Lessons from Surah Al-Kafiroon

The Importance of Surah Al-Kafirun

Since I was taught to recite Surah Al-Kafirun in the sunnah prayers of both Fajr and Maghrib, I began to wonder why this surah is emphasized in our prayers more than other surahs. I learned that Surah Al-Kafirun is mentioned in many hadiths. 

In one hadith, the Prophet (pbuh) teaches us to recite this surah before going to sleep because it purifies us of shirk (associating others with Allah):

“Recite surah al Kafirun and then go to sleep after coming to its end, for it is a clearance from shirk.” [Abu Dawud]

The Prophet (pbuh) would regularly recite surah Al-Kafirun in multiple prayers:

1. Both the Fajr and Maghrib sunnah prayers.

Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) recited in the two (sunnah) rak’ahs of the dawn (prayer): “Say: O unbelievers,” (Qur’an, 109.) and “Say: Allah is One” (Quran 112). (Recorded in Muslim)

Ibn Umar said, “I watched the Prophet (pbuh) twenty-four to twenty-five times reciting in the two rakahs before the morning  prayer and the two rakahs after the sunset prayer on approximately ten or twenty different occasions “Say Al Kafirun” and “He is Allah one”.. (Recorded in Ahmad)

2. The two rakahs after the tawaf of the Kabah. 

The Prophet (pbuh) recited surah Al Kafirun and Surah Ikhlas in the two rakahs after tawaf. This is reported in a long hadith found in Muslim (The Book of Pilgrimage). 

3. The Witr Prayer

Ubayy ibn Ka’b said: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) used to recite in Witr, Sabbih isma rabbika al-‘a’la” (“Glorify the name of your Lord, the Most High” – Soorat al-A’la 87), Qul yaa ayyuha’l-kaafiroon (“Say: O disbeliever…” – Soorat al-Kafirun 109) and Qul Huwa Allahu ahad (“Say: He is Allah, the One” – Surat al-Ikhlas 112). Recorded in Saheeh al-Nasaa’i. 

In one hasan (fair) hadith, the Prophet (pbuh) said that surah Al-Kafirun is equal to one fourth of the Quran:

Abdullah ibn Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, “Say: He is Allah the One (112:1) is equal to one third of the Quran. Say: O unbelievers (109:1) is equal to one fourth of the Quran.” 

(Source: Mu’jam Al-Kabeer 13319, Grade: Hasan (fair) according to Al-Mundhiri)

Reasons for Revelation of Surah Al-Kafirun

This surah was revealed after a decade of dawah/ calling the Meccans to Islam. When the Meccan leaders realized that the Prophet (pbuh) would not give up his mission to call people to the one true God, they offered a proposal. They proposed that everyone would be Muslims for one year, and then for one year everyone would worship their idols.

In response to their proposal, Allah revealed Surah Al-Kafirun, sending a strong and clear message:

In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy

Say (Prophet), ‘Disbelievers:

I do not worship what you worship,

You do not worship what I worship,

I will never worship what you worship,

You will never worship what I worship:

You have your religion and I have mine.’

Lessons of Surah Al-Kafirun 

1.      Never compromise your Muslim Identity.

This surah purifies our faith and strengthens our Muslim identity. We must never sacrifice the teachings of Islam for anyone. We must not allow other people to harm our relationship with Allah.

2. Islam is guidance from Allah and is not based on human desires.

“…They follow but a guess and that which they themselves desire, whereas there has surely come to them the guidance from their Lord!” (53:23)

3. This surah is specifically addressed to the Quraish leaders.

This surah addresses the Quraish leaders who Allah knew were never going to accept Islam. This surah does not mean that we should leave non-Muslims and not call them to Islam. Muslims have a duty to teach and invite people to Islam.

4. Islam is a serious commitment and should not be viewed lightly.

The ridiculous proposal of the Quraish leaders showed that they did not take religion and the worship of God seriously. Islam is a lifelong commitment and should be practiced with sincerity and devotion.

5. Islam respects the right of freedom of religion.

Islam respects the right of people to choose what religion they follow. Islam does not allow the forcing of religion on others, and it also does not allow the compromising its own values, such as the belief that it is the true religion of God:

“There is no compulsion in religion: true guidance has become distinct from error, so whoever rejects false gods and believes in God has grasped the firmest hand-hold, one that will never break. God is all hearing and all knowing.” (2:256)

2 Comments

  1. Valentino

    Hi! I could have sworn I’ve visited this site before but after going through a few of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely happy I stumbled upon it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back often!

    Reply
    1. Sheima (Post author)

      thank you 🙂

      Reply

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