publisher=Oxford University Press|ISBN=978-0-19-522151-0|author=William Gervase Clarence-Smith|year=2006}}</ref> A surah from the final stages of Muhammad's career commanded that the mushrikeen with whom the believers no longer had a treaty be killed unless they accept Islam or seek protection, and that Jews and Christians were required to pay the [[jizyah]]. Verses {{Quran-range|9|5|6}} and / or {{Quran|9|29}} of this surah became known as the "sword verse", or ''ayat as-sayf'', in Arabic, and were considered by many scholars in the classical period to support expansive warfare and to abrogate a large number of earlier verses which were more explicitly defensive in nature.<ref>{{cite web |title=Islam |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Islam |work=Encyclopedia Britannica |location=New York |date=17 August 2021|access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref> | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|9|5-6}}|5. But when the forbidden 4 months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular [[Salah|prayers]] and practise regular [[Zakat|charity]], then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.<br> | {{Quote|{{Quran|9|5-6}}|5. But when the forbidden 4 months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular [[Salah|prayers]] and practise regular [[Zakat|charity]], then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.<br> | ||