Branches of Kufr

Definition of Kufr

Kufr means to cover something up; hence the farmer is kaafir because he covers up with the seed (bizra). The proof for this is where Allah says in the Qur’aan: “…like the example of crops, it is for those Zurrah impressed with the fruit which come out…” (EMQ Al-Hadeed, 57: 20)

He calls them kuffar and here he is talking about the farmer. The kaafir is called kaafir because he covers up the ni’aam (blessings) of Allah (SWT) or he denies it. The blessings of Allah are part of his signs and that which proves his existence and which motivates mankind to submit to the creator exclusively. The first ni’ma he covers is to not speak the truth and the verses which have been revealed in order to submit to the creator. He denies and conceals the fitrah (the natural disposition) just like we call the Farmer kaafir because he covers the seeds.

Remember that ta’reef (definition) of kufr: That which negates and opposes Eemaan.

Kufr akbar (major kufr):

Does kufr akbar takes a person out of the millah of Islam? In general, yes it does, however this is not very accurate as we are speaking about kufr and not apostasy. Every ridda (apostasy) is kufr but not vice versa as the kuffar asliheen (original kaafir i.e. a Christian) are not apostates. Hence the definition of kufr akbar is: The kufr which prevents a person to give him the attributes of Islaam and its sanctity or immunity. It is better for kufr akbar to concentrate on the first part. shirk akbar (major shirk) is also kufr akbar. If someone loses their sanctity, his life and property will also have no sanctity.

The difference between kufr akbar and apostasy is that both in the dunya will have special rules, those related to the kaafir asli (original kaafir) and those related to the apostate, but both in the hereafter have the same destiny – i.e. Hell-fire forever, the worst destiny. No one has the right to intercede for him (whether he be kaafir, mushrik or munaafiq). Those who attribute themselves to the Salaf confuse this topic.

Al-Kufrun Bawaah (explicit kufr) or Kufr I’tiqaadi (kufr in belief) are all Kufr Akbar.

Examples from the Qur’aan:

And (remember) when Ibrâhim (Abraham) said, "My Lord, make this city (Makkah) a place of security and provide its people with fruits, such of them as believe in Allâh and the Last Day." He (Allâh) answered: "As for him who disbelieves, I shall leave him in contentment for a while, then I shall compel him to the torment of the Fire, and worst indeed is that destination!" (EMQ Al-Baqarah, 2: 126)

Surely, in disbelief are they who say that Allâh is the Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary). (EMQ Al-Maaidah, 5: 17)

This explicitly indicates the one who commits kufr akbar is kaafir.

Surely, disbelievers are those who said: "Allâh is the third of the three (in a Trinity)." But there is no ilâh (god) (none who has the right to be worshipped) but One Ilâh (God - Allâh). And if they cease not from what they say, verily, a painful torment will befall the disbelievers among them. (EMQ Al-Maaidah, 5: 73)

Regarding those who reject and do not want to follow:

But those who disbelieve and belie Our Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) such are the dwellers of the Fire, they shall abide therein forever. (EMQ Al-Baqarah, 2: 39)

Verily, those who disbelieve, and die while they are disbelievers, it is they on whom is the Curse of Allâh 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. (EMQ Al-Baqarah, 2: 161-162)

The 19 shu’ub al-kufr (19 branches of kufr):

Always remember them so that you will never commit kufr and become kaafir

Kufr At-takdheeb – to disbelieve

…Who is more Zaalim (oppressor) then the one who lies about Allah or disbelieves in what Allah say? Is there not enough space for the kaafir in jahannam? (EMQ Al-‘Ankaboot, 29: 68]

Kufr Al-Ibaa-a – The kufr of rejecting

And when We said to the angels: Make obeisance to Adam they did obeisance, but Iblis (did it not). He refused (aba-a) and he was proud, and he was one of the unbelievers. (EMQ Al-Baqarah, 2: 34)

They have taken a small price for the communications of Allah, so they turn away from His way; surely evil is it that they do. (EMQ At-Tawbah, 9: 9)

And certainly We have explained for men in this Qur’aan every kind of similitude, but most men do not consent to aught but denying. (EMQ Al-‘Israa, 17: 89)

Kufr Al-Juhood – kufr of denying

‘…Allah know that it makes you sad what they say, they do not disbelieve in what you say (i.e. call you a liar) but those people deny the signs of Allah…’ (EMQ Al-An‘aam, 6: 33-34)

‘…And the inmates of the fire shall call out to the dwellers of the garden, saying: Pour on us some water or of that which Allah has given you. They shall say: Surely Allah has prohibited them both to the Kaafir, those who took their own Deen as a Joke and played with the Deen and were misled by temptations of the dunya…’ (EMQ Al-A’araaf, 7: 50-51)

‘…nobody has Juhood (deny the ayat) except the Kaafir…’ (EMQ Al-‘Ankaboot, 29: 47)

‘…And they denied them unjustly and proudly while their soul had been convinced of them; consider, then how was the end of the mischief-makers...’ (EMQ An-Naml, 27: 14)

This verse talks about the way the Jews denied the Prophet-hood of Muhammad (saw) and yet had yaqeen (conviction) in their hearts (as he fit the description mentioned in their Torah).

And when a wave like mountains covers them they call upon Allah, being sincere to Him in obedience, but when He brings them safe to the land, some of them follow the middle course; and none denies Our signs but every perfidious, ungrateful one. (EMQ Luqmaan, 31: 32)

Kufr Al-I’iraad – kufr of turning your back

‘…We did not create the heavens and the earth and what is between them two save with truth and (for) an appointed term; and those who disbelieve turn aside from what they are warned of.…’ (EMQ Al-Ahqaaf, 46: 3)

Thus do We relate to you (some) of the news of what has gone before; and indeed We have given to you a Reminder from Ourselves. Whoever turns aside from it, he shall surely bear a burden on the day of resurrection. Abiding in this (state), and evil will it be for them to bear on the day of resurrection. (EMQ Taa Haa, 20: 99-101)

And who is more unjust than he who is reminded of the communications of his Lord, then he turns away from them and forgets what his two hands have sent before? Surely We have placed veils over their hearts lest they should understand it and a heaviness in their ears; and if you call them to the guidance, they will not ever follow the right course in that case. (EMQ Al-Kahf, 18: 57)

Kufr Al-Mukhaada’ah - the one of deceiving (they say they are Muslim but they are kaafir inside)

‘…And there are some people who say: We believe in Allah and the last day; and they are not at all believers.

They desire to deceive Allah and those who believe, and they deceive only themselves and they do not perceive…’ (EMQ Al-Baqarah, 2: 8-9)

‘…Surely the hypocrites strive to deceive Allah, and He shall requite their deceit to them, and when they stand up to prayer they stand up sluggishly; they do it only to be seen of men and do not remember Allah save a little…’ (EMQ An-Nisaa’, 4: 142)

Kufr Al-Istih’zaa: kufr of mocking

And if you should question them, they would certainly say: We were only idly discoursing and sporting. Say: Was it at Allah and His communications and His Messenger that you mocked? Do not make excuses; you have denied indeed after you had believed; if We pardon a party of you, We will chastise (another) party because they are guilty. (EMQ At-Tawbah, 9: 65-66)

And indeed He has revealed to you in the Book that when you hear Allah's communications disbelieved in and mocked at do not sit with them until they enter into some other discourse; surely then you would be like them; surely Allah will gather together the hypocrites and the unbelievers all in hell. (EMQ An-Nisaa’, 4: 140)

And if they break their oaths after their agreement and (openly) revile your religion, then fight the leaders of unbelief-- surely their oaths are nothing-- so that they may desist. (EMQ At-Tawbah, 9: 12)

Kufr At-Takkabur: kufr of arrogance

Aye! My communications came to you, but you rejected them, and you were proud and you were one of the unbelievers. (EMQ Az-Zumar, 39: 59)

Kufr Al-‘Inaad – kufr of being stubborn

‘…throw in hellfire all those stubborn kaafirs…’ (EMQ Qaaf, 50: 24)

‘…But Firon disobeyed the messenger, so We laid on him a violent hold…’ (EMQ Al-Muzzammil, 73: 16)

Kufr Ash-Shirku bil Ruboobiyyah or Al-uluhiyyah or Ash-Shirku Billah – kufr in any of Allah’s names and attributes or right to be worshipped exclusively (to associate partners with Allah)

For Ruboobiyyah

Certainly they disbelieve who say: Surely Allah, He is the Messiah, son of Marium; and the Messiah said: O Children of Israel! serve Allah, my Lord and your Lord. Surely whoever associates (others) with Allah, then Allah has forbidden to him the garden, and his abode is the fire; and there shall be no helpers for the unjust. (EMQ Al-Maaidah, 5: 72)

Being upright for Allah, not associating aught with Him and whoever associates (others) with Allah, it is as though he had fallen from on high, then the birds snatch him away or the wind carries him off to a far-distant place. (EMQ Al-Hajj, 22: 31)

And We did not do them injustice, but they were unjust to themselves, so their gods whom they called upon besides Allah did not avail them aught when the decree of your Lord came to pass; and they added but to their ruin. (EMQ Al-Hood, 11: 101)

By Allah! we were certainly in manifest error, When we made you equal to the Lord of the worlds (EMQ Ash-Shu’araa, 26: 97-98)

Say: He, Allah, is One. Allah is He on Whom all depend. He begets not, nor is He begotten. And none is like Him. (EMQ Soorah Al-Ikhlaas, 112)

For Shirk ul-uluhiyyah we also have:

Surely Allah does not forgive that anything should be associated with Him, and He forgives what is besides this to whom He pleases; and whoever associates anything with Allah, he indeed strays off into a remote error. (EMQ An-Nisaa’, 4: 116)

Surely Allah does not forgive that anything should be associated with Him, and forgives what is besides that to whomsoever He pleases; and whoever associates anything with Allah, he devises indeed a great sin. (EMQ An-Nisaa’, 4: 48)

For shirk of al-asma wa al-sifaat (names and attributes)

Who made the earth a resting place for you and the heaven a canopy and (Who) sends down rain from the cloud then brings forth with it subsistence for you of the fruits; therefore do not set up rivals to Allah while you know (EMQ Al-Baqarah, 2: 22)

Kufr Shafaa’ah – kufr of intercession, when people ask someone to intercede for him

And who is more unjust than he who forges a lie against Allah? These shall be brought before their Lord, and the witnesses shall say: These are they who lied against their Lord. Now surely the curse of Allah is on the unjust. (EMQ Yoonus, 10: 18)

Kufr Al-Dua - kufr of supplication

This is because Allah is the Truth, and that which they call upon besides Him is the falsehood, and that Allah is the High, the Great. (EMQ Luqmaan, 31: 30)

Now, surely, whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is Allah's; and they do not (really) follow any associates, who call on others besides Allah; they do not follow (anything) but conjectures, and they only lie (EMQ Yoonus, 10: 66)

To Him is due the true prayer; and those whom they pray to besides Allah give them no answer, but (they are) like one who stretches forth his two hands towards water that it may reach his mouth, but it will not reach it; and the prayer of the unbelievers is only in error. (EMQ Ar-Ra’ad, 13: 14)

And those whom they call on besides Allah have not created anything while they are themselves created; Dead (are they), not living, and they know not when they shall be raised (EMQ An-Nahl, 16: 20-21)

And who is in greater error than he who calls besides Allah upon those that will not answer him till the day of resurrection and they are heedless of their call? And when men are gathered together they shall be their enemies, and shall be deniers of their worshipping (them). (EMQ Al-Ahqaaf, 46: 5-6)

He causes the night to enter in upon the day, and He causes the day to enter in upon the night, and He has made subservient (to you) the sun and the moon; each one follows its course to an appointed time; this is Allah, your Lord, His is the kingdom; and those whom you call upon besides Him do not control a straw. If you call on them they shall not hear your call, and even if they could hear they shall not answer you; and on the resurrection day they will deny your associating them (with Allah); and none can inform you like the One Who is Aware (EMQ Faatir, 35: 13-14)

Kufr Adh-Dhabih bi Ghairillah- kufr of slaughtering for other than Allah

So pray unto thy Lord, and sacrifice. (EMQ Al-Kawthar, 108: 2)

And do not eat of that on which Allah's name has not been mentioned, and that is most surely a transgression; and most surely the Shaitans suggest to their friends that they should contend with you; and if you obey them, you shall most surely be polytheists. (EMQ Al-An‘aam, 6: 121)

Kufr Al-Nadheer bi Ghairillah - to make oath to different then Allah

They fulfil vows and fear a day the evil of which shall be spreading far and wide. (EMQ Al-Insaan, 76: 7)

Kufr Al-Qiyaamu bi Ghairillah: to stand for other than Allah

Qiyyam, Ruku’ and Sujood are the Haq of Allah (SWT).

And there are some among men who take for themselves objects of worship besides Allah, whom they love as they love Allah, and those who believe are stronger in love for Allah and O, that those who are unjust had seen, when they see the chastisement, that the power is wholly Allah's and that Allah is severe in requiting (evil). (EMQ Al-Baqarah, 2: 165)

And they set up equals with Allah that they may lead (people) astray from His path. Say: Enjoy yourselves, for surely your return is to the fire. (EMQ Al-Ibraaheem, 14: 30)

The day on which men shall stand before the Lord of the worlds (EMQ Al-Mutaffifeen, 83: 6)

Kufr Edi’ah Al-Ghaib - to claim to know the unseen

Say: As for him who remains in error, the Beneficent Allah will surely prolong his length of days, until they see what they were threatened with, either the punishment or the hour; then they shall know who is in more evil plight and weaker in forces. And Allah increases in guidance those who go aright; and ever-abiding good works are with your Lord best in recompense and best in yielding fruit. Have you, then, seen him who disbelieves in Our communications and says: I shall certainly be given wealth and children? Has he gained knowledge of the unseen, or made a covenant with the Beneficent Allah? By no means! We write down what he says, and We will lengthen to him the length of the chastisement. And We will inherit of him what he says, and he shall come to Us alone. And they have taken gods besides Allah, that they should be to them a source of strength; By no means! They shall soon deny their worshipping them, and they shall be adversaries to them. Do you not see that We have sent the Shaitans against the unbelievers, inciting them by incitement? Therefore be not in haste against them, We only number out to them a number (of days). The day on which We will gather those who guard (against evil) to the Beneficent Allah to receive honours (EMQ Maryam, 19: 75-85)

Or, Who originates the creation, then reproduces it and Who gives you sustenance from the heaven and the earth. Is there a god With Allah? Say: Bring your proof if you are truthful. Say: No one in the heavens and the earth knows the unseen but Allah; and they do not know when they shall be raised. (EMQ An-Naml, 27: 64-65)

Kufr Al-Kadhib Al-Allah - the one who lies about Allah e.g. he says that Allah or Muhammad (saw) said something but they did not

Then whoever fabricates a lie against Allah after this, these it is that are the unjust. Say: Allah has spoken the truth, therefore follow the religion of Ibrahim, the upright one; and he was not one of the polytheists. (EMQ Aali ‘Imraan, 3: 94-95)

‘…And who is more unjust than he who forges a lie against Allah or (he who) gives the lie to His communications; surely the unjust will not be successful. And on the day when We shall gather them all together, then shall We say to those who associated others (with Allah): Where are your associates whom you asserted? Then their excuse would be nothing but that they would say: By Allah, our Lord, we were not polytheists. See how they lie against their own souls, and that which they forged has passed away from them…’ (EMQ Al-An’aam, 6: 21-24)

And who is more unjust than he who forges a lie against Allah and he is invited to Islam, and Allah does not guide the unjust people. (EMQ As-Saff, 61: 7)

Say: Tell me what Allah has sent down for you of sustenance, then you make (a part) of it unlawful and (a part) lawful. Say: Has Allah commanded you, or do you forge a lie against Allah? And what will be the thought of those who forge lies against Allah on the day of resurrection? Most surely Allah is the Lord of grace towards men, but most of them do not give thanks. (EMQ Yoonus, 10: 59-60)

Kufr At-Tahreef - the one of distortion also known as the Kufr of Zandaqah, to change the ayat from what it means.

Do you then hope that they would believe in you, and a party from among them indeed used to hear the Word of Allah, then altered it after they had understood it, and they know (this). (EMQ Al-Baqarah, 2: 75)

Of those who are Jews (there are those who) alter words from their places and say: We have heard and we disobey and: Hear, may you not be made to hear! and: Raina, distorting (the word) with their tongues and taunting about religion; and if they had said (instead): We have heard and we obey, and hearken, and unzurna it would have been better for them and more upright; but Allah has cursed them on account of their unbelief, so they do not believe but a little (EMQ An-Nisaa’, 4: 46)

Kufr Al-Riyya - showing off, to pray or do da’wah for the people not for Allah

All the ayat of nifaaq are evidence for this type of kufr, but the best is:

Have you considered him who calls the judgement a lie? That is the one who treats the orphan with harshness, And does not urge (others) to feed the poor. So woe to the praying ones, Who are unmindful of their prayers, Who do (good) to be seen, And withhold the necessaries of life. (EMQ Al-Maa’oon, 107)

Kufr An-Nifaaq – kufr of hypocrisy

Nay! those who disbelieve give the lie to the truth. (EMQ Al-Inshiqaaq, 84: 22]

Nay! those who disbelieve are in (the act of) giving the lie to the truth (EMQ Al-Burooj, 85: 19)

Surely the hypocrites are in the lowest stage of the fire and you shall not find a helper for them (EMQ An-Nisaa’, 4: 145)

Allah has promised the hypocritical men and the hypocritical women and the unbelievers the fire of hell to abide therein; it is enough for them; and Allah has cursed them and they shall have lasting punishment. (EMQ At-Tawbah, 9: 68)