AL-HUDA
Foundation, NJ U. S. A
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
HOME - NEWSLETTERS - BOOKS - ARTICLES - CONTACT - FEEDBACK
Article 1: - Article 2: - Article 3: - Article 4: - Article 5: - Article 6: - Article 7: - Article 8: - Article 9: - Article 10: - Article 11: - Article 12:
Interfaith Page-
Clarifying a Misconception
By Iftekhar Hai
IN my 15 years as an interfaith peace activist, I have been
asked one question over and over again: Who are the "kafirs" —
"infidels" — condemned in the Quran? Are they Christians, Jews,
Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, atheists?"
The first few times I heard this question, I was floored. I
hesitated. I stumbled, stammered and staggered, "Oh, they are
not Christians or Jews. The Quran refers to them as 'People of
the Book.'" One kind Episcopalian audience did not pressure me
for a deeper answer, and I breathed a sigh of relief, happy to
walk off that "Understanding Islam" lecture — though a lot more
confused.
Unacceptable answer:
In order to be declared a Muslim, one must say, "There is one
God, and Mohammed is His messenger." I was always told by
Islamic religious scholars that anyone who does not accept
Mohammed is a kafir. But I could not accept that answer — I knew
something was wrong.
All over the Quran, it says anyone who believes in God is a
believer, and that people can take any messenger as an example
to live their life. In my childhood, Father D'Souza of St.
Joseph's High School in Bombay, India, had told me that
Christians believe in God and emulate Jesus in their life. Yet
for years, I could not find a single imam or Islamic religious
scholar to sign on to a statement that, "It is not necessary for
any believer in God to take Prophet Mohammed as His last
messenger to be a believer."
Seeking compromise:
I embarked on a decade-long research trip, asking Islamic
scholars all over the world how one defines a kafir, in hopes of
building bridges of understanding among religions.
We have concluded that the word "kafir" is derived from the
Arabic root words kaf, fay and ray — "kufr" which means to
cover, conceal or hide with the intention of misleading or
misinforming. Just as sophisticated, premeditated perjury can
become treason; a kafir can be considered someone who has
committed treason against an overwhelmingly explained,
omnipotent God.
The intentional deceit must be proven beyond doubt in order for
someone to be classified as an infidel. Therefore, people who
never had the opportunity to learn about God, and therefore
remain ignorant, cannot rightfully be called kafirs.
Furthermore, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and
other religious followers say, "I believe in God." So, it is not
for any Muslim, scholar, imam or mullah to say that anyone who
does not also take Prophet Mohammed as Messenger of God is a
kafir. That decision rests only with God, the ultimate judge.
It is blasphemous to collectively accuse people of other faiths
of being non-believers, infidels or kafirs. The largest Muslim
organization on our continent, the Islamic Society of North
America, has now taken that stand in writing.
These reforms are coming from Islamic scholars born or
naturalized in the U.S. It is only a matter of time before they
spread throughout the world.
South City resident *Iftekhar
Hai* is president of the
United Muslims of America Interfaith Alliance. He and three
other local columnists take turns writing for Faith.
Next week: Rev. James Garcia, a Catholic priest.
HOME - NEWSLETTERS - BOOKS - ARTICLES - CONTACT - FEEDBACK
DISCLAIMER:
All material published by Al-Huda.com / And the Message Continues is the sole responsibility of its author's).
The opinions and/or assertions contained therein do not necessarily reflect the editorial views of this site,
nor of Al-Huda and its officers.