By Harith A.R.
Edited by Harith Syafiee
Al-Qur’an contains many amazing verses and surahs that shape the nature of humans and instil great characteristics that make us true Muslims. Until these modern days, al-Qur’an itself is still relevant in tackling the contemporary issues that humanity is currently facing, especially in the context of the globalised modern world. Jumping into the bandwagon with the entertainment world has led to some of us ridiculing ourselves and endangering our faith by practising certain things that may harm our iman, as seen on social media, where some may sacrifice their religion for worldly desires in the name of fame and money.
Facts About Surah Al-Kafirun
This surah was revealed in Mecca; hence it is categorised as one of the Makiyyah surahs. It is also the 109th chapter in the al-Qur’an and consists of only six short but powerful verses. The name of the surah is self-explanatory and refers to the disbelievers of Islam, but the reason behind its revelation is what we will be discussing today. The surah contains 28 words and 98 letters in total. It also has 18 unique words without repetition. The surah was revealed approximately in 613-620 A.D.
The Theme of the Surah
The theme of this surah is about the unwavering and firm belief of the Prophet against idolatry and his stance of not giving up on Islam for mere worldly desires.
The surah continues to be a fundamental teaching in the Islamic faith by emphasising the Oneness of Allah, or what we refer to as Tauhid, which is one of the important pillars in the six pillars of iman. It emphasises rejecting any form of teaching or practice that possesses elements that can lead to idolatry and polytheism. It reminds Muslims not to associate Allah the Almighty with fake and inauthentic gods or idols.
Surah al-Kafirun in the al-Qur’an
Reason Behind the Revelation
The reason why this surah was revealed, or the asbab al-nuzul behind this, is in response to some of the nobles among the Quraysh idolaters who were threatened by the Prophet’s presence and the spread of Islam within the continent, which they consider to be endangering their position as absolute rulers. They decided to offer him plentiful wealth and women, as well as proposing to the Prophet to compromise his belief by worshipping their gods, which are al-Lat and al-’Uzzah, for a year, and they will worship his God (Allah the Almighty) in return for a year.
These idolaters also want the Prophet to stop criticising and calling their gods false. Allah the Almighty then responded to those disbelievers by delivering this chapter of al-Qur’an to the Prophet, who tells the nonbelievers:
قُلْ ي أَيُّهَا الْكَفِرُونَ
Say (Prophet Muhammad), ‘Disbelievers:
لَآ أَعْبُدُ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ
I do not worship what you worship,
وَ لَآ أَنتُمْ عَٰبِدُونَ مَآ أَعْبُدُ
You do not worship what I worship,
وَ لَآ أَنَا۠ عَابِدٌ مَّا عَبَدتُّمْ
I will never worship what you worship,
وَ لَآ أَنتُمْ عَٰبِدُونَ مَآ أَعْبُدُ
You will never worship what I worship,
لَكُمْ دِينُكُمْ وَلِىَ دِينِ
You have your religion and I have mine.’
Therefore, this surah teaches us Muslims to never compromise our religion and identity, which is a noble part of ourselves. If we give up our religion, we give up our identity and tarnish ourselves in the worst way possible, which is idolatry. We are taught to be tolerant of other religions, as long as our belief is not threatened in any way. We must purify our hearts and faith and never sacrifice them for any worldly desires that are temporary and insignificant in the Hereafter.
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