4.3 Kafir (Non-Muslims)/Infidels
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** The simple definition of a Kafir is, someone who is not following every order of Allah. The Koran gives us an insightful definition for non-Muslims, telling us the reason these people do not follow the laws of Allah is that:
Those people who are of this belief or are follower of this belief that they receive only the immediate gains [2: 200].
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Types of non-Muslims
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** Koran tells us about three kinds of non-Muslims, each with its respective attributes. The three kinds and its characteristics are:
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i One group which rejects all of Koran
ii One group which accepts some and rejects some of the Koran
iii One group which on the outside accepts but in reality rejects Koran
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4.3.1 First Type of Kafir
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** Non-Muslims of this category openly reject all of the teachings of Koran. Though in practice they might be following some principles of Koran not because Koran orders it but because they themselves have come upon the value of following these principles.
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4.3.2 Second Type of Kafir
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** This group divides this world and the Hereafter into two different worlds and accordingly thinks and preaches that the gains of this world are achieved by some actions and Hereafter is gained by completely different deeds. This group also thinks that success in this world does not mean success in the next and failure in this world does not mean failure in next. For them, these two worlds are completely incompatible. While according to Koran if one is to succeed in the next world, they also have to be successful in this world too. And one will be successful in both worlds by following Koran.
** The other characteristic of this type is of a group which follows a part of Koran which suits them while the part of Koran which is against their lifestyle, leave them. Their thinking is that whatever they are following is enough to get them into Heaven, which of course is totally incorrect. To get into Heaven, one has to follow and act upon each and every word of Koran. For the people with such mentality, Allah exclaims:
What! You have Eman on one portion of these Laws of universe and deny its second portion [2: 85].
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4.3.3 Munafik: Third Type of Kafir
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** Munafik or hypocrites are the worse of this group. They profess they are Muslim but their real intentions are to harm the Islamic State from within. In todays context they can be called as spies, who penetrate into the public of Islamic State and cause damage from there. Unlike spies, a munafik might not be state sponsored and working against the Muslim nation because of personal reasons or because he does not believe in the teachings. The difference between their thoughts and actions is well captured by the ayah:
They, with their tongue, say all that which is not in their hearts [3: 167].
** Allah tells us about the goals of these people. These people soon create a group and start their intrigues in the form of a group, thus increasing the damage done to the Islamic Society, exponentially.
They always talk about Kufr amongst themselves. Indeed they have reverted to Kufr after professing Islam outwardly. They devise ineffective plans against you. But when they are asked about this they swear by Allah that they have never done any such thing. They act maliciously towards the believers out of envy for what the Divine Order had bestowed upon them. If they repent even now it would be better for them but if they revert to their former way of life, Allah will chastise them with a grievous chastisement in this world as also in the hereafter. They shall not have on earth any friend or helper [9: 74].
http://www.geocities.com/subagh2003/articles/kafir
