2006-07-30 11:01:23 · 10 answers · asked by BumThus 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Kafir is an Arabic word translated "infidel".
This term is not a racial slur, just the word used to indicate someone who is either apostate from Islam, or refuses to become muslim.
It is not the equivalent of the Jewish concept of "gentile" as a gentile is someone who is not Jewish.
Please remember that Jews are descendants of Isaac's son Israel (not Judah specifically), so the word gentile indicates someone not of Jewish descent, whereas Kafir is not racial.
2006-07-30 11:07:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 2⤋
Kafir, of course, is the Muslim word for a non Muslim. Gentile, of course, is the world for a non-Jew.
As for how the word is used, most Muslims will use "Kafir" in a derogatory sense. The word does mean "unfaithful" or "infidel" if you will. Gentile has origins in the Bible where it means "stranger" used to denote one who was not a native of Judea.
Originally, Gentile was more of a racial term used by Jews- back before Jesus' time when the Jews were an ethnic group as well as a religious group.
2006-07-30 18:07:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most if not all the answers for the meaning of Kafir are wrong here!
Christians and Jews are referred to as People of the Book (ahle kitaab) in Islam. Because Torah & Bible are mentioned in Quran as sacred text!
Idol worshippers are called as Mushrik ( people who assosciate partners with God, More then one God) in Islam.
Kafir is a person who is a non believer
The word Kaafir in Arabic comes from the word Kufr ( kufr means not to thank, which is opposite of Shukr meaning to thank)
A gentile is a person of Non jewish origin or Non jewish faith. Sometimes Pagans are also called Gentiles.
And lastly a couple of answers earlier saying Kaffir(Kafir) is an african tribe is not wrong either! Members of southern African bantu speaking tribes are also called Kafirs, though meaning might be something else!
2006-07-30 18:17:39 · answer #3 · answered by rickashe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kafir in arabic means : denier ( non beleiver ) it's not only in religion. You can use it for ungratefull people that deny uou have done any good to them without meaning that they have any different religion. In the general context Muslims call the people that don't beleive in their message Kafir
Gentile is a word used by Jews to describe non Jews.
2006-07-30 18:09:13 · answer #4 · answered by Smily O 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Doug you're totally off, kafir means unbeliever!!
2006-07-30 18:07:19 · answer #5 · answered by Peace 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
kaf·fir also kaf·ir :A tropical African variety of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) grown in dry regions and in the Great Plains for grain and forage. Also called kaffir corn.
gen·tile :
n. often Gentile
One who is not of the Jewish faith or is of a non-Jewish nation.
A Christian.
Archaic. A pagan or heathen.
Mormon Church. A non-Mormon
2006-07-30 18:06:13 · answer #6 · answered by UR DADDY 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
those who killed innocent peoples is kafir ..
but if gentle people kills innocent people by some lawful trics then they are more kafir ...
2006-07-30 18:44:01 · answer #7 · answered by kam 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
kafir is sum1 who is not a muslim or sum1 who converts to sum other religion....and gentiel is being of a non jews faith.
2006-07-30 18:05:44 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Isn't Kaffir a derogitory slang word for South African blacks?
2006-07-30 18:04:23 · answer #9 · answered by DougDoug_ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
none, they are both Goyim and are subhumans destined to be the slaves of gods chosen people, it says so in the bible.
2006-07-30 18:07:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋