What is Shirk and What is Kufr

What is Shirk

The Definition of shirk:

Shirk simply means to ascribe a partner (or partners) to Allah (عز و جل ) in terms of His Ruboobiyah (Lordship) and Uloohiyyah (Worship), however we will discuss this in greater detail using the Quran and Sunnah as evidence throughout the chapter inshaAllah.

The most common type of Shirk is the Shirk of ibadah (worship), in which one worships others along with Allah or dedicates to them devotional acts such as: offerings, vows, reverence, fear, hope, and love.

Shirk is the opposite of tawheed therefore the two can never co-exist. Either a person does shirk and is a Mushrik or else is a Muslim on Tawheed, understanding and implementing La ilaha illallah within their lives. The only way to do this is to know exactly what shirk is in all its apparent and hidden forms and then keep away from it.

Allah - Glory be to Him, neither accepts a good deed performed by a Mushrik, nor an intercession made in his favour. The Mushrik is the most ignorant of Allah for setting a rival from creatures to the One Who created them, which is the worst type of ignorance and the worst type of injustice on the part of the Mushrik. Even though the Mushrik wrongs his Rubb by his Shirk, in reality he wrongs none but his own self.

Shirk is the gravest of all sins that exist and carries the heaviest penalty – for the one indulges in it and dies in that state, without making sincere repentance before death approaches him. For sure, this person will reside in Hell-fire for all eternity.

In the Quran Allah (عز و جل ), the Most High constantly warns us in regards to shirk:

1. No forgiveness for the one who commits shirk:

“Surely, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He wills; and whoever sets up partners with Allah in worship, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin.” [An-Nisa 4:48]

2. A Mushrik (Polytheist) will be banned from entering Jannah (Paradise) and he shall live in Hell-fire forever:

“…Verily, whoever sets up partners with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradise to him and Hell-Fire shall be his abode, and for the wrongdoers there are no helpers.” [Al-Maidah 5:72]

3. The blood and property of a Mushrik is violable (allowed to be taken):

“Then when the Sacred Months have passed, then kill the Mushrikeen (idolaters) wherever you find them, and capture them and besiege them, and lie in wait for them in every ambush. But if they repent and perform As-Salat and give Zakat, then leave their way. Verily Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [At-Tauba 9:5]

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم ) said:
“I am commanded to fight people until they profess the testimony of Faith La ilaha illallah (there is no ilah (deity worthy of worship) but Allah) when they say it, their blood and property would be safe from me except rightfully.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari] 

4. Shirk is the gravest injustice:

“…Verily, joining others in worship with Allah is a great zulm (wrong / injustice) indeed.” [Luqman 31:13]

5. Shirk nullifies all good deeds:

“…But if they had joined in worship others with Allah, all that they used to do would have been of no benefit to them.” [Al-An’am 6:88]

And:

“And it has been revealed to you (O Muhammad) as it was to those before you: “If you join others in worship with Allah, (then) surely your deeds will be in vain, and you will certainly be amongst the losers.” [Az-Zumar 39:65]
6. Shirk is the gravest of all major sins:

Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم ) said:
“Shall I inform you about the gravest of all major sins?’ We said: ‘Certainly O Messenger of Allah.’ He said: ‘Ascribing partners to Allah, and disobeying your parents.”   

The two types of Shirk

It is important to understand how shirk has been explained in the Book of Allah and from the example of His Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم ). We find from the Quran and Sunnah that shirk comes in many different forms and some of these directly nullify ones iman where the others only nullify the deeds. This has been explained below in detail.

1. The first type:

Major or greater Shirk leads to apostasy and condemns the person who practices it to Hell-Fire for all eternity, unless he repents sincerely before death. The main aspects which this constitutes are invocation, intention, obedience and love to other than or alongside Allah (عز و جل ). A detailed explanation of this type of shirk can be found within this book, under the chapter heading (Things which nullify a Muslim’s Islam).

Fear of the dead, jinn and Satan’s that they may harm or sicken him, and hope for things from others that only Allah can provide, such as fulfilling needs and granting relief as practiced nowadays around the tombs that are built on graves of pious people. Allah (عز و جل ) says:

 “And they worship besides Allah things that hurt them not, nor profit them, and they say: “These are our intercessors with Allah. Say “Do you inform Allah of that which He knows not in the heavens and the earth?” Glorified and Exalted is He above all that they associate as partners (with Him).” [Yunus 10:18]

1. The second type:

Lesser Shirk, which does not constitute apostasy, but still defects ‘La ilaha illallah’ like greater shirk does and will be dealt in the same way by Allah as the

greater shirk does, but it is forgivable to whom Allah wills and a believer who commits this type of shirk will be punished by Allah for a certain time but not

for ever as it only invalidates the deeds but not iman as a whole. It is of two kinds:

First kind:

Obvious Shirk, which consists of utterances and actions.          

As for the Utterances, such as swearing by other than Allah. It is reported that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم ) said: “He who swears by other than Allah, commits Kufr, or Shirk.” [At-Tirmidhi & others]

Or making a statement such as: “Whatever Allah Wills and you will.”
This statement was made by a man to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم ) who objected his statement saying: “Have you set me a rival to Allah? Say, ‘Whatever Allah Alone Wills’.”

Or a statement like this: Had it not been for Allah and so and so. “The correct statements are: “Whatever Allah wills and then you will.” And ‘Had it not been for Allah then for so and so.” Because the particle ‘then’ denotes sequence as well as delay, thus to signify that the will of the created being is subservient to the Will of Allah.

“And you cannot will unless that Allah Wills- Lord of the Alamin.” [At-Takwir 81:29]

As for Actions, such as wearing a ring or a thread for the purpose of warding-off evil, or wearing talismanic outfit or other items for fear of bad eye, or otherwise, if the person who wears them believes that such things are the means of warding off evil or bringing relief. In that case, wearing them is considered as lesser Shirk, because Allah does not make these things as means of protection. But if

he believes that these things themselves ward-off evil, then such belief constitutes a major Shirk because he depends on other than Allah (عز و جل ).

The second kind:

The hidden Shirk pertains to intentions and wills - such as acting hypocritically or for fame. That is, to do a thing which is usually done as a means for seeking nearness to Allah (عز و جل ), but does it only so that people commend him for it; such as performing Salat (prayer) in a perfect manner, or giving a charitable gift to be praised, or raising his voice with the dhikr (remembrance of Allah) or reciting Qur’an for people to hear him and praise him. When an act of worship is done in Riya (showing off), it would be nullified as Allah(عز و جل ) the Exalted, says:

“…So whoever hopes for a meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.” [Al-Kahf 18:110]

It has been reported that Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم ) said:
“The thing I fear most that you may commit is the lesser Shirk. They asked, oh! Messenger of Allah, ‘what is the lesser Shirk’? ‘He said: Riya.” [Collected by Ahmed and At-Tabarani]

This category falls into doing acts of worship for worldly gains or merely showing off, such as performing Hajj, calling out the Adhan (call for prayer), leading Salat (prayer) for money or acquiring religious knowledge, or even fighting in the cause of Allah for money or fame.

It has also been narrated on the authority of Sulaiman bin Yasar who said:

“People dispersed from around Abu Hurairah and Natil, who was from the Syrians, said to him: O Shaikh, relate (to us) a tradition you have heard from the Messenger of Allah(صلى الله عليه و سلم ). He said: Yes. I heard the Messenger of Allah(صلى الله عليه و سلم ) say: The first of men (whose case) will be decided on the Day of Judgment will be a man who died as a martyr. He shall be brought (before the Judgment seat). Allah (عز و جل ) will make him recount His blessings (i.e. the blessings which He had bestowed upon him) and he will recount them (and admit having enjoyed them in his life). (Then) will Allah (عز و جل ) say: What did you do (to requite these blessings)? He will say: I fought for You until I died as a martyr. Allah (عز و جل ) will say: You have told a lie. You fought that you might be called a ‘brave warrior’. And you were called so. (Then) orders will be passed against him and he will be dragged with his face downward and cast into Hell.

Then will be brought forward a man who acquired knowledge and imparted it (to others) and recited the Quran. He will be brought and Allah(عز و جل ) will make him recount His blessings and he will recount them (and admit having enjoyed them in his lifetime). Then Allah (عز و جل ) will ask: What did you do (to requite these blessings)? He will say: I acquired knowledge and disseminated it and recited the Quran seeking Your pleasure. Allah (عز و جل ) will say: You have told a lie. You acquired knowledge so that you might be called ‘a scholar’, and you recited the Quran so that it might be said:  ‘He is a Qari’, and such has been said. Then orders will be passed against him and he shall be dragged with his face downward and cast into the Fire.

Then will be brought a man whom Allah (عز و جل ) had made abundantly rich and had granted every kind of wealth. He will be brought and Allah (عز و جل ) will make him recount His blessings and he will recount them and (admit having enjoyed them in his lifetime). Allah (عز و جل ) will (then) ask: What have you done (to requite these blessings)? He will say: I spent money in every cause in which You wished that it should be spent. Allah (عز و جل ) will say: You are lying. You did (so) that it might be said about (You): ‘He is a generous fellow’, and so it was said. Then will Allah (عز و جل ) pass orders and he will be dragged with his face downward and thrown into Hell. (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim. This narration is from Muslim - Kitab al-Imarah, Hadith Number 4688)

From this hadith, it is fully clear that even a Muslim who performs a deed to show off, will also enter the hell-fire. A very important point to understand here

is that, this hadith does not mention that he will be in the hell-fire for ever. We know from other adadeeth that Allah (عز و جل ) will even take out a person from the hell-fire (after he is punished for his sins), who has iman equal to the size of an atom (very little) but has not made any greater shirk (shirk Al-Akbar) with Allah (عز و جل ). So eventually a true Muslim will enter Al-Jannah but after being punished for his sins such as showing off to gain fame or make people happy and Allah (عز و جل ) knows best.

In contrast, sincerity is to dedicate all acts of worship and utterances and intentions sincerely to Allah (عز و جل ), and this is the genuine Hanifiyyah, the deen of Ibraheem which Allah (عز و جل ) commands all of His worshippers to follow. Allah (عز و جل ) shall not accept any other deen from anyone. It is the essence of Islam, Allah (عز و جل ), the Exalted, says:

“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him and in the hereafter he will be one of the losers.” [Al-Imran 3:85]
 
The following differences between the Greater Shirk and the Lesser Shirk are deduced from the above mentioned:

a) The greater Shirk constitutes apostasy, while the lesser Shirk does not constitute apostasy.

b) The greater Shirk condemns the one who practices it to eternal life in the Fire, whereas lesser Shirk does not.

c) The greater Shirk nullifies all good deeds, while the lesser Shirk only nullifies those deeds done in Riya or for worldly gain.

d) The greater Shirk justifies violating blood and property of the mushrik, whereas the lesser Shirk does not.

Further explanation of Shirk in the light of the Quran

1) Shirk is the height of ignorance and it wipes out all good deeds, even those of a Prophet:

“Say (O Muhammad to the polytheists): “Do you order me to worship other than Allah, O you ignorant people!” And indeed it has been revealed to you (O Muhammad), as it was to those (Messengers) before you: “If you join others in worship with Allah, (then) surely, (all) Your deeds will be in vain, and you will certainly be amongst the losers.” [Az-Zumar 39:64-65]

2) Shirk brings down man from the heights of heaven to the depths of the earth; where he continuously sinks into various evils until he is destroyed:

“...and whoever assigns partners to Allah, it is as if he had fallen from the sky, and the birds had snatched him, or the wind had thrown him to a far off place.” [Al-Hajj 22:31]

3) A Mushrik feels disgusted when the Oneness of Allah is mentioned:

“And When Allah Alone is mentioned, the hearts of those who believe not in the Hereafter are filled with disgust; and when those (whom they worship) besides Him are mentioned, behold, they rejoice!” [Az-Zumar 39:45]

4) It is forbidden to obey parents, religious scholars or spiritual preceptors if they suggest polytheistic conduct:

“And We have enjoined on man to be good and dutiful to his parents; but if they strive to make you join with Me (in worship) anything of which you

have no knowledge, then obey them not. Unto Me is your return and I shall tell you what you used to do.” [Al-Ankabut 29:8]

5) Marriage of a Muslim man or woman with a Mushrik woman or man is forbidden (exception being for the believing men in that they can marry women from the People of the Book (Christians and Jews):

“And do not marry al mushrikaat (idolatresses) until they believe. And indeed a slave woman who believes is better than a (free) mushrikah, even though she pleases you. And give not (your daughters) in marriage to al mushrikoon until they believe and verily, a believing slave is better than a mushrik even though he pleases you…” [Al-Baqarah 2:221]

6) It is forbidden to supplicate for the forgiveness of a deceased Mushrik:

“It is not (proper) for the prophet and those who believe to ask for forgiveness for the mushrikoon (polytheists), even though they be of kin, after it has become clear to them that they are the dwellers of the fire.” [At-Tauba 9:113]

7) Paradise is forbidden to a mushrik (polytheist) and he will remain in Hell for eternity:

“...But the Messiah (Iesa (Jesus)) said: "O children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.” Verily, whosoever sets up partners (in worship) with Allah, then Allah has forbidden paradise for him, and the fire will be his abode…” [Al-Ma’idah 5:72]

Also:

“Verily, those who disbelieve from among the People of the Book and among the polytheists will abide in the fire of Hell. They are the worst of creatures.” [Al-Baiyinah 98:6]

8) Some parables from the Quran to make people understand the reality of shirk (polytheism):

“O mankind! a similitude has been coined, so listen to it (carefully): Verily, those on whom you call besides Allah, cannot create (even) a fly, even though they combine together for the purpose. And if the fly snatches away a thing from them, they will have no power to release it from the fly. So weak are (both) the seeker and the sought. They have not estimated Allah His Rightful Estimate, verily; Allah is All-Strong, All Mighty.” [Al-Hajj 22:73-74]

And:

“The likeness of those who take as auliya (protectors or helpers) other than Allah is the likeness of a spider who builds a house; but verily, the weakest of houses is the spider’s house; - if they but knew.” [Al-Ankabut 29:41]

Also:

“For Him (Alone) is the Word of Truth (i.e. none has the right to be worshipped but He). And those whom they (polytheists and disbelievers) invoke, answer them no more than one who stretches forth his hand (at the edge of a deep well) for water to reach his mouth, but it reaches him not, and the invocation of the disbelievers is nothing but an error (i.e. of no use).” [Ar-Ra’d 13:14]

And:

“Allah puts forth a similitude: a (slave) man belonging to many partners (like those who worship others along with Allah) disputing with one another, and a (slave) man belonging entirely to one master, (like those who worship Allah Alone). Are those two equal in comparison? All the praises and thanks be to Allah! But most of them know not.” [Az-Zumar 39:29]

And:

“He sets forth for you a parable from your ownselves, - Do you have partners among those whom your right hands possess (i.e your slaves) to share as equals in the wealth We have bestowed on you? Whom you fear as you fear each other? Thus do We explain the signs in detail to a people who have sense.” [Ar-Rum 30:28]

And:

“Allah puts forward the example (of two men a believer and a disbeliever); a slave (disbeliever) under the possession of another, he has no power of any sort, and (the other), a man (believer) on whom We have bestowed a good provision from Us, and He spends thereof secretly and openly. Can they be equal? (By no means, not). All the praises and thanks be to Allah. Nay! (But) most of them know not. ” [An-Nahl 16:75]
9) All those whom the Mushrikeen took as partners besides Allah shall testify against them on the Day of Judgement:

“And (remember) the day, He will gather them all together, and ask the angels: “Was it you that these people used to worship?" (Angels) say: “Glory be to You! You are our wali (lord) instead of them; but they used to worship the jinns and it was them in whom most of these people believed.” [Saba 34:40-41]

And the Prophets:

“And (remember) when Allah will say (on the day of resurrection): “O Isa (Jesus) son of Maryam (Mary), Did you ever say to the people, “worship me and my mother as gods beside Allah?” he will answer: “Glory be to You! How could I say what I had no right to say? If I had ever said so, you would have certainly known it. You know what is in my heart, but I know not what is in Yours; for You have full knowledge of all the unseen. I never said

anything other than what You commanded me to say, that is to worship Allah, Who is my Rabb and your Rabb. I was a witness over them as long as I remained among them; but when You called me off, You were the Watcher over them and You are a Witness to everything.” [Al-Maidah 5:116-117]

Also:

“On the Day of Resurrection when Allah gathers the Rasools (Prophets) and asks: ‘What response were you given from your addressees?’ They will say: ‘We have no knowledge, only You have all the knowledge of the unseen’.” [Al-Maidah 5:109]

As well as the saints and virtuous:

“And On the Day, He will gather them together along with the deities whom they worshiped besides Allah, and ask: “Was it you who misled these servants of Mine, or did they choose to go astray (themselves)?” They will say: “Glory be to You! It was not befitting for us that we could take any auliya besides You, but You gave them and their forefathers comforts until

they forgot the Reminder, and thereby became worthless people.” [Al-Furqan 25:17-18]

And:

“And the Day whereon We shall gather them all together, We shall say to those who committed shirk (associated other deities with Us): “Stay where you are, you and those whom you set as partners with Us.” We will separate them from one another, then the shoraka (partners they had set up with Us) will say: “It was not us that you worshipped! So Allah is an all-sufficient witness between you and us, (even if you worshipped us) we were quite unaware of your worship.” [Yunus 10:28-29]

10) Sarcasm in regards to the plight of the Mushrikeen and their partners on the Day of Judgment:

 “It will be commanded: "Gather all the wrongdoers, their companions and those whom they used to worship besides Allah and show them the way to hell. But "But stop them, verily they are to be questioned. "What is the matter with you that you do not help each other?" Nay, but that Day they shall surrender.” [As-Saffat 37:22-26]
11) The Mushrikeen will be regretful and will profess faith upon seeing the punishment:

“So, when they saw Our punishment, they said: "We believe in Allah, the One and Only, and we reject all those deities whom we used to associate with Him." But after seeing Our punishment, their professing the faith was

of no use to them; such was the practice of Allah in dealing with His servants in the past, and thus the disbelievers lost utterly.” [Al-Ghafir 40:84-85]

12) Invitation to the Mushrikeen to reflect and ponder:

“Or have they taken (for worship) Aalihah (deities) from the earth who raise the dead? Had there been therein (the heavens and the earth) Aalihah (deities) besides Allah, then verily they would have been ruined. Glorified is Allah, the Lord of the Throne, (He is high) above all that they attribute with Him!” [Al-Anbiya 21:21-22]

And:

“Ask them (O Muhammad): “Who rescues you from the darkness of the land and the sea when you call upon Him in humility and in secret (saying): If He (Allah) only saves us from this (danger), we shall truly be grateful."
Say: “Allah delivers you from these and all other calamities, yet you commit shirk (worship false deities)!” [Al-An’am 6:63-64]

And:

“Say: "Whose is the earth and whosoever is therein? If you know!" They will say: "It is Allah's!" Say: "Will you not then remember?" Say: "Who is (the) Lord of the seven heavens, and (the) Lord of the Great Throne?" They will say: "Allah." Say: "Will you not then fear Allah?" Say "In Whose Hand is the sovereignty of everything?” And He protects (all), while against Whom there is no protector, (i.e. if Allah saves anyone none can punish or harm him, and if Allah punishes or harms anyone none can save him), if you know."  They will say: "(All that belongs) to Allah." Say: "How then are you deceived and turn away from the truth?"” [Al-Muminoon 23:84-89]

And:

“Is not He (better than your deities) Who has made the earth as a fixed abode, and has placed rivers in its midst, and has placed firm mountains therein, and has set a barrier between the two seas (of salt and sweet water). Is there any ilah (deity of worship) with Allah? Nay, but most of them know not.” [An-Naml 27:61]

Shirk in the Light of Ahadeeth

1. Shirk is the greatest sin among the Major sins:

Abdullah ibn Mas’ood (رضي الله عنه ) reports that he enquired of the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم ) as to which sin Allah considers to be worst. He (صلى الله عليه و سلم ) replied:

“That you assign partners to Allah, although He has created you.’ Abdullah then said: ‘Truly, this is the worst sin.’ He then asked which is the next worse sin after shirk. He (صلى الله عليه و سلم ) said: ‘That you kill your child fearing that they will eat away your sustenance. Abdullah then asked: ‘What next’. The Prophet of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم ): That you commit adultery with the wife of your neighbour. [Reported by Sahih Muslim]

2. A Mushrik is the biggest oppressor:

Abdullah bin Masood (رضي الله عنه ) reports that when the verse of (Al-An’am 6:82) was revealed:

“It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah and worship none but Him alone) and confuse not their belief with zulm (wrong i.e. by worshipping others besides Allah), for them (only) there is security and they are the guided.”
The companions felt dejected: They said: “Who among us has not committed oppression (sin) after declaring faith.” When the messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم ) got to know of this, he stated:
In this verse, ‘Oppression’ does not mean sin generally (but polytheism). Did you read the saying of Luqman in the Quran advising his son that polytheism is the worst Opression. [Reported by Sahih Bukhari]

3. Shirk is the sin found most painful to Allah:

Abu Moosa Al-Ashari (رضي الله عنه ) reports that the Prophet of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم ) stated:

“After hearing vexatious accusations, there is no one more tolerable than Allah. Polytheists say: Allah has progeny. Even then Allah bestows upon them and provides them sustenance.” [Reported by Al-Bukhari]

4. On the Day of Judgment Allah the All-Mighty will refuse to reward the mushrik for his good deeds:

Mahmood bin Labeed (رضي الله عنه ) reports that Prophet of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم ) stated:

“What I fear most about you all is the sin of minor shirk. The companions asked: O Prophet of Allah! What is minor shirk? The Prophet of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم ) stated: On the Day of Judgment when Allah will be rewarding the people for their deeds, (then Allah will address those who have committed the sin of minor shirk): ‘Go to the people (to receive the rewards for your good deeds) for whose show you performed (good deeds) and see what reward they offer you.” [Reported by Ahmad]

1.   Shirk is a sin destructive to man:

Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه ) reports that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم ) stated:

“Save yourselves from deadly sins. The companions asked: O Messenger of Allah what are they? The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم ) replied: To assign partners to Allah, sorcery, unnecessary killing of a life which Allah has forbidden, to usurp the property of an orphan, to charge interest, to run away from the battle field and to slander innocent, chaste women.” [Reported by Muslim]

6. The Prophet of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم ) invoked evil upon the mushrikeen (polytheists):

“Abdullah bin Masood (رضي الله عنه ) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم ) turned his face towards the Ka’ba and invoked Allah’s wrath upon six men of the Quraish, among whom were: Abu Jahl, Umayya bin Khalaf, Utba bin Rabia, Shaiba bin Rabia and Uqba bin Abu Mo’eeth. I

swear by Allah that I saw them lying slain in the battle of badr. It being a hot day, their complexion had changed (showing signs of decay).”
[Reported by Sahih Muslim]

7. The abode of a mushrik is definitely hell:

Abdullah bin Masood (رضي الله عنه ) narrated that the Prophet of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم ) said:

Any person who dies in the state that he assigned partners to Allah will enter hell.” [Reported by Sahih Bukhari]

8. Not even any near relationship with a Prophet or a Saint will save a mushrik from the fire of hell:

Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه ) reports that Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم ) said:

“On the Day of Judgment, Ibrahim (aalaissalam) will see his father Azar in the condition that his face will be black and covered with dust; consequently Ibrahim (aalaissalam) will tell him: “Did I not tell you, in the world, not to disobey me?” Azar would reply: “Right I will not disobey you this day.” Ibrahim (aalaissalam) (will beg the Lord): “O my Lord! You had promised me on the Day of Judgement you will not disgrace me, but what more disgrace is there than to see my father deprived of Your Mercy. Allah will declare: “I have Forbidden Paradise to disbelievers”. Allah will say “O Ibrahim! What is there beneath your feet?” Ibrahim will look down and see a badger covered in filth being thrown in Hell (by the angels).”
[Reported by Al-Bukhari]

9. It will not be possible for a Mushrik to leave Hell even in exchange for the world:

Anas bin Malik (رضي الله عنه ) reports that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم ) stated:

“(On the Day Of Judgment) Allah the Almighty will ask the dweller of Hell to whom the least of punishment is being meted out: “If you now have

wealth of the entire world will you pay to get yourself released from Hell?” He will say: “Yes! I will surely pay.” Allah will say: “In the world I had asked you for a far easier matter and that was not to assign any partner to Me; but you did not listen to My Word and committed Shirk.”
[Reported in Al-Bukhari]

10. It is unlawful to perform a sacrifice at a place where Shirk was known to have taken place:

Saabith bin Zahaaq (رضي الله عنه ) reports that a person during the time of the Messenger of Allah vowed to offer the sacrifice of a camel at a place called Bawana. He called on the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم ) and said: “I have a vowed to sacrifice camel on Bawana (can I do so or not)?: He (صلى الله عليه و سلم ) asked: “ Was there an idol during the days of ignorance which, was worshipped there?” The companion said “No”. Then the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم ) asked: “Was there a concourse of Mushrikeen?” The companions said: “No”. Then the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم ) stated: “ Fullfill your vow and remember it is not lawful to fulfil a vow in disobedience to the command of Allah, nor that vow which is not in the power of  a human being.” [Reported by Abu Dawud]

What is Kufr?

Definition and Types:

The word Kufr is an Arabic noun, driven from the word Kafara. Kafara is a verb meaning – erased or eliminated, covered or concealed. In the Quran it has been used to imply ‘Rejected’ and ‘Disbelieved’. Kufr is disbelieving in Allah (عز و جل ) and His Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم ). This disbelief need not be professed by the tongue, but can be in the form of doubts, suspicion, aversion, jealousy, arrogance or following such other whims which deter one from adhering to the true Message of Islam (Quran and Sunnah). Like shirk, kufr can also be done in many different ways. Allah (عز و جل ) and His Prophet have clearly outlined for the whole of mankind, how and when kufr can happen and what are the precautions that a believer must take to avoid falling into kufr. Kufr is of two types, as explained below.

The two types of Kufr:

First type:

The Major Kufr, which constitutes apostasy and is of five kinds:

1. Kufr of denial:

“And who does more wrong than he who invents a lie against Allah or denies the truth (Muhammad and his doctrine of Islamic monotheism and this

Quran) when it comes to him? Is there not a dwelling in Hell for disbelievers?” [Al-Ankabut 29:68]
2. Kufr of arrogance:

“And (remember) when We said to the angels: ‘Prostrate yourselves before Adam,’ and they all prostrated except Iblees, he refused and was proud and was one of the disbelievers.” [Al-Baqarah 2:34]

3. Kufr of doubtfulness:

“And he went into his garden while in a state (pride and disbelief) unjust to himself. He said, ‘I think not that this will ever perish; And I think not that the hour will ever come, and if indeed I am brought back to my Lord, I surely shall find better than this when I return to Him. His companion said

to him during the talk with him, ‘Do you disbelieve in Him Who created you out of dust, then out of Nutfah (mixed semen-drop of male and female discharge), then fashioned you into a man? But as for my part, (I believe) that He is Allah, my Lord, and none shall I associate as partner with my Lord.” [Al-Kahf 18:35-38]

4. Kufr of aversion:

“…But those who disbelieve turn away from that whereof they are warned.” [Al-Ahqaf 46:3]

5. Kufr of hypocrisy:

“That is because they believed, then disbelieved, therefore their hearts are sealed, so they understand not.” [Al-Munafiqun 63:3]

The Second type:

The minor Kufr or the practical Kufr, does not constitute apostasy. It comprises of sins that are referred to in the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His

Prophet(صلى الله عليه و سلم ) as Kufr, but do not reach the level of Major Kufr which would take one outside the fold of Islam. Minor kufr has been explained to us very clearly in the Quran and Sunnah and below are a few examples of when it can happen.

ONE:

Fighting of Muslims against each other, which is referred to in the Hadith of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم ):
“Reviling of the Muslim is an act of disobedience, and fighting him is Kufr.” [Reported in Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

And in his (صلى الله عليه و سلم )’s saying:
“Do not revert after me like the infidels killing each other.”
[Bukhari and Muslim]

TWO:

Likewise, swearing by other than Allah. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم ) also said:
“He who swears by other than Allah, commits an act of Kufr, or Shirk.”
[Reported by At-Tirmidhi]

THREE:

Allah(الله عز و جل ), the Exalted, has declared a Muslim who commits a major sin, as a believer, for He says:

“O you who believe, Al-Qisas (law of equality in punishment) is prescribed for you in cases of murder…” [Al-Baqarah 2:178]

Hence, Allah (عز و جل ) did not exclude the murderer from the believers; rather He referred to him as a brother:

“…But if the killer is forgiven by the brother of the killed against blood money, then adhering to it with fairness and payment of the blood money, to the heir should be made in fairness...” [Al-Baqarah 2:178]

‘Brotherhood’, which is referred to in the above Ayah, doubtlessly means brotherhood in faith. Allah(عز و جل ) - the Exalted, says:

“And if two parties of believers fight against each other, make peace between them.” [Al-Hujarat 49:9]

And if after that one of them transgresses against each other, fight the party that transgresses until it returns to the command of Allah (عز و جل ). Then if it returns, make peace between them with equality, and act justly. Verily, Allah (عز و جل ) loves the just.

“The believers are nothing else but brothers, so make peace between your brothers and fear Allah that you may receive mercy.” [Al-Hujarat 49:10]

Summary of the differences between the major and minor Kufr:

a) Major Kufr constitutes apostasy, and nullifies the good deeds. In comparison minor Kufr does not lead to apostasy nor nullifies ones good deeds, however it accumulates an increasing number of sins and subjects the one who commits it to the threatened punishment.

b) Major Kufr condemns one who commits it to an eternal abode in Hellfire. While one who commits minor Kufr, if he enters the Fire, he would not remain in it eternally. It may be that Allah forgives him, and he would not enter in it at all.

c) Major Kufr justifies violating the blood and property of the one who commits it, while the minor Kufr does not.

d) Major Kufr makes it incumbent upon the believers to treat the one who commits it with enmity. Thus, it is not permissible for the believers to love or befriend the one who commits it even if he is a very close relative.

As for the minor Kufr, it does not prevent loving and befriending him at all. Rather, he should be befriended proportionately to the Iman he possesses and be detested proportionately to the disobedience he commits.

Further explanation of Kufr and Kaafir
 

It is also very important to understand that there is a difference between a muslim doing kufr to the one outside the fold of islam doing kufr. This has been explained to us by Allah (عز و جل ) and His Prophet very clearly and will be discussed and clarified further inshaAllah.

The one who does major kufr is a kaafir which is the opposite of Muslim. In His Book Allah (عز و جل ) has clearly informed all of mankind about the events that will take place after the life of this world ends:
(a) Either a person will have the pleasure of Paradise or
(b) The torment of hell fire.

Before studying these proofs we must keep in mind the following ayat regarding the intensity of the Fire prepared for a kaafir. This is so that one can really fear and be afraid to be thrown into it. Allah (عز و جل ) says:

“…Then fear (be away) from the fire, fuel of which will be mankind & stones, which (fire) has been prepared for Kaafireen (Disbelievers / Rejecters).” [Al-Baqarah 2:24]

Also Allah (عز و جل ) says:

“O you who believe! Ward off from yourselves and your families a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allah, but do that which they are commanded.” [At-Tahrim 66:6]
The main point which we need to focus upon is the fuel of the Fire being ‘men and stones’. Allah (عز و جل ) informed us that stones are one of the fuels of the Fire – not things like coal or wood which we are accustomed to in this life. The significance of this is that stones would have a much greater burning point so, What will be the intensity of that fire? How many degrees of centigrade or Fahrenheit would it be? Can anyone really imagine a fire which will be fuelled by stones? In reality it will be an extreme heat which one cannot imagine. It is a very strong warning for all of the mankind and only, men of understanding and who Allah (عز و جل ) guides can work to save themselves from this.

Can one afford to be the fuel of such fire? The answer should be – No. Then know and understand what kufr is and keep away from it as Allah’s words are the truth and whatever we are told by Allah (عز و جل ) and His Prophet is bound to happen.

The first Kufr was done by Iblees (Shaitan - who is a jinn). He disobeyed Allah’s order:

“And we said (commanded) to Malaikah to prostrate yourself for Adam (before Adam) and they all prostrated except Iblees, he refused and did pride and was from the Kafireen (disbelievers).” [Al-Baqarah 2:34]

Like Shirk, Kufr can also be done in many different ways and below we have tried to explain some of the important points in regards to Major Kufr from the Quran:

1) Kufr of hiding the truth and doing trade with Allah’s Ayat:

Allah (عز و جل ) says:

 “Verily, those who conceal the clear proofs, evidences and the guidance, which We have sent down, after We have made it clear for the people in the Book, they are the ones cursed by Allâh and cursed by the cursers. Except

those who repent and do righteous deeds, and openly declare (the truth which they concealed). These, I will accept their repentance. And I am the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful. Verily, those who disbelieve, and die while they are disbelievers, it is they on whom is the Curse of Allah and of the angels and of mankind, combined. They will abide therein (under the curse in Hell), their punishment will neither be lightened, nor will they be reprieved.” [Al-Baqarah 2:159-162]

Also:

“Verily, those who conceal what Allah has sent down of the Book, and purchase a small gain therewith (of worldly things), they eat into their bellies nothing but fire. Allah will not speak to them on the Day of Resurrection, nor purify them, and theirs will be a painful torment. Those are they who have purchased error at the price of Guidance, and torment at the price of Forgiveness. So how bold they are (for evil deeds which will push them) to the Fire.” [Al-Baqarah 2:174-175]

2) Kufr of rejecting Ayat:

“Verily those who reject the Ayat of Allah, for them are the severe torment and Allah is All-Mighty, All-Able of Retribution.” [Al-Imran 3:4]

3) Kufr of being a Hypocrite:

 “And nothing prevents their contributions from being accepted from them except that they disbelieved in Allah and in His Messenger (Muhammad SAW); and that they came not to As-Salat (the prayer) except in a lazy state; and that they offer not contributions but unwillingly.” [At-Tauba 9:54]

4) Kufr of not believing or doubting in the hour:

“Those who disbelieve say: "The Hour will not come to us." Say: "Yes, by my Lord, it will come to you.” [Saba 34:3]

Also:

“And he went into his garden while in a state (of pride and disbelief) unjust to himself. He said: ‘I think not that this will ever perish.’ ‘And I think not the Hour will ever come, and if indeed I am brought back to my Lord, (on the Day of Resurrection), I surely shall find better than this when I return to Him.’ His companion said to him, during the talk with him: ‘Do you disbelieve in Him Who created you out of dust (i.e. your father Adam), then

out of Nutfah (mixed semen drops of male and female discharge), then fashioned you into a man?’ ‘But as for my part (I believe) that He is Allah, my Lord and none shall I associate as partner with my Lord’.” [Al-Kahf 18:35-38]

5) Kufr of being an enemy of Allah, His Messenger and His Angels:

“Whoever is an enemy to Allah and His Malaikah and His Messenger and Gabriel and Mikael, then verily Allah is an enemy to the Kaafireen (disbelievers).” [Al-Baqarah 2:98]
6) Kufr of learning and practicing Magic:

“They followed what the Shayateen (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman. Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayateen (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut, but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)." And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their ownselves, if they but knew.”  [Al-Baqarah 2:102]

7) Kufr of seeking Justice from Taghoot:

“Have you seen those who claim that they believe in that which has been sent down to you, and that which was sent down before you, and they wish to go for judgement (in their disputes) to the Taghoot while they have been ordered to reject them. But shaitan wishes to lead them far astray.” [An-Nisa 4:60]

8) Kufr of not doing (and not taking) Judgement of/with that which has been sent down by Allah:

“…And those who do not do judgement with that (what) sent down by Allah, then they are Kafiroon (disbelievers).” [Al-Maidah 5:44]

9) Kufr of not rejecting the Taghoot:

“…And they wish to go for judgement to the Taghoot while they have been ordered to reject them…” [An-Nisa 4:60]
Also:

“There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the right path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever rejects Taghoot and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All-Hearer All-Knower.” [Al-Baqarah 2:256]

10) Kufr of causing division in the Muslim Ummah after seeing the clear proofs from Allah:

Allah (عز و جل ) says:

“And be not as those who divided and differed among themselves after the clear proofs had come to them. It is they for whom there is an awful torment. On the Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) when some faces will become white and some faces will become black; as for those whose faces will become black (to them will be said): “Did you reject Faith after accepting it? Then taste the torment (in Hell) for rejecting Faith.” [Al-Imran 3:105-106]

Also:

“How shall Allah guide a people who disbelieved after their belief and after they bore witness that the Messenger (Muhammad) is true and after clear proofs had come unto them? And Allah guides not the people who are Zalimoon (polytheists and wrong-doers). They are those whose recompense is that on them (rests) the Curse of Allah, of the angels, and of all mankind. They will abide therein (Hell). Neither will their torment be lightened, nor will it be delayed or postponed (for a while). Except for those who repent after that and do righteous deeds. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Verily, those who disbelieved after their Belief and then went on increasing in their disbelief (i.e. disbelief in the Quran and in Prophet

Muhammad) - never will their repentance be accepted (because they repent only by their tongues and not from their hearts). And they are those who are astray. Verily, those who disbelieved, and died while they were disbelievers, the (whole) earth full of gold will not be accepted from anyone of them even if they offered it as a ransom. For them is a painful torment and they will have no helpers.” [Al-Imran 3:86-91]