Kufr, its definition and types

continued from ... The Shirk, its definition and types

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

b. The types of Kufr are two:

The first type: The greater Kufr which constitutes apostasy and is of five
kinds:
1. Kufr of denial, as referred to in the following Ayah:

“And who is more unjust than he who forges a lie against

Allâh, or rejects the truth when it comes to him? Is there
not an abode in Hell for those who disbelieve”? (29:68)

2. Kufr of arrogance with acknowledgment, as proven by the words of Allâh,

the Exalted:

“And when We said to the angels: 'Prostrate yourselves before Adam,'

and they all prostrated except Iblis who was too arrogant and an
infidel.” (2:34)

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 he entered his garden while he was wronging himself (through

arrogance). He said, ‘I do not think this will ever perish; nor do I think
the Hour will ever come. And even if I am ever brought back to my
Rubb, I shall, surely, find a better resort than this. His companion said
to him, while he was arguing with him, “Do you disbelieve in Him Who
created you from soil, then from a sperm-drop, then fashioned you into
a perfect man? But as for me, I believe that Allâh Alone is my Rubb,
and I will not ascribe a partner to my Rubb.” (18:35-38)

4. Kufr of aversion. Its proof:

“And those who disbelieve turn away from what they have been warned
with aversion.” (46:3)

5. Kufr of hypocrisy, as proven by the words of Allâh:

“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:

“Reviling of the Muslim is an act of disobedience, and fighting him is

Kufr.”2

And in his saying:

“Do not revert after me like the infidels killing each other.” 3 Likewise,
swearing by other than Allah.

Prophet ‫ صلى هللا عليه وسلم‬said:

“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:

“Therefore, one who is granted remission by one's brother, then he

should pursue the matter in a kind manner and pay the blood-money
with kindness (when he excepts blood money) with fairness.”

‘Brotherhood’ which is referred to in the above Ayah, doubtlessly means

brotherhood in faith. Allâh, the Exalted, says:

“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.

“Surely all believers are brothers. So make peace between brothers.”

(49:10)

End of the Abridged Commentary from al-Aqidah at-Tahawiyah.

A. Summary of the differences between the major and minor Kufr:

1. The major Kufr constitutes apostasy, and nullifies the good deeds. While
the minor Kufr neither constitutes apostasy nor nullifies good deeds, but
it diminishes them, and subjects one who commits it to the threatened
punishment.
 Kufr, its definition and types

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.