Section 3: Kufr (Disbelief): Definition and Types

[A] Definition of Kufr. Linguistically, the word means to conceal or cover something. However, in the Shari 'ah, it means the opposite of /man (Faith). Kufr is the absence of Faith in Allah and His Messenger, whether it is associated with denial or not. Even, doubt and suspicion, turning away (from the Message), hatred, arrogance, or following desires, which prevent one from following the Message, are tantamount to Kufr. However, the one who denies is the worst disbeliever, likewise, the one who contests or denies the Message out of hatred, although he is sure of the truthfulness of the Messengers.13 [B] Types of Kufr. Kufr is of two types;

1. Major Kufr: This takes one out of the fold of Islam. It is of five classes: (i) Kufr of Denial: The evidence for this is the statement of Allah - the Most High: “And who does more wrong than he who invents a lie against Allah or denies the truth [Muhammad Ik and his doctrine of Islamic Monotheism and this Qur’an/, when it comes to him? Is there not a 13 Majmu' al-Fatawa of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah v. 12, pg. 335 dwelling in the Hell for disbelievers (in the Oneness of Allah and in His Messenger Muhammad []. ” (Qur’an 29: 68) (ii) Kufr of Obstinacy and Arrogance despite Recognition of the Truth: The evidence for this is the statement of Allah - the Most High: “And (remember) when We said to the angles: ‘Prostrate yourselves before Adam. ’ And they prostrated except Ibtis (Satan), he refused and was proud and was one of the disbelievers (disobedient to Allah). ” (Qur’an 2: 34) (iii) Kufr of Doubt and Uncertainty: The evidence for this is the statement of Allah the Most High: “And he went into his garden while in a state (of pride and disbelief) unjust to himself. He said: 7 think not that this will ever perish. And I think not that the Hour will ever come, and if indeed I am brought back to my Lord, (on the Day of Resurrection), I surely shall find better than this when I return to Him. ’ His companion said to him during the talk with him: ‘Do you disbelieve in Him Who created you out of dust (i.e. your father Adam), then out of Nutfah (mixed semen drops of male and female discharge), then fashioned you into a man? But as for my part (I believe) that He is Allah, my Lord and none shall I associate as partner with my Lord. ” (Qur’an 18: 35 - 38) (iv) Kufr of Abandonment (of the Message): The evidence for this is His statement, Most High is He: "... But those who disbelieve turn away from that whereof they are (v) Kufr of Hypocrisy: The evidence for this is the statement of Allah - the Most “That is because they believed, then disbelieved, therefore their hearts are sealed, so they understand not. ” (Qur’an 63: 3)
2. Lesser Kufr: This does not take one out of the fold of Islam. It is the Kufr of actions. These are sins which have been referred to as Kufr in the Qur’an and Sunnah, but which do not reach the level of Major Kufr. “/!«</ zt//a/i pu/.v forward the example of a township (Makkah), that dwelt secure and well content; its provisions coming to it in abundance from every place, but it (its people) denied the Favors of Allah (with ungratefulness). ” (Qur’an 16:112) Another example is fighting a Muslim, which is mentioned in his statement “Insulting a Muslim is sin and fighting him is disbelief.”' And in his statement “Do not turn after me disbelievers, striking the necks of one "'s Another example is swearing by other than Allah. He said: “Whoever swears by other than Allah, has disbelieved or committed Allah has called the one who commits a major sin a believer. He - the Most High - said: “O you who believe! Al-Qisas (the Law of Equality in punishment) is prescribed for you in case of murder...” (Qur’an 2:178) This (i.e. murder), did not exempt the murderer from the group of those who believe. He (Allah) also called him a brother to the Waliyul-Qisas (member of the family of the one murdered, who has the prerogative of demanding retribution upon the murderer). He said: 14 Reported by al-Bukharf and Muslim 15 Reported by al-BukharT and Muslim 16 Reported by at-Tirmidhi and he graded it Hasan. al-Hakim graded it Sahth “But if the killer is forgiven by his brother (i.e. brother or the relative etc. of the killed) against blood-money then adhering to it with fairness and payment of the blood-money to the heir should be made in fairness”. (Qur’an 2:178) Without doubt, the intent with the word ‘brother' is the brotherhood of religion. He - the Most High - said: “And if two parties or groups among the believers fall to fighting, then make peace between them both, but if one of them rebels against the other, then fight you (all) against the one which rebels till it complies with the command of Allah, then if it complies, then make reconciliation between them justly, and be equitable. Verily! Allah loves those who are equitable. The believers are nothing but brothers (in Islamic religion). So make reconciliation between your Summary of the differences between Major and Lesser Kufr.

1. Major Kufr removes one from the fold Islam and destroys all of one’s deeds, while Lesser Kufr does not remove one from the fold Islam and does not destroy all 17 Summarized from Sharh-ut-Tahawiyyah pg. 361, published by Al-Maktahul-Islami of one’s deeds. However, it diminishes it (the reward of deeds) and exposes one to
2. Major Kufr makes one reside in the Fire forever, while Lesser Kufr does not make one reside in the Fire forever even if one is made to enter it. Also, Allah could turn to him with repentance and thus he may never enter the Fire in the first
3. Major Kufr makes one’s blood and wealth lawful, while Lesser Kufr does not make one’s blood and wealth lawful.
4. Major Kufr necessitates total enmity between its people and the believers, so it is not permissible for the believer to make friendship with them (disbelievers) even though they may be the closest of relatives. As for Lesser Kufr, it does not prevent all forms of friendship, rather, the person is loved and taken as friend to the extent of what he possesses of Faith and despised to the extent of his sin.