Sūrat al-Kāfirūn

Classification: Meccan. It consists of six verses. It was revealed after Sūrat al-Māʿūn.

Note: This surah and Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ are called al-Muqashqishatān (the two that grant immunity), meaning they grant immunity from hypocrisy.

1. Say, "O you who disbelieve,"

2. "I do not worship what you worship,"

3. "Nor are you worshippers of what I worship,"

4. "Nor will I be a worshipper of what you have worshipped,"

5. "Nor will you be worshippers of what I worship."

6. "For you is your religion, and for me is my religion."

The Addressees: They are specific disbelievers whom God knew would never believe. It is narrated that a group of Quraysh said: "O Muhammad, come, follow our religion and we will follow yours. You worship our gods for a year, and we will worship your God for a year." He replied: "I seek refuge in God from associating anything with Him." They said: "Then touch some of our gods, and we will believe you and worship your God." Thereupon, this surah was revealed. He went to the Sacred Mosque, where the elite of Quraysh were gathered, stood over them, and recited it to them. They then lost all hope.

{I do not worship}: This refers to worship in the future. This is because "lā" (لا) only enters upon a present-tense verb that signifies the future, just as "mā" (ما) only enters upon a present-tense verb that signifies the present. Do you not see that "lan" (لن) is an emphasis of what "lā" negates? Al-Khalil said regarding "lan": its origin is "lā an" (لا أن). The meaning is: I will not do in the future what you ask of me regarding the worship of your gods, nor will you do in it what I ask of you regarding the worship of my God.

{Nor am I a worshiper of what you worship}: Meaning: I have never been a worshiper in the past of what you worship. That is to say: You have never known me to worship an idol during the Age of Ignorance (Jahiliyyah), so how could you hope for it from me now that I am in Islam?

{Nor are you worshipers of what I worship}: Meaning: And you have never worshiped, at any time, what I worship.

If you ask: Why was it not said "mā 'abadtu" (what I have not worshiped), just as it was said "mā 'abadtum" (what you have worshiped)? I reply: Because they were worshiping idols before the mission (of the Prophet), whereas he was not worshiping God, the Exalted, at that time.

If you ask: Why did it come with "mā" (what) instead of "man" (who)? I reply: Because the intent is the attribute. It is as if he said: "I do not worship falsehood, and you do not worship the Truth." It is also said that "mā" is an infinitive particle (masdariyyah), meaning: "I do not worship your worship, and you do not worship my worship."

{For you is your religion, and for me is my religion}: For you is your polytheism, and for me is my monotheism. The meaning is: I am a prophet sent to you to call you to the Truth and salvation. If you do not accept from me and do not follow me, then leave me alone, and do not invite me to polytheism.

From the Messenger of God (peace be upon him): "Whoever recites Surah al-Kāfirūn, it is as if he has recited a quarter of the Qur'an; the rebellious devils are distanced from him; he is absolved of polytheism; and he is saved from the Great Terror."