Topic: Who is an infidel?

[Anonymous]

Hello everyone,
I'm new here.
As a westerner I grew up without any contact with Muslim people. But now as an adult, there are a lot of Muslim immigrants coming to my (adopted) country.

I'm curious about  the concept of infidels. How is an infidel defined exactly? And what is the common (Muslim) view of infidels?

Are all christians infidels? What about someone who is an athiest?

Thanks in advance for your replies.
Moira

[Anonymous]

HUhmmm: was this an inappropriate question?

No offense meant: it was a sincere question!

I grew up with Protestants, Lutherans, Jews, Baptists...basicall y Judeo-Christian, no Muslims, so, really guys, I don't know anything about Islam!!!
Moira

[Servant of Islam]

Hello Moira

As for me, I didnt reply because I didnt know what's the meaning of infidel...

I asked, and it seems that an infidel is a blasphemer, which means that he's not a Muslim

Anyone who's not a Muslim, whether he believd in another religion, or was an athiest and didnt believe in any religion, is a blasphemer.

Welcome Moira to TalkAboutIslam.com :bye:

[Servant of Islam]

I grew up with Protestants, Lutherans, Jews, Baptists...basicall y Judeo-Christian, no Muslims, so, really guys, I don't know anything about Islam!!!
Moira

You have come to the rigth place Moira, we're here to "TalkAboutIslam"

Our moderators will be happy to answer your questions, like sweet sister Eve, our brother ABDU, and ofcourse, the administrator, TalkAboutIslam maker, ABDULLAH :apl1

[Zahhaad]

The correct Islamic term is Kafir - sometimes translated as infidel, other times as blasphemer, other times as disbeliever.

It refers to anyone who blasphemes, and blasphemy is anything which negates Islam.

For example, it is Blasphemy to not believe in the Prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad, and not to believe in His Message.

It is Blasphemy to not believe in the existence of God.

It is Blasphemy to chose a religion other than the Religion of God, and this is Islam.

Blasphemy also refers to actions or beliefs or sayings that if done will eject one from the Religion of Islam and cause them to become a non-Muslim - such as cursing God, or attributing to God something which does not befit Him, or mocking any Prophet (including Prophet Jesus).

So for example, if a Muslim mocked at Prophet Jesus, he would become a blasphemer, an infidel, a non-Muslim.

So in summary, it can be said that the term infidel refers to anyone who is not a Muslim.

However, any living human who is an infidel is able to become a Muslim and to clear themselves of the infidelity.

[Servant of Islam]

And of course, our brother Zahhad can offer a big help answering your questions  

[Anonymous]

Okay: now I'm really confused!!!!!!!

"So for example, if a Muslim mocked at Prophet Jesus, he would become a blasphemer, an infidel, a non-Muslim".


Do you mean Jesus as in Jesus Christ? (Being a sort of fallen Christian, I would never mock Jesus).

Okay....I know, everyone is laughing their head off because I haven't studied my religion well enough. Duh!  

Well, when you grow up Roman Catholic and are taught by nuns, you generally don't learn anything about Islam!

I'm just now starting to learn about Islam and am very interested.

But getting back to the rather uncomfortable point: am I as a Christian lost forever and an infidel unless I become a Muslim? or, is there a lighter penalty? :w00t:
Or, do I just have to get ready for those burning fires of XXXX?

Moira the difficult.....

[Zahhaad]

First of all, yes, I meant Jesus Christ. As Muslims we believe in him as a great Prophet of God, and we are ordered to love and respect him.

If any Muslim were to mock Prophet Jesus, he would become an infidel, non-Muslim.

As Muslims, we believe that Jesus was the fourth best of ALL the Creations of God. The order is, Prophet Muhammad, Prophet Abraham, Prophet Moses, Prophet Jesus, and then Prophet Noah, in that order.

To answer the second question, as Muslims we do believe that the Christian who HEARD the message of Islam and then died without embracing it, would end up with an eternal punishment -

HOWEVER, notice that the Christian who did NOT ever hear about the message of Islam, would not go for eternity to Hell.

And the message of Islam is, that there is none worthy of worship except God, and that Muhammad is the Messenger and Prophet of God.

Whoever heard this much is obliged to accept it and what it entails.

[sweetwaterfalls]

Hello Moira :wave2

Here are a few further details with regard to your question:

The one who was accountable in this life and did not embrace Islam (I.e., become Muslim) and died like this will be punished in Hellfire without an end. They will neither die therein nor live comfortably. It is an Obligation for one who is accountable to become Muslim, by uttering the two tetifications of faith.

"Ash hadu an La ilaha illa Allah, wa ash hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasul Allah "

This may be translated to mean:

"I know, believe and declare (testify) that no one deserves to be worshipped except Allah, and I know, believe and declare that Muhammad is His Messenger"

The one who is accountable is one who fulfils 3 criteria.

These are one is:

1. Pubescent
2. Sane
3. Has heard the root of the creedal statemnet of Islam. (The shahada, as written above)

If one fulfills these 3 criteria, they are obligated to become Muslim.
If they do not become Muslim, and die as a non-Muslim (or infidel) they will fall into the bottom of hellfire and remain there forever. They will never be rescued.

The one who does not fulfill these 3 criteria is not accountable. For example, the child who died before reaching puberty.  This child will be admitted to Paradise because they were not accountable in this life. Similarly, the one who never heard about Islam; if they never heard that there is no God except Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger, they will not be accountable in the Hereafter. As is the case of the one who is insane,and dies in that state.


The one who embraces Islam and dies as a Muslim will be rescued from this everlasting punishment of Hellfire.
They will have everlasting enjoyment in Paradise, which will never end.

Islam is the only true Religion my friend.


:wave2

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone for interesting and thoughtful replies.

I am interested in the phrase:

"Similarly, the one who never heard about Islam..."

A little clarification might be in order.  I have "heard" about Islam, but have never received any kind of instruction, nor has anyone approached me and said something like:
"Let me tell you about Islam."

Then I would not be accountable?
Moira