Muslims are often criticized
for calling Hindus as kafars. What is the meaning of this word? Are Hindus
kafars? Let us see.
“The term ‘Kafar’ (Unbeliever)
is derived from the root ‘Kafara’ which means (1) to cover, (2) to deny, (3) to
show ingratitude. So ‘Kafar’ means he who hides a thing, or denies it, or is
ungrateful to God, or who does not thank God for what He has provided for man.
‘Kafar’ also means a peasant, since he covers the seed. The term is used in one
or other of these several senses. Generally it is used to mean one who did not
listen to Prophet Mohammad in his time or did not recognize the Supreme Being
who had provided one and all the good things of life.
In verses Q 14:32-34 &
Q.17: 67 (as numbered in Pickthal’s Translation) the term ‘Kafar’ is used in
the sense of ‘ungrateful’ and applied to all humanity.
The term is also applied to
the Jews of the Prophet’s time (Q.17:8) since they had neglected their
scripture, the Torah. In verse (Q.21: 94), the term is applied to God Himself
since He recognizes our rewards or does not hide one’s good work. The same idea
is conveyed in the Gita (2:40). In Quran (Q. 29:7) the term means to blot out,
to remit, to cover sins. In (Q.4: 150-151), it is pointed out that the real
Kafars are those who recognize certain messengers of God and deny others.”
You have seen the meaning of
Kafar and its usage in Quran. Now let us see whether the Muslims are justified
in calling Hindus as ‘Kafars’. If we take Unbeliever as the meaning, then we
cannot call Hindus as ‘Kafars’ as they, or at least a greater percentage of
them, believe in the Unity of God. Carrying the same viewpoint further, if the
idol-worshippers are called ‘Kafars’, then we must tell that there are a lot
many Hindus, the Arya Samajis, who do not believe in idol-worship. In such a
situation, ‘Kafar’ will have to be applied on case-to-case basis and not to
community on the whole.
In Q.4: 150-151, it is said
that Kafars are those who recognize certain messengers of God and deny others.
If we take this meaning to be correct, then that would mean that all, including
the Christians, the Jews, and the Hindus would come in the fold of Kafar. However,
since Muslims do not regard Christians and Jews as Kafars, this means that this
meaning is not applicable.
If Kafar is used for denying a
tenet of Islam, then that would mean that before the finger is pointed at the
Hindus, various sects of Islam would start pointing fingers at each other. We
all know that the subject of Caliphate is such where they deny each other’s
Caliphs.
What does Kafar mean then?
Kafar is used in relation to God. Therefore, does Kafar means one who denies
the presence of God? Surely, there are a lot many atheists in this world. This
cannot be true, because various messengers of God have said that after sincere
attempt to reach the truth, if one comes to conclusion that there is no God,
then that person too would be rewarded.
In our view, Kafar means one
who knows the truth about God and His Apostles, yet denies them. This has
happened in the past when religious books were deliberately distorted and might
still continue to happen in future. Such people are Kafars and worthy of great
punishment, as per Islam.
Term Kafar seems to be
synonymous with the term ‘atatayinah’ or those who have fallen from Dharma.
Since the Kauravas had fallen away from the true Vedic teachings regarding God,
the Kauravas are called ‘atatayinahs’ in Gita. (I.36). Gita tells that there
were few on Kaurava’s side who knew that what Krishna was saying was truth but
did not accept it for fear of loss of worldly position and benefits. Drona and
Bhima were certainly such people. That Drona and Bhima were the priests of
highest ranks, there surely must be several others on their side. In the
Manusmriti and other books ‘atatayinah’ are described as those who are
incendiary, poisoners, murderers, plunderers and those who commit excesses and
a death penalty has been prescribed for them. Manusmriti enjoins: “Kill the
atatayinah at sight.”
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