Two definitive words used in the Quran are Shirk and Kufr. The adjectives from
these two nouns are Mushrik (one who commits shirk) and Kafir (one who commits
kufr) respectively.
What exactly
is shirk and what is kufr, and what is the Quranic difference between the two?
The first
observation comes from the following verse, and it tells us that shirk and kufr
are not the same thing:
Indeed, those who 'kafaru' (disbelieved) among the People of the Book as well
as the 'Mushrikeen' (those who committed shirk) will be in the fire
of Hell; therein they shall permanently remain. They are the worst of
creatures. 98:6
If the two types of people were identical, they would not have been mentioned
separately.
The
following are words which are used in the Quran as opposites:
1- Mumin (believer) as opposed to Kafir (disbeliever)
He is the One who created you, then among you there is the Kafir (disbeliever)
and among you is the Mumin (believer). 64:2
2- Mushrik (one who sets up partners with God) as opposed to Hanifan (a
pure worshipper of God who accepts God’s absolute authority with no
partners/monotheist). It is important here to note that to set partners with
God a person must believe in God in the first place.
Say, "My Lord has guided me to a straight path, a correct religion, the
creed of Abraham. He was a hanifan and was not one of the Mushrikeen." 6:161
- Kafir = a disbeliever, either an atheist or someone who believes in other
gods besides God.
- Mushrik =
someone who believes in the One God but associates partners with God in any
capacity and in any of God’s exclusive rights.
The word 'mushrik' comes from the route word 'ashraka' which means to make
someone a partner in something, while as the word 'shirka' means a partnership.
Relevant questions:
1- We note that in 4:48 God proclaims that all sins can be
forgiven except shirk. Does this mean that kufr is a forgivable sin? The answer
is no, and can be seen in the following verse:
Those who have disbelieved and transgressed, God was not to
forgive them, nor to guide them to any path. 4:168
By
reading 4:48 together with 4:168, we note that kufr and shirk are
both unforgivable sins.
2- Is someone who believes in other gods a mushrik or a kafir?
The Quran
tells us that a person who believes that there are other gods besides God is a
Kafir by definition. He is a kafir because he rejected the Oneness of God which
is the prime attribute of God. On the other hand, a mushrik is someone who
believes in God as the only god, but at the same time, associates partners with
God (not as gods, but who share in God's exclusive rights).
The majority of those who believe in God (which includes all
Muslims) do not do so without committing shirk. 12:106
3- What becomes of the deeds of the one who commits shirk or kufr?
All the
deeds, of both mushrik and kafir, are nullified and count for nothing on
Judgement Day:
If you ever commit shirk, your works will be nullified and you
will be among the losers. 39:65
Any of you who reverts from his religion and dies as a disbeliever, for
those, their works are nullified in this world and the Hereafter and
these are the companions of the Fire; therein they shall permanently
remain. 2:217
4- What is the fate of one who dies as a mushrik, and is his fate
different from the fate of a kafir?
Once again,
we learn from the Quran that the fate of the kafir (disbeliever) and that of
the mushrik (one who associates partners with God) are the same. The
following verse confirms that both of them are committed to Hell:
Indeed, those who 'kafaru' (disbelieved) among the People of the Book as well
as those who committed shirk will be in the fire of Hell, therein
they shall permanently remain. They are the worst of creatures. 98:6
5- Why are the Christians who believe in the Trinity called kafir (5:73)
even though they believe in God?
No one can
be called a believer in God without believing in the Oneness of God. A person
who believes that God and Jesus are one does not believe in the true God. The
one who believes in the 'Trinity' does not believe in the true One God. The
true God is not Jesus and is not a third of a 'Trinity'. As a result, such a
person is a kafir and not a mushrik.
6- Is there really much difference between a kafir and a mushrik?
Kufr and
shirk are two different symptoms of the same illness. They are two different
routes that lead to the same destination; perdition.
In essence,
every mushrik is necessarily one who harbours kufr as well.
The explanation
of this lies in the reason why a mushrik associates partners with God. A
person does so because somewhere along the line he rejects the idea of God
alone.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that the Quran tells us the alarming fact that
every mushrik automatically becomes a kafir as well:
If harm touches the people, they implore their Lord, turning to Him. Then if He
grants them a taste of mercy from Him, some of them revert to associating
partners with their Lord (yushrikoon). 30:33
Thereby disbelieving (yakfuru) in what We have given them. So enjoy
yourselves, for you will surely come to know. 30:34
The
words "disbelieving in what We have given them" gives us
the reason why all mushriks are in essence kafirs as well, it is because they
disbelieved in some words in the Quran which God gave them.
Source:
https://www.quran-islam.org/articles/part_5/shirk_and_kufr_(P1511).html
Appeal:
Being a Muslim
it is must to spread saying (Ahadith) of Prophet (PEACE BE UPON HIM) to each
and every one for which one will be rewarded both in this world and life hereafter.
 and Polytheism (Shirk) in Quran Islam){kind=link}
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