Note: This is post #20 in our series on Tafseer of Juz ‘Amma (click the link to see all posts in this series).
In Surah Kafiroon, Allah says:
قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ
لَا أَعْبُدُ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ
وَلَا أَنتُمْ عَابِدُونَ مَا أَعْبُدُ
وَلَا أَنَا عَابِدٌ مَّا عَبَدتُّمْ
وَلَا أَنتُمْ عَابِدُونَ مَا أَعْبُدُ
لَكُمْ دِينُكُمْ وَلِيَ دِينِ
Translation: Say, “O disbelievers, I do not worship what you worship. Nor are you worshippers of what I worship. Nor will I be a worshipper of what you worship. Nor will you be worshippers of what I worship. For you is your religion, and for me is my religion.” [Surah Kafiroon]
The mushrikeen (polytheists) of Mecca tried many, many different techniques to get the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) to stop spreading Islam.
Before this ayah was revealed, they decided to make a pact with him. They said, “Look, how about this–you worship our gods for one year, and we’ll worship your God for one year.” And to sweeten the deal: “And, we’ll go first.”
And they applied the Broken Record technique. Whenever the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) would try to speak to them about Islam, they would only repeat this.
And he, salallahu alayhi wa sallam, refused.
Those of you who are wondering why–although it seems on the surface like a fair trade, it’s not. Allah does not forgive shirk, worshipping other than him; not even a single sujood, or a single du’a, none of it is acceptable.
So clearly, this is not a contract the Messenger of Allah could engage with. So he refused.
And he refused.
And he refused.
Then, the Mushrikeen said, “ok, how about this–just speak highly of our gods, and we’ll do the same for you.” A smaller compromise.
And whenever people approached them, they would say, “Well, we’re trying to compromise (like we’re the good ones in this deal–even though we kill our daughters and murder on whims and …), but he’s not agreeing.”
So the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) went to the ka’bah.
Mushrikeen were there. And in front of everybody he said:
Qul, yaa ayyuhaal-kaafiroon …
Say, O you people who disbelieve. And the root verb of kafiroon is kafara, which means to be ungrateful. It’s not a nice word. It’s an ugly word. They don’t like being called kaafir.
So don’t be shy! the Messenger of Allah did this, in front of everybody! He didn’t pull any punches! We shouldn’t be embarrassed as Muslims–what’s the worst someone will do? Make fun of you? So then, O Muslim, why are you embarrassed to give The Message to those who are showing interest in it?
Allah has commanded each and every human being to stick their forehead to the ground and worship Him alone. Not just the Muslims. Everybody. It’s from the great honour and nobility of the Muslims that we do what we were created to do.
And about what Allah revealed? Here’s what it means:
- Verse 2: I’m not worshipping what you’re worshipping. (Fi’l Mudaari’–present/future tense).
- Verse 3: And you don’t worship what I worship.
- Verse 4: And I will never worship what you worship.
- Verse 5: And you will never worship what I worship.
- Verse 6: To you is your deen, and to me is my deen.
And deen, commonly translated as religion, doesn’t mean religion; it means your entire way of life, everything from how you eat and drink to clothes you wear to interaction with parents, children, schoolmates, everything.
And after this, the mushrikeen gave up their technique; they realized that it’s not going to work.
Wallahu ta’ala ‘alam.
This surah is also called Surah Tawheed, the surah of oneness (of Allah). It’s a very powerful surah.
Action Items:
- Don’t be embarrased. Realize that you have nothing to be embarrased about. And if Allah guides one person through you, that’s better than ANYTHING you can imagine.
- Share your stories. What stories do you have of embarrassment, and of da’wah turning out right?
References:
Touched by an Angel: Tafseer of Juz ‘Amma. By Muhammad Alshareef. 2009.
When I just joined my new company, I had the opportunity walhamdulillah to go for Hajj within a couple of months; but I needed one month’s worth of (advanced) vacation–more than I get in a year!
So I talked to my manager, explained to him about Hajj, and gave him the Five Minute Da’wah Speech. He said he’ll get back to me.
He said later: “I spoke to HR, and they told me not to give it to you. But you just go ahead and do what you gotta do, and we’ll deal with it when you come back (logistics-wise).”
Subhanallah. I made one small step, and Allah filled in the rest. Allahu akbar!
Assalaam Alaykum
Jazakum Allahu Khairan.
Just a point of benefit:
Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Recite ‘Qul yaa ayyuha’l-kaafiroon’ when you go to sleep, for it is a renunciation of shirk.” (Reported by al-Bayhaqi. Saheeh al-Jaami’, 1172).
It was narrated that Nawfal al-Ashja’i (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to me: “Recite Qul yaa ayyuha’l-kaafiroon then go to sleep at the end of it, for it is a disavowal of shirk.”
Narrated by Abu Dawood (5055) and al-Tirmidhi (3400); classed as hasan by Ibn Hajar in Nataa’ij al-Afkaar (3/6); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.
@A Sister, wa’alikum as-salaam, it is indeed described as such, Surah Tawheed, a cutting-off from shirk. Jazakumullahu khayran for bringing it up.
Assalamulaikum – I have recently got into this website and I am enjoying it so far! this is good stuff :) Jazakallah khair for your hard work – keep it up!
@Ali wa’alikum, jazakumullahu khayran, may Allah accept it and bring you benefit from it (ameen)!
Assalamu alaykum,
I got an email about 7 reasons to follow a fatwa but the link doesn’t seem to work?
About the stories of embarrassment..
My friend’s colleague was interested in Islam and asked her if non-Muslims would really go to jahannam. She was embarrassed to tell the truth and also afraid that he wouldn’t like to become Muslim after he heard the answer. But she told him after all and he became scared and wanted to convert! Alhamdulillah!
I myself find it hard to pray at school because of people who see me. I’m the only hijabi and people don’t know anything about Islam. I’m mad at myself at the same time too because it’s my duty as a Muslim to give them dawah and them seeing me pray is a great opportunity. May Allah give all of us the strength to be proud of our religion and not be shy to show it to others!
Hello, Ilm seeker, I don”t know where to post for this question but In surat “an-naba’ ” There is this ayat :
A lam naj3ali l-arDa mihaadan.
I don’t understand why there is the “i” at the end of the verb ja3ala. I know with the Lam negation it’s Lam Naj3al. So if you could tell me the reason of this “i” at the end of this verb, i would be grateful :)
Wa salamu 3alaykum
@Ismail, as-salaamu ‘alikum.
Regarding your question, I don’t know either :) my best guess, based on what I’ve learned, is this (sorry for the verboseness, I’m not sure how much of this you already know).
- The default for mudaari’ verbs is marfoo’ naj’alu, with damma.
- Lam makes mudaari’ verbs majzoom, with sukoon: naj’al.
- Al-Ard has hamzatul-wassil, the connecting hamza (fish-head) which is ignored.
- This leaves us with two sukoons meeting: the sukoon on the laam in naj’al, and the sukoon on the alif in “al” (alif-lam).
- Two sukoons meeting is illegal in Arabic grammar. We must resolve this conflict.
- There’s a statement: “Al-Hurrika bi saakin, saakin bi kasra.”
- Therefore, we apply a kasra to naj’al, to prevent this two-sukoons meeting–it becomes naj’ali
Wallahu ta’ala ‘alam. Also based on this understanding, you could stop (if you were allowed to stop; Allahu ‘alam about that!) and recite it as:
“A lam naj’al. Al-arda mihaadan.” Because the kasra is only added to smoothen the transition by preventing a two-sukoons-meeting case.
@Umm Zaynah, jazakumullahu khayran for the story. Very inspiring.
assalamu alekum
i have recently joined your website, iam student of islamic studies too,and your website offers me lot of information,and i share it with my friends and family.thanks a lot,please keep up with the good work, remember me in dua. jazakalla hu kheran, wassalam
@azra tabassum, wa’alikum as-salaam, barakallahu fiykum … insha’Allah will do. If you have any feedback, post it in the comments insha’Allah, I take it pretty seriously.