Why does Muslims abuse non Muslims by calling them kafirs?

Question

‘Kafir’ means one who rejects.

‘Kafir’ is derived from the word ‘kufr’, which means to conceal or to reject. In Islamic terminology, ‘Kafir’ means one who conceals or rejects the truth of Islam and a person who rejects Islam is in English called a ‘non-Muslim’.


If non-Muslims are hurt - they should accept Islam.

If any non-Muslim considers the word ‘Kafir’ i.e. ‘non-Muslim’ as an abuse, he may choose to accept Islam and then we will stop referring to him as or call him a kafir i.e. a non-Muslim.

Answer 1

In the Quran I find two meanings (of kafir), which become one the moment that we try to realise the divine standpoint.

The kafir in the first place, is not the follower of any religion. He is the opponent of Allah's benevolent will and purpose for mankind --- therefore the disbeliever in the truth of all religions, ---the disbeliever in all Scriptures as of divine revelation, --- the disbeliever to the point of active opposition in all the Prophets (pbut) whom the Muslims are bidden to regard, without distinction as messengers of Allah.

Our Holy Prophet (pbuh) himself said that the term Kafir was not to be applied to anyone who said 'Salaam' (peace) to the Muslims. The Kafirs in the terms of the Quran, are the conscious evil-doers of any race of Creed or community.

Hope this helps. May Allah bless you.

Answer 2

The truth of Islam says we should accept the only True, Almighty God, prefer to call as Allah as the Word is unique. The True God should not be anything which can be compared or described about. It is above everything which Human know. The truth of Islam further says that Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) as Allah's True messenger. Muslims believe this as the Truth. Whoever rejects it and conceals this truth is termed as "Kafir" which means the above. WE can translate as "Non-Muslims".

Answer 3

It seems that every religion has a term for someone who doesn't follow that religion. Usually the term is derogatory because those who believe a particular way have difficulty tolerating people with different opinions. I would rather be called a kafir by a Muslim than to be killed by one. But Islam doesn't frown too much about the latter idea, does it?

Answer 4

The term kafir is misused by many Muslims. If you are a Jew, we should say Jew, the people of the Torah and if you are a Christian, we should say the people of the Injeel(Bible). We are taught in Islam that this word is very harsh and should be used with extreme caution because we as humans cannot judge anyone. It is an accusation which is seen by the Unseen.
Because of the hatred, islamphobia and other attacks, Muslims view others in a whole different perspective.
The word kafir does mean someone who rejects the truth. It is more appropiate to use it for those who abuse us, slander us and openly deny our truth.
I feel nothing when I am refered to as a gentile by jews or one who will burn in hell because I don't believe Jesus(Peace Be Upon Him) was the son of Allaah(GOD) and that he died on the cross for th esins of mankind.

Answer 5

Kafir is in the Arabic what in English is the Infidel. No word can be obliterated once formed. It is Not an abusive word. Just a title of the addressees of the Prophet --- meaning 'O thee who denie the Prophecy'. Like infidel, the 'gentile' is another word, in the Bible referring to the deniers,or, the common folks.. Again, not an abuse; but a classification of persons. A word becomes abusive by its usage. In Roman Catholics, the word Jesuit means a Monk a Hermit a Spiritual person who has vowed to devote his life to the Religion. In the British English Jesuit is an 'abusive' word because the British are not Catholics, and the Jesuits may have worked hard in converting Protestants.

Answer 6

As for abusing the non-muslims or 'Kafirs' as you presumed,
Muslims have been instructed in the Quran...........


"You who believe, do not let one (set of) people make fun of another set."
"Do not defame one another."
"Do not insult by using nicknames."
"Do not backbite or speak ill of one another."
(49:11-12)

Therefore if one Muslim is abusing a non-muslim, he is going against the teachings/ instructions of Quran and may find himself commiting 'Kufr'.


This is what Quran says about 'Kafirs'.in 'Al-Kafirun'.....

[1] Say: O ye that reject Faith!
[2] I worship not that which ye worship,
[3] Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
[4] And I will not worship that which ye have been wont to worship,
[5] Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
[6] To you be your Way, and to me, mine


This is IN NO WAY ABUSIVE.

Dear, your presumptions suggest that Islam is coercive and forcefully demands obeyance.

However the Quran says.............

"There should be no coercion in the matter of faith." (2:256)

One more thing .........as per your version 'Kafir' means one who coceals or rejects the truth of Islam and a person who rejects Islam is, in English, called a non-muslim.

However there are many people who even dont know if Islam exists like tribal people of remote Africa etc. If the term 'Kafir' is abusive how would you call them ?

There are people who have not studied [enlightened] Islam, thus they didnt reject the faith but didnt accept it either. How would you classify them ?

The 'Kafirs' have been defined by the Quran in 'Al-Kafirun' as cited above but it nowhere appears abusive...

Answer 7

Should Islam adopt this strategy for its expansion policy? Its such a clear message you are sending that if you are hurt you convert to Islam, but you will use "Kafir" to address those who dont believe in Islam, that is such a low level of funtioning.
Yes want else can one expect where individual reasoning is taken away for ever.
The way you address others who do not believe in what you believe will itself repell people from Islam. You are a natural product of Islam, who has not respect for other human beings which allah created, when you disrespect other beings remember you are disrespecting Allah if you really believe in what i said, and i said the right thing.

Answer 8

All that means that man's in-humanity to man is still as strong as ever. And it is not just the people but the Government that also Foster this kind of reaction from its people and if it was not for the governments of our world, Racism would have die out a long time ago a. But as you also know or should know there is not one government on the face of this earth can control or function against a united front. So the governments give the people a common enemy and that is someone in that is not in the majority.. Like blacks and Hispanic and Non-Muslim are used to day. And just like
the American Indian's were used in their day. And the bad part is the people that are doing all this hating does not see or don't wish to see how stupid they are to continue to allow our Government to use them in that manner................................ So wars and the rumor of wars is the only way to settle things because the
people are to busy hating each other to talk to each other........................................................

Answer 9

1st of all we dont 'ABUSE' any 1 by callin em a kaafir...i hve sum christian n hindu frnds but weneva dey call me i dun go like 'hey kaafir how u doin' u knw muslims are not suppose 2 call any non believer as kaafir coz we neva knw wen dat person is shown true guidance n we may neva knw wen dat person becums a muslim. its a sin on a muslim's part 2 call sum1 a kaafir plus ur last 2 lines 'If non-Muslims are hurt - they should accept Islam.

If any non-Muslim considers the word ‘Kafir’ i.e. ‘non-Muslim’ as an abuse, he may choose to accept Islam and then we will stop referring to him as or call him a kafir i.e. a non-Muslim.'' are totally wrong

Answer 10

I've never heard the term "Kafir" before, but from your explanation of it, I (as a non-Muslim) find no reason to be offended.