The Term “Kufr

THE ISSUE OF KUFR AND KAFIR This shows that only after thirteen years of dawah conducted at the prophetic level did the denial of the addressees become established as a fact in the sight of God. Only at that point was it declared with certainty that their rejection had reached the level of confirmed denial. Before the completion of such a dawah process, it is not permissible to declare any individual or group to be deniers or disbelievers. And if, even after a prophetic effort lasting thirteen years, this certainty could be declared only by God Himself, then for ordinary people, even a hundred and thirteen years would be insufficient to make such a definitive judgment. The Term “Kufr” During the Meccan period, certain verses were revealed regarding non-Muslims outside of Arabia. For instance, the beginning of the Quranic chapter 30 mentions the Romans (Christians), who had been temporarily defeated by the Persians. However, the verse does not say, “The kafirs (infidels) of Rome have been defeated.” Instead, it states: “The Romans have been defeated, in a nearby land.” (30:2-3). Similarly, chapter 105 mentions Abraha, the non-Muslim ruler of Yemen. Yet, the Quran does not refer to him as “the