AL-KUFR-DISBELIEF AND ITS VARIOUS MANIFESTATIONS

AL-KUFR-DISBELIEF AND ITS VARIOUS MANIFESTATIONS

Kufr is basically disbelief in any of the articles of Faith in Islam.

The articles of Faith are: To believe in -

(1) Allah,

(2) His angels,

(3) His Messengers,

(4) His revealed Books,

(5) The Day of Resurrection, and

(6) Al-Qadar, Divine Preordainments (Fate i.e. whatever Allah SWT has ordained must come to pass).

There are two aspects of disbelief:

(1). The major disbelief (Al-Kufr-al-Akbar): This aspect excludes one completely from the fold of Islam. There are five types (of this major disbelief):-

(a) Kufr-at-Takdhîb. This implies disbelieving the divine truth or denying of any of the articles of Faith.

Almighty Allah says:

"Then who does more wrong than one who utters a lie against Allah and denies the truth [this Qur'ân, the Prophet (Muhammad SAW), the Islamic Monotheism, the Resurrection, and the reward or punishment according to good or evil deeds], when it comes to him. Is there not in Hell an abode for the disbelievers? " (V. 39:32)

(b) Kufr-al-Ibâ' wat-Takabbur ma'at-Tasdîq. This implies rejection and pride to submit to Allah's Commandments after conviction of their truth.

Almighty Allah says:

"And (remember) when We said to the angels: 'Prostrate yourself before Adam.' And they prostrated except Iblis, he refused and was proud and was one of the disbelievers (disobedient to Allah)." (V. 2:34).

(c) Kufr-ash-Shak waz-Zan. This implies doubting or lacking of conviction in the six articles of Faith.

Almighty Allah says:

"And he went into his garden while in a state (of pride and disbelief) unjust to himself. He said: 'I think not that this will ever perish. And I think not 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.' " (V.18:3538)

(d) Kufr-al-I'râd. This implies turning away from the truth knowingly or deviating from the obvious signs which Allah has revealed.

Almighty Allah says:

"We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them except with truth and for an appointed term. But those who disbelieve turn away from that whereof they are warned." (V.46:3)

(e) Kufr-an-Nifâq. This implies hypocritical disbelief.

Almighty Allah says:

"They have made their oaths a screen (for their hypocrisy). Thus they hinder (men) from the Path of Allah. Verily, evil is what they used to do. That is because they believed, then disbelieved, therefore their hearts are sealed, so they understand not." (V.63:2-3)

(2) The minor disbelief (Al-Kufr-al-Asghar): This aspect of disbelief does not exclude one from the fold of Islam. It is also termed Kufr-an-Ni'mah. This implies disbelief manifesting itself in ungratefulness for Allah's Blessings or Favours.

Almighty Allah says:

'And Allah puts forward the example of a township (Makka), that dwelt secure and well-content; its provision coming to it in abundance from every place, but it (its people) denied the Favours of Allah (with ungratefulness). So Allah made it taste the extreme of hunger (famine)  and fear, because of that (evil, i.e. denying Prophet Muhammad SAW ) which they (its people) used to do." (V.16:112).