Infidels in the Qur’an
In Islam, an infidel is called kafir in Arabic. It is a word for someone who does not believe in Allah and Muhammad. A broad definition of kafir means that it includes all non-Muslims. The definition can have a significant impact on society because the Qur’an has a collection of verses with punishments against infidels. Jews and Christians have a special position in the Qur’an and Islam. However, for some Muslims, Jews and Christians can also be called infidels as non-Muslims.
Belief in gods other than Allah
Rejection of worship other than Allah
“And cry not, beside Allah, unto that which cannot profit thee nor hurt thee, for if thou didst so then wert thou of the wrong-doers.” (Qur’an 10:106) “And when Allah alone is mentioned, the hearts of those who believe not in the Hereafter are repelled, and when those (whom they worship) beside Him are mentioned, behold! they are glad.” (Qur’an 39:45)Disbelief in Allah
“Those in whose hearts is a disease – thou seest how eagerly they run about amongst them, saying: “We do fear lest a change of fortune bring us disaster.” Ah! Perhaps Allah will give (thee) victory, or a decision according to His will. Then will they repent of the thoughts which they secretly harboured in their hearts.” (Qur’an 5:52) “For the worst of beasts in the sight of Allah are those who reject Him: They will not believe.” (Qur’an 8:55) “And if thou ask them (O Muhammad) they will say: We did but talk and jest. Say: Was it at Allah and His revelations and His messenger that ye did scoff? Make no excuse. Ye have disbelieved after your (confession of) belief. If We forgive a party of you, a party of you We shall punish because they have been guilty.” (Qur’an 9:65-66) “This because those who reject Allah follow vanities, while those who believe follow the Truth from their Lord: Thus does Allah set forth for men their lessons by similitudes.” Forgotten by Allah” (Qur’an 47:3) “That is because they are averse to that which Allah hath revealed, therefor maketh He their actions fruitless. Do they not travel through the earth, and see what was the End of those before them (who did evil)? Allah brought utter destruction on them, and similar (fates await) those who reject Allah.“ (Qur’an 47:9-10)Hypocrites and Polytheists
“In order that Allah may separate the impure from the pure, put the impure, one on another, heap them together, and cast them into Hell. They will be the ones to have lost.” (Qur’an 8:37) “Is one whose heart Allah has opened to Islam, so that he has received Enlightenment from Allah, (no better than one hard-hearted)? Woe to those whose hearts are hardened against celebrating the praises of Allah! They are manifestly wandering (in error)!” (Qur’an 39:22) “And that He may punish the Hypocrites, men and women, and the Polytheists men and women, who imagine an evil opinion of Allah. On them is a round of Evil: the Wrath of Allah is on them: He has cursed them and got Hell ready for them: and evil is it for a destination.” (Qur’an 48:6)Disobedience to Islam
Lawlessness
“And well ye knew those amongst you who transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath: We said to them: “Be ye apes, despised and rejected.” (Qur’an 2:65) “Those who swallow usury cannot rise up save as he ariseth whom the devil hath prostrated by (his) touch. That is because they say: Trade is just like usury; whereas Allah permitteth trading and forbiddeth usury. He unto whom an admonition from his Lord cometh, and (he) refraineth (in obedience thereto), he shall keep (the profits of) that which is past, and his affair (henceforth) is with Allah. As for him who returneth (to usury) - Such are rightful owners of the Fire. They will abide therein.” (Qur’an 2:275) “Lo! We did reveal the Torah, wherein is guidance and a light, by which the prophets who surrendered (unto Allah) judged the Jews, and the rabbis and the priests (judged) by such of Allah's Scripture as they were bidden to observe, and thereunto were they witnesses. So fear not mankind, but fear Me. And barter not My revelations for a little gain. Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed: such are disbelievers.” (Qur’an 5:44) “Say: “Shall I point out to you something much worse than this, (as judged) by the treatment it received from Allah. Those who incurred the curse of Allah and His wrath, those of whom some He transformed into apes and swine, those who worshipped evil – these are (many times) worse in rank, and far more astray from the even path!”” (Qur’an 5:60) “When in their insolence they transgressed (all) prohibitions, We said to them: “Be ye apes, despised and rejected.” (Qur’an 7:166)Rejecting Muhammad and other messengers
“The messenger believeth in that which hath been revealed unto him from his Lord and (so do) believers. Each one believeth in Allah and His angels and His scriptures and His messengers - We make no distinction between any of His messengers - and they say: We hear, and we obey. (Grant us) Thy forgiveness, our Lord. Unto Thee is the journeying.” (Qur’an 2:285) “Is it that there is a disease in their hearts? Or do they doubt, or are they in fear, that Allah and His Apostle will deal unjustly with them? Nay, it is they themselves who do wrong.” Follow vanities” (Qur’an 24:50) “Lo! those who disbelieve, among the People of the Scripture and the idolaters, will abide in fire of hell. They are the worst of created beings.” (Qur’an 98:6)Rejecting the Qur’an
“They say, “Our hearts are the wrappings (which preserve Allah’s Word: we need no more).” Nay, Allah’s curse is on them for their blasphemy: Little is it they believe.” (Qur’an 2:88)Adherence to a religion other than Islam
“And whoso seeketh as religion other than the Surrender (to Allah) it will not be accepted from him, and he will be a loser in the Hereafter.” (Qur’an 3:85) “They question thee (O Muhammad) with regard to warfare in the sacred month. Say: Warfare therein is a great (transgression), but to turn (men) from the way of Allah, and to disbelieve in Him and in the Inviolable Place of Worship, and to expel His people thence, is a greater with Allah; for persecution is worse than killing. And they will not cease from fighting against you till they have made you renegades from your religion, if they can. And whoso becometh a renegade and dieth in his disbelief: such are they whose works have fallen both in the world and the Hereafter. Such are rightful owners of the Fire: they will abide therein.” (Qur’an 2:217) “Let not the believers take disbelievers for their friends in preference to believers. Whoso doeth that hath no connection with Allah unless (it be) that ye but guard yourselves against them, taking (as it were) security. Allah biddeth you beware (only) of Himself. Unto Allah is the journeying.” (Qur’an 3:28)Punishment of infidels
“They long that ye should disbelieve even as they disbelieve, that ye may be upon a level (with them). So choose not friends from them till they forsake their homes in the way of Allah; if they turn back (to enmity) then take them and kill them wherever ye find them, and choose no friend nor helper from among them,” (Qur’an 4:89) “But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practice regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Qur’an 9:5) “Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Apostle, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.” (Qur’an 9:29)
