Who Is A Kafir In The Quran? (Part 2): Muslim–Kafir Relationship
A Comment by Observer in New Age Islam
9 Feb 2015
In part 1 of the article, we have seen that Kafir is a term that the Quran does not associate with any faith or belief system but uses it only for people who indulge in acts of kufr. These acts of kufr have been detailed in the previous part.
Muslim – Kafir relationship
Muslims are asked not to befriend the kafirin.
(3:28) Let not the believers Take for friends or helpers kafirin rather than believers: if any do that, in nothing will there be help from Allah: except by way of precaution, that ye may Guard yourselves from them. (4:139) Yea, to those who take for friends kafirin rather than believers: is it honour they seek among them? Nay,- all honour is with Allah. (4:144) O ye who believe! Take not for friends kafirin rather than believers: Do ye wish to offer Allah an open proof against yourselves?
(5:57) O ye who believe! take not for friends and protectors those who take your religion for a mockery or sport,- whether among those who received the Scripture before you, or among the kufaru; but fear ye Allah, if ye have faith (indeed).
Verse 5:51 asks Muslims not to take Christians and the Jews as protectors because they are more likely to be protectors to each other. This is a context specific warning since 5:82 says that Christians are more likely to be nearest in love to Muslims (presumably when not making common cause with the Jews). There is nothing similar against the Polytheists except a warning in (5:82) Strongest among men in enmity to the believers wilt thou find the Jews and Pagans; and nearest among them in love to the believers wilt thou find those who say, "We are Christians":
There is however no prohibition on taking the polytheists as friends. The prohibition for taking of friends is from among the kafir or the open enemies.
While friendship with the kafir is prohibited, verse 2:221 prohibits marriage with the mushrikin or the polytheists. Here it does not matter whether the mushrik is also a kafir or not.
The following is a clear verse enjoining treating the non-Kafir among the non-Muslims (Jews, Christians, Polytheists) with kindness and justice.
(60:8) Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly (taburruhum) and justly (tuqsitu) with them: for Allah loveth those who are just. (9) Allah only forbids you, with regard to those who fight you for (your) Faith, and drive you out of your homes, and support (others) in driving you out, from turning to them (for friendship and protection). It is such as turn to them (in these circumstances), that do wrong.
The call for justice and fairness in dealing with non-Muslims who are neither at war with nor hostile to Muslims is the recommended golden rule. The verse clearly states the normal state for a relationship between Muslims and Non-Muslims should be based on the best morals and justice with those who declare peace and do not fight them.
The Quran uses the word, “Bir,” which is typically used to describe the highest relationship one could have with parents. The Quran also uses “Bir” to describe the type of relationship we should have with Non-Muslims. “Bir” includes all the good things that a relationship should have, and excludes all the bad aspects of a relationship. For that reason, Muslim scholars said that “Bir” is the foundation of the relationship between Muslims and Non-Muslims.
Verses That Ask Muslims to Fight
Except for Surah 9 which will be discussed separately, none of the verses regarding fighting mention the enemy that the Muslims are called upon to fight by their faith but by what they do or by the term Kafir.
(2:190) Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors.
(3:13) "There has already been for you a Sign in the two armies that met (in combat): One was fighting in the cause of Allah, the other resisting Allah; these saw with their own eyes Twice their number. But Allah doth support with His aid whom He pleaseth. In this is a warning for such as have eyes to see."
(8:38) Say to the kafaru (the people who fought the Muslims in the battle of Badr), if (now) they desist (from practicing oppression), their past would be forgiven them; but if they persist, the punishment of those before them is already (a matter of warning for them).(39) And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah altogether and everywhere; but if they cease, verily Allah doth see all that they do.
The Verses of Surah 9
Surah 9 was revealed after the conquest of Mecca. As can be seen, the war was mostly with the Meccans and their allies and the Meccans were all mushrikin. Notice when mushrik is used and when kafir is used in these verses.
Verses 9:1 and 9:2 declare amnesty of four months to all mushrikin but with a warning that the kafirun among them will be covered with shame at the end of the period.
9:3 and 9:4 announces dissolution of all treaties with the mushrikin except with those who never broke their treaty and warns the kafirun (not mushrikin) of a grievous penalty.
Verse 9:5 is a command to kill all mushrikin at the end of the four month period with the exception of:
1. Those who never broke their treaty or never fought the Muslims
2. Those who seek asylum
If the command was to kill only the kafir, then the problem would have been how to identify them. The verse identifies the non kafir among the mushrikin through the exceptions listed above. The rest of the verses are by way of justification and evidence of the kufr practiced by those who are to be killed which covers all the mushrikin except those who never broke their treaty with the Muslims or never fought against them or those who seek asylum. Asylum seekers are not defiant and therefore not kafir.
(9:1) A (declaration) of immunity from Allah and His Messenger, to those of the Pagans (mushrikin) with whom ye have contracted mutual alliances:-
(2) Go ye, then, for four months, backwards and forwards, (as ye will), throughout the land, but know ye that ye cannot frustrate Allah (by your falsehood) but that Allah will cover with shame those (kafirun) who reject Him.
(3) And an announcement from Allah and His Messenger, to the people (assembled) on the day of the Great Pilgrimage,- that Allah and His Messenger dissolve (treaty) obligations with the Pagans (mushrikin). If then, ye repent, it were best for you; but if ye turn away, know ye that ye cannot frustrate Allah. And proclaim a grievous penalty to those who (kafaru) reject Faith.
(4) (But the treaties are) not dissolved with those Pagans (mushrikin) with whom ye have entered into alliance and who have not subsequently failed you in aught, nor aided any one against you. So fulfil your engagements with them to the end of their term: for Allah loveth the righteous.
(5) But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans (mushrikin) wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
(6) If one amongst the Pagans (mushrikin) ask thee for asylum, grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah; and then escort him to where he can be secure. That is because they are men without knowledge.
(7) How can there be a league, before Allah and His Messenger, with the Pagans (mushrikin), except those with whom ye made a treaty near the sacred Mosque? As long as these stand true to you, stand ye true to them: for Allah doth love the righteous.
(8) How (can there be such a league), seeing that if they get an advantage over you, they respect not in you the ties either of kinship or of covenant? With (fair words from) their mouths they entice you, but their hearts are averse from you; and most of them are rebellious and wicked.
(9) The Signs of Allah have they sold for a miserable price, and (many) have they hindered from His way: evil indeed are the deeds they have done.
(10) In a Believer they respect not the ties either of kinship or of covenant! It is they who have transgressed all bounds.
(11) But (even so), if they repent, establish regular prayers, and practise regular charity,- they are your brethren in Faith: (thus) do We explain the Signs in detail, for those who understand.
(12) But if they violate their oaths after their covenant, and taunt you for your Faith,- fight ye the chiefs of (al-kufr) Unfaith: for their oaths are nothing to them: that thus they may be restrained.
(13) Will ye not fight people who violated their oaths, plotted to expel the Messenger, and took the aggressive by being the first (to assault) you? Do ye fear them? Nay, it is Allah Whom ye should more justly fear, if ye believe!
(14) Fight them, and Allah will punish them by your hands, cover them with shame, help you (to victory) over them, heal the breasts of Believers,
Very clearly, even under the most trying conditions of war spread over 9 years meant to annihilate Islam, the Quran makes a clear distinction between the `kafir’ among the non-Muslims and others. There is not a single verse in the entire Quran that directs the Muslims to treat people of other faiths with anything other than kindness and justice. The war is only against the kafir among them for the exclusive kufr of:
a) Those who fight the Muslims for their faith and drive them out of their homes.
b) Those who break their treaties and fight or aid other enemies of the Muslims
There is no verse in the Quran that asks the Muslims to fight with the kafir for any other form of kufr such as: Blasphemy, ridicule, rejecting faith etc.
By Observer - 2/9/2015 9:27:19 AM
No comments:
Post a Comment