Kafir

Kafir is an Arabic word meaning “nonbeliever” or “infidel” (plural: kuffar). The term kafir derives from the Islamic word kufr (disbelief), used to describe those who deny Allah’s authority or teachings. In some interpretations of Islam, a kafir is considered the second stage of rebellion against God, the first being “fisq” and the third being “taghut.” According to Islamic theology, kufr has several sub-categories, including disbelief stemming from stubbornness (Kufr ul-‘Inad), denial (Kufr ul-Inkar), and hypocrisy (Kufr ul-Nifaq). 

Muslims who refer to self-described Muslims as kuffar engage in a highly controversial practice known as takfir. By designating another Muslim as a kafir, the accusing party partakes in an excommunication process that carries with it a de facto death sentence. In the 20th century, extremist ideologue Sayyid Qutb revived the medieval practice of takfir to label Muslim government leaders and Western political adversaries as kafir, in essence calling for their deaths. 

Supporters of ISIS, al-Qaeda, and other Islamic extremist groups use variants of the words “kafir” and “kuffar” to refer to their Muslim and non-Muslim adversaries in online forum, as well as on social media and through various propaganda materials. Extremist recruiters and propagandists have also sweepingly referred to Muslims and non-Muslims as kuffar.

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Sayyid Qutb: The Philosophical Foundation for Modern Jihadism

As the forefather of modern jihadism, Sayyid Qutb (1906-1966) profoundly influenced virtually every ‘Islamic’ extremist group operating today. According to the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point, the diverse jihadist movement cites Qutb more frequently than any other modern author. Esteemed Egyptian political commentator Aly Salem writes, “It is not an exaggeration to say that Qutb is to Islamism what Karl Marx is to communism.”​

A Salafi Salad: Jihadism, Takfirism, and the Use of Violence

This was the oddly bold caption headlining the 2014 conference report on “Salafism in the Arab World” (sub-title: “Perceptions, Trends and Groups”), hosted by the al-Jazeera “Center for Studies” [sic]. This “finding” was reiterated in the summary, which asserted in pride of place (as the number one point), “Salafism has no single definition.” The conference report continued in this eccentric and frivolous vein, publishing a photo of a participant – a bearded man in a long white dress – almost immediately after regretfully noting that “Salafism tends to elicit images of bearded men in long white dresses.” Indeed. For those hoping to chart the shifting sands of Salafism, the Salafism Conference would not be their first port-of-call.​

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Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.

Fact:

On October 7, 2023, Hamas invaded southern Israel where, in the space of eight hours, hundreds of armed terrorists perpetrated mass crimes of brutality, rape, and torture against men, women and children. In the biggest attack on Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, 1,200 were killed, and 251 were taken hostage into Gaza—where 101 remain. One year on, antisemitic incidents have increased by record numbers. 

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