There is a common misconception that the Quran insults Hindus and other non-Muslims by calling them Kafirs. What is Kafir meaning? Is it derogatory? Let’s analyse.
Who is Kafir?
“Kafir” is an antonym for the word “Muslim”. Words have other words that are opposite in meaning to it. We call them ‘antonyms’. Example: good and bad, right and left, polite and rude etc. Similarly, the antonym (opposite word) for Muslim is Kafir.
A Muslim is a person who believes and accepts the teachings of Islam. A “Kafir” is a person who does not believe in Islam.
“Kafir” is NOT a derogatory word
“Kafir” is not a hateful or derogatory term, but a neutral term about belief used in the Quran. Like Islam, other faiths also use opposing terms to refer to those who do not follow their beliefs.
Opposite Terms in Other Faiths
Opposite words or antonyms are commonly used across all major faiths. They are used not to insult, but to differentiate between believers and non-believers, insiders and outsiders, or followers and non-followers of a particular tradition.
In Hinduism, the term “Mleccha” (or “Mlechha”) refers to people of non-Vedic origin or foreigners. In Christianity and Judaism, the term “Gentiles” is used to describe those who are not part of the Israelite or Jewish community. This practice is not unique to any one religion. Many other religions also use similar opposing terms.
- Sikhism: Manmukh (self-centered person) vs. Gurmukh (God-centered person)
- Buddhism: Arya (noble one/enlightened) vs. Anarya (ignorant/unawakened)
- Jainism: Shravak (Jain follower) vs. Nastik (non-believer in Jain doctrine)
Opposing Terms in Language
Even in language, we use opposing terms. For example in Hindi, the term ‘Firangi’ is used to refer to a ‘foreigner’. Every major Indian city has a Foreigners Registration Office. Would an American or German living in India take offense at being called a ‘Firangi’? Obviously not because it’s a neutral term used to describe someone from another country.
Just as ‘non-citizen’ is the opposite of ‘citizen’, and ‘foreigner’ of ‘native’, ‘Kafir’ conveys the opposite of ‘Muslim’.
How is “Kafir” defined?
To know how the word “Kafir” is defined, we must understand the meanings of the words “Muslim” and “Kafir”.
Meanings of the word Muslim and Kafir
The word “Muslim” is used for a person who believes in the following:
- God is ONLY One
- God is not in need of anything or anyone
- God does not have parents or children
- God does NOT discriminate on the basis of birth, race or caste.
- God does NOT have any weaknesses like sleep, illness, memory loss etc.
- There is NONE equal to God
- Life after death where God judges every human based on his actions in the world. The good people go to heaven and evil people go to hell.
- Prophets who were righteous people that were sent as role models to human beings.
- Believe and follow all the five pillars of Islam namely: Testimony of faith, Five times prayer, Fasting, Zakath and Hajj.
As we saw above, the word “Kafir” is simply the opposite of the word “Muslim.” Therefore, a “Kafir” can be defined as anyone who does not believe in the eight points mentioned above.
All humans including Hindus are honoured
God explicitly states in the Quran:
We (God) have honoured the children of Adam.
Quran Chapter 17: Verse 70.
Islam teaches that all of humanity are the children of Adam (first human being), and we all belong to the same human family. God has honored the entire human race. This includes Muslims, Christians, Hindus, and people of all faiths. If that’s the case, how can there be any question of insulting Hindus or anyone else?
Avoid Using ‘Kafir’ for Non-Muslims
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, one of India’s oldest and most influential bodies of Islamic scholars, has opposed referring to Hindus as ‘kafirs’. It stated that while the term ‘kafir’ is not inherently derogatory, it should be avoided to promote better understanding between the two communities.
Strictly speaking, the word `kafir’ only means someone not belonging to Islam; but if its use hurts anyone the term should be avoided.
Abdul Hamid Naumani, Spokesperson for Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind
Don’t use ‘Kafir’ – Indonesian Islamic Organization
Indonesia, an Islamic country, has the world’s largest Muslim population. Indonesia’s largest Islamic organisation, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), has asked Muslims not to use the word ‘Kafir’ for non-Muslims.
The word ‘kafir’ hurts some non-Muslims and is perceived to be theologically violent. Labeling fellow Indonesian citizens who participate in constructing the nation as ‘Kafir’ seems unwise.
Abdul Moqsith Ghazali, Chief Imam
A “Muslim” can also be Kafir
The terms “Muslim” and “Kafir” are based on a person’s actions, not their birth or name. A person is considered a Muslim only if they believe in and follow the commands of God and not simply because they were born into a Muslim family or have a name that sounds Islamic, like Sulthan or Shaikh. It’s possible for someone to have a Muslim name but still be a ‘Kafir’ if they reject Islamic beliefs.
Prophet Muhammad said:
The covenant that distinguishes between us and them is prayer; so whoever abandons it, is a Kafir.
Ibn Majah # 1079
As you can see, the saying is addressed to those considered ‘Muslims’ in society. This clarifies that the word ‘Kafir’ is not exclusively used for Hindus or non-Muslims, and it is never meant as an insult.
Conclusion
Islam stands for peace and justice, and the Quran encourages fairness and kindness towards non-Muslims. Now that the meaning of the term Kafir is clearer, we hope this understanding opens wider doors to mutual respect and harmony.
FAQs
What is the origin of the word “Kafir”?
The word “Kafir” is an Arabic word. It comes from the Arabic root word “Ka-Fa-Ra”, which means “to reject or disbelieve”, “to conceal” and “to be ungrateful”. In ancient Arabic, the word “Kafir” was used to refer to farmers as they concealed the seeds under the soil.
What is the history of the usage of the word “Kafir”?
The word “Kafir” was used to refer to farmers because the farmers hide the seeds under the soil. Even the Glorious Quran uses the word “Kafir” to refer to a farmer.
Know that this worldly life is nothing but play, amusement, luxury, mutual boasting, and competition in wealth and children. This is like rain that causes plants to grow, to the delight of the farmers (Kuffar – plural word for Kafir). But later the plants dry up and you see them wither, then they are reduced to debris. And in the Hereafter there will be either severe punishment or forgiveness and pleasure of Allah, whereas the life of this world is no more than the delusion of enjoyment.
Quran Chapter 57 Verse 20
