In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful

The difference between Kufr in the tanween and alif laam forms

By Shaykh Saalih bin Abdul-Azeez ala shaykh may Allah preserve him

The shaykh says in his explanation of Imaam Nawawi’s Arba’een Nawaweeyah under the 3rd hadith:

If the word “Kufr” (disbelief) comes in the texts (Qur’an and Hadith) then it takes the meaning of one of the two:

First: if it is indefinite (Tanween) and not definite (Alif Laam), then it will take the meaning of Minor Disbelief/Kufr Asghar (which means that it does not take one out of Islaam).

Second: if it is definite (Alif Laam) then it will take the meaning of: Major Disbelief/Kufr Akbar (which means that it does take one out of Islaam), or it can take the meaning of one of the types of Kufr.

An example of the first type is the statement of the Messenger (peace be upon him):

اثنتان في الناس هما بهم كفر‏:‏ الطعن في النسب، والنياحة على الميت

“Two matters are signs of disbelief on the part of those who indulge in them: Defaming and speaking evil of a person’s lineage, and wailing over the dead.” [Muslim, narrated by Abu Hurayrah]

and he said:

لاَ تَرْجِعُوا بَعْدِي كُفَّارًا، يَضْرِبُ بَعْضُكُمْ رِقَابَ بَعْضٍ

“Do not revert to disbelief after me by striking (cutting) the necks of one another.” [Muslim, narrated by Jareer]

Translated by: Michael AbdusSalaam Deonarain

الفقير الى الله