Regarding the word "Kafir"

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- Thedarkknight89
- Ex-Muslim
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Regarding the word "Kafir"
OP - December 02, 2017, 03:36 PM

Whats the definition of kafir in this verse.

Al-Bayyinah 98:6

اِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا مِنْ اَهْلِ الْكِتٰبِ وَالْمُشْرِكِيْنَ فِىْ نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ خٰلِدِيْنَ فِيْهَاؕ اُولٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمْ شَرُّ الْبَرِيَّةِؕ

Indeed, they who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists will be in the fire of Hell, abiding eternally therein. Those are the worst of creatures.

A Muslim friend of mine said the word kafir here refers to the people who rejected islam even after knowing the truth and It does not apply to all non Muslims. What are your thoughts on this?
- yeezevee
- Pub Regular
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Regarding the word "Kafir"
Reply #1 - December 02, 2017, 03:52 PM

Quote from: Thedarkknight89 on December 02, 2017, 03:36 PM
Whats the definition of kafir in this verse.

Al-Bayyinah 98:6

اِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا مِنْ اَهْلِ الْكِتٰبِ وَالْمُشْرِكِيْنَ فِىْ نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ خٰلِدِيْنَ فِيْهَاؕ اُولٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمْ شَرُّ الْبَرِيَّةِؕ

Indeed, they who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists will be in the fire of Hell, abiding eternally therein. Those are the worst of creatures.

A Muslim friend of mine said the word kafir here refers to the ~~people who rejected islam even after knowing the truth~~ and It does not apply to all non Muslims. What are your thoughts on this?

that is Salafist Islam. but your friend is partially true... that
all non Muslims are not kufar...

Do not let silence become your legacy.. Question everything
I renounced my faith to become a kafir,
the beloved betrayed me and turned in to a Muslim
- Absurdist
- Ex-Muslim
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Regarding the word "Kafir"
Reply #2 - December 02, 2017, 10:16 PM

I think a more literal translation would be something like, "Those of the People of the Scripture who have disbelieved..."

The reason I say this is that من here has the meaning of "a part of". It's not the same as "among".

A part of = a member of
Among = someone who exists within a community but isn't necessarily a member of said community.

Literally, and more generally, من means "from". When you're "from" a community, you're a part of it, not just among it.

To answer your question: Yes, this verse talks about members of the People of the Scripture who have disbelieved. It doesn't address disbelievers in general.
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