Recognizing and acknowledging one’s benefactor is a sign of moral excellence. A person who values and respects his benefactor is considered honorable and dignified, whereas the one who denies or ignores favors is regarded as ungrateful.
If ingratitude is shown towards a fellow human, it is considered one of the worst moral traits. But what word should be used for the one who shows ingratitude towards his true Benefactor — the Creator of the entire universe?
The light of the sun, the freshness of the air, the earth as a carpet, the sky as a canopy, the vastness of the seas, the firmness of the mountains — all have been created for the well-being of human beings.
And one must also remember that moment when a lifeless drop, a seemingly insignificant fluid, transforms into a complete human being.
Allah Ta‘ala says:
هَلْ أَتَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْإِنسَـٰنِ حِينٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلدَّهْرِ لَمْ يَكُن شَيْـًۭٔا مَّذْكُورًۭا
“Has there not come upon man a period of time when he was nothing worth mentioning?”
(Ad-Dahr: 1)
Then, when that child grows up, he becomes engrossed in the pleasures of life, begins to forget his Benefactor, disregards His favors, and some even go so far as to deny the very existence of the Benefactor.
Allah Ta‘ala says:
إِنَّا خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ أَمْشَاجٍۢ نَّبْتَلِيهِ فَجَعَلْنَـٰهُ سَمِيعًۭا بَصِيرًا
“Indeed, We created man from a mixed drop of fluid, in order to test him; and We made him hearing and seeing.”
(Ad-Dahr: 2)
Definition of Kufr
Kufr is a term used as the opposite of Īmān (faith). In its literal sense, kufr means “to cover” or “to conceal.” In the terminology of Shari‘ah, it refers to knowingly and consciously rejecting the truth after recognizing and understanding it.
Allah Ta‘ala says:
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا سَواءٌ عَلَيْهِمْ أَأَنْذَرْتَهُمْ أَمْ لَمْ تُنْذِرْهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ (البقرہ 6)
“Indeed, those who disbelieve — it is the same for them whether you warn them or do not warn them — they will not believe.”
(Al-Baqarah: 6)
Types of Kufr
The scholars have explained various types of kufr.
Kufr of Arrogance (Kufr-e-Istikbār)
This is the type of kufr in which a person knowingly and consciously rejects Allah Ta‘ala, His Messenger ﷺ, or the fundamental teachings of Islam merely out of pride and arrogance.
Allah Ta‘ala says:
وَجَحَدُوا بِهَا وَاسْتَيْقَنَتْهَا أَنْفُسُهُمْ ظُلْمًا وَعُلُوًّا
“And they rejected them (the signs), though their souls were convinced of them, out of injustice and arrogance.”
(An-Naml: 14)
Kufr of Denial (Kufr-e-Takdhīb)
This is the type of kufr in which a person rejects any clear command revealed by Allah Ta‘ala or denies any authentic and established statement of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
For example: denying the existence of the Day of Judgment, Paradise, Hell, angels, etc.
Allah Ta‘ala says:
وَيَوْمَ نَحْشُرُ مِن كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ فَوْجًا مِّمَّن يُكَذِّبُ بِآيَاتِنَا فَهُمْ يُوزَعُونَ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا جَاؤُوا قَالَ أَكَذَّبْتُم بِآيَاتِي وَلَمْ تُحِيطُوا بِهَا عِلْمًا أَمَّاذَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ (النمل 83-84)
“And the Day when We will gather from every nation a group of those who denied Our signs, and they will be restrained in ranks, until when they come, He (Allah) will say: ‘Did you deny My signs while you did not even encompass them with knowledge? Then what was it that you used to do?’”
(An-Naml: 83–84)
Kufr of Turning Away (Kufr-e-I‘rāḍ)
Kufr of turning away means that a person is not even willing to listen to the truth, without having any valid reason for such an attitude — as if he has already made up his mind not to accept anything from the outset.
Allah Ta‘ala says:
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنْ ذُكِّرَ بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِ فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهَا
“And who is more unjust than the one who is reminded of the signs of his Lord, yet he turns away from them?”
(As-Sajdah: 22)
Kufr of Hypocrisy (Kufr-e-Nifāq)
This is the type of kufr in which a person outwardly presents himself as a believer, but inwardly remains firm upon disbelief.
Regarding the hypocrites, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“تجدون شرّ الناس ذا الوجهين، الذي يأتي هؤلاء بوجهٍ، وهؤلاء بوجهٍ” (صحیح بخاری، صحیح مسلم)
“You will find that the worst of people is the one who has two faces: he comes to some people with one face, and to others with another face.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)
Kufr of Mockery (Kufr-e-Istihzā’)
Kufr of mockery is when a person makes fun of Allah Ta‘ala, His Messenger ﷺ, the verses of the Qur’an, or any religious symbol of Islam.
Allah Ta‘ala says:
قُلْ أَبِاللَّهِ وَآيَاتِهِ وَرَسُولِهِ كُنْتُمْ تَسْتَهْزِئُونَ لَا تَعْتَذِرُوا قَدْ كَفَرْتُمْ بَعْدَ إِيمَانِكُمْ (التوبہ: 65-66)
“Say: Was it Allah, His verses, and His Messenger that you were mocking? Make no excuse — you have disbelieved after having believed.”
(At-Tawbah: 65–66)
Causes of Kufr
There can be several reasons behind kufr, such as:
1. Ignorance
Some people remain in kufr simply because they do not recognize the truth due to lack of knowledge.
Allah Ta‘ala says:
بَلْ قَالُوا إِنَّا وَجَدْنَا آبَاءَنَا عَلَىٰ أُمَّةٍ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰ آثَارِهِم مُّهْتَدُونَ (الزخرف 22)
“Rather, they said: ‘Indeed, we found our forefathers upon a way, and we are following in their footsteps, rightly guided.’”
(Az-Zukhruf: 22)
2. Arrogance and Stubbornness
Some people, despite knowing the truth, refuse to accept it due to pride and obstinacy. The kufr of Shayṭān was also of this nature.
Allah Ta‘ala says:
وَجَحَدُوا بِهَا وَاسْتَيْقَنَتْهَا أَنفُسُهُمْ ظُلْمًا وَعُلُوًّا فَانظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُفْسِدِينَ (سورۃ النمل 14)
“And they (the people of Pharaoh) rejected them (the signs) out of injustice and arrogance, though their hearts were convinced of them. So see how was the end of the corrupters.”
(An-Naml: 14)
3. Love of the World
For the sake of wealth, status, fame, or other worldly gains, some people abandon the path of faith.
Allah Ta‘ala says:
أُو۟لَٰئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱشْتَرَوُا۟ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِٱلْأخِرَةِ فَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ
“They are the ones who have purchased the worldly life at the expense of the Hereafter, so the punishment will not be lightened for them, nor will they be aided.”
(Al-Baqarah: 86)
4. Following Desires
In pursuit of their base desires, some people put aside the commands of religion, gradually slipping into kufr.
Allah Ta‘ala says:
أَفَرَءَيْتَ مَنِ ٱتَّخَذَ إِلَٰهَهُۥ هَوَىٰهُ وَأَضَلَّهُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ عِلْمٍ وَخَتَمَ عَلَىٰ سَمْعِهِۦ وَقَلْبِهِۦ وَجَعَلَ عَلَىٰ بَصَرِهِۦ غِشَٰوَةً فَمَن يَهْدِيهِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ (الجاثیہ 23)
“Have you seen the one who takes his own desires as his god? Allah has left him astray despite knowledge, and sealed his hearing and his heart, and placed a covering over his sight. So who can guide him after Allah? Will you not then take heed?”
(Al-Jāthiyah: 23)
Consequences and Harms of Kufr
Due to kufr, several severe effects impact both the individual and society. Some of them are as follows:
1. Disgrace and Humiliation in This World
Allah Ta‘ala says:
وَمَنْ يُهِنِ اللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ مُكْرِمٍ
“And the one whom Allah humiliates — there is none who can grant him honor.”
(Al-Ḥajj: 18)
2. Punishment of Hell in the Hereafter
The Qur’an repeatedly warns disbelievers of the torment of Hell.
As Allah Ta‘ala says:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَعَنَ الْكَافِرِينَ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ سَعِيرًا
“Indeed, Allah has cursed the disbelievers and has prepared for them a blazing Fire.”
(Al-Aḥzāb: 64)
3. Loss of Good Deeds
Because of kufr, all good deeds of a person are rendered void.
Allah Ta‘ala says:
وَقَدِمْنَا إِلَى مَا عَمِلُوا مِنْ عَمَلٍ فَجَعَلْنَاهُ هَبَاءً مَنْثُورًا
“And We will turn to whatever deeds they did, and We will make them as scattered dust.”
(Al-Furqān: 23)
Ways to Avoid Kufr
In order to remain safe from kufr, the following measures should be taken:
- Strengthening of Faith
It is essential to study the Qur’an and the noble Ahadith to correct and fortify one’s beliefs. - Acquiring Knowledge
By learning the religious sciences and seeking guidance from scholars who possess knowledge of the Qur’an and Ahadith, a person can remain steadfast on the right path. - Keeping the Company of Righteous People
Staying in the company of good and religious individuals protects a person from kufr and misguidance. - Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness
If a person ever commits an act of kufr, he should immediately repent sincerely before Allah Ta‘ala.
Conclusion
Kufr is the opposite of īmān, and Allah Ta‘ala has strictly commanded us to stay away from it.
It is necessary to understand its various forms and causes so that we may safeguard ourselves from it.
For the protection of faith and the success of the Hereafter, it is essential that we adopt the correct creed, perform righteous deeds, and make the recitation, understanding, and contemplation of the Qur’an a regular part of our lives. We must maintain a connection with scholars who explain the Qur’an correctly, and always strive to remember Allah Ta‘ala and the Hereafter.
May Allah Ta‘ala protect us from kufr and its consequences, and grant us steadfastness upon īmān.
Ameen.