Infidel or Paganus? The Polysemy of kafara in the Quran

Juan Cole

doi:10.52510/sia.v2i1.25

Abstract

This article explores the meaning of the root k-f-r in the Quran, questioning the practice of translating the noun kāfir as “infidel.” It argues for a distinction between the idiomatic phrasal verb kafara bi-, which does mean to reject or disbelieve, and the simple intransitive verb kafara and its deverbal nouns, which are used in the Quran in a large number of different ways. This polysemy is explored through contextual readings of Quran passages. It is argued that the noun kāfir, unlike the verb kafara, is used only with regard to adherents of traditional polytheism and is not deployed in an unmodified way with regard to Jews and Christians. The possible influence on the Arabic kafara of Greek and Latin conceptions is also broached.

Highlights

INFIDEL OR PAGANUS? The Polysemy of kafara in the Qur'an kafara in the Qur'ān has been taken by most exegetes to mean “to deny, reject,” and the active participle kāfir has most frequently been translated as “infidel, unbeliever”.[2]
Cole conducts his research in Arabic, Persian and Urdu and Turkish as well as several European languages. He knows both Middle Eastern and South Asian Islam. He lived in various parts of the Muslim world for more than a decade, and continues to travel widely there
This article explores the meaning of the root k-f-r in the Quran, questioning the practice of translating the noun kāfir as “ infidel.”

Summary

Introduction

INFIDEL OR PAGANUS? The Polysemy of kafara in the Qur'an kafara in the Qur'ān has been taken by most exegetes to mean “to deny, reject,” and the active participle kāfir has most frequently been translated as “infidel, unbeliever” (these renderings are the common ones in Qur'ān translations, which tend to translate them unvaryingly).[2]. U uču uć PBS N ws H ur, ABC W r N ws T R fi v žs ć v : tt ://www- rs .u . He has sought to put the relationship of the West and the Muslim world in historical context.

Results

Conclusion