The Meaning of the Word Takfir

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The Arabic word takfir is the verbal noun (masdar in Arabic) of the verb kaffara yukaffiru. It is the corresponding noun that describes this action.

The verb kaffara means “to judge someone as a kafir.” It is originally derived from the root letters k-f-r, that is, from the word kufr⁹⁰ and its verb kafara - yakfuru.

As explained in Arabic morphology ('ilmu s-sarf), it is possible in the Arabic language to extend a triliteral verb like kafara by doubling the second letter, thus transforming it into kaffara. This process gives the verb the meaning of “causing” or “making”⁹¹.

This method is very common and can generally be applied to verbs of this type. In Arabic linguistics, this method is referred to by a general pattern called qiyas.

Thus, from the verb malaka meaning “to possess”, the word mallaka can be formed, meaning “to make possess” or “to let possess”, implying that something is given to a person so that he owns it. Another example is 'alima meaning “to know” and 'allama meaning “to let know” or “to teach”, and so on.

As can be seen from such examples, the idea of “making” or “letting” is often used in Arabic in a figurative sense.

Similarly, with kafara meaning “to commit kufr” and kaffara meaning “to make someone commit kufr.” This verb is indeed used in this sense, describing the act of instigating another person to commit kufr and thereby leading him to become a kafir. Of course, it is not possible to force someone against his will to become a kafir; thus, the primary meaning is that someone induces another person to commit kufr, working towards making him do so and thus become a kafir.

More commonly, however, the word kaffara refers to the act of “making” someone a kafir in one's own perception – that is, seeing or labelling someone as such. Arab scholars describe this as “he attributes him kufr” (yansubuhu ila l-kufr), which can occur either through an internal judgment or by openly accusing the other person. This is the frequent and well-known use of the term takfir.

The word takfir cannot fundamentally be equated with the concept of “excommunication.” Even more absurd is the claim made by some political scientists that takfir is always to be understood as a justification for killing.