Are We Truly Believers? Understanding Momen, Kafir, and Mushrik
Category :
Islam
In the Holy Qur'an, Allah declares that mankind is of two types—believers (Momen) and disbelievers (Kafir) (Surah At-Taghabun, verse 2). But do we truly understand who qualifies as a Momen and who as a Kafir, according to Allah’s own definitions? In reality, many of us are not clear on this matter.
Today, let us not rely on any other sources but examine directly from the Qur’an what Allah defines as the characteristics of a Mu’min and a Kafir.
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Currently, nearly 2 billion people in the world identify themselves as believers and Muslims. Many believe that only particularly pious Muslims are Momen. Based on this self-identification, we hope for Allah’s mercy in this world and for Paradise in the hereafter. But are we really Momen? Let us understand through the Qur’an who qualifies as a Momen, a Muslim, a Kafir, and a Mushrik.
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Who Is a Momen?
The word momen comes from Iman, meaning "belief" or "faith". The common belief is that having faith in Allah, the Prophets, angels, divine books, fate (taqdir), the Day of Judgment, and the afterlife constitutes Iman. And whoever believes in these things is considered a Momen.
But is that really all it takes?
No.
A person may believe in all of these and still be a Kafir, as was the case with many Arabs during the Age of Ignorance (Jahiliyyah). Let’s explain.
The first declaration of Iman is the Tawheed of Allah, expressed in the Kalimah: “La ilaha illallah”, along with the name of the contemporary Prophet. We’ve been taught from childhood that this means: "There is no god but Allah." However, notice—"god" is typically translated from the Arabic "Ma’bud" (one worthy of worship), yet the Kalimah doesn't say Ma’bud, it says Ilah.
So what does Ilah actually mean?
In Arabic, Ilah means the lawgiver, commander and the sovereign authority.
In detail, an Ilah is the entity whose commands must be followed; by whose rules all aspects of life—personal, familial, societal, political, economic, legal—are governed.
Therefore, the correct meaning of La ilaha illallah is:
“There is no lawgiver except Allah.”
This is the proclamation of Allah’s Tawheed, of His absolute sovereignty. Merely believing in the existence of one Creator is not Tawheed. Rather, declaring that this Creator’s laws are to be obeyed in all aspects of life is the prerequisite for being a momen.
A true momen accepts Allah’s law as the only legitimate system and rejects all others. But if Allah’s laws are not even established on earth, how can one obey them? This is why struggling (jihad) to establish Allah’s system is a requirement alongside the declaration of Tawheed.
Allah defines a momen in the Qur’an as follows:
“The (true) believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger and then do not doubt, and strive with their wealth and their lives in the way of Allah. It is they who are the truthful.”
(Surah Al-Hujurat 49:15)
Hence, to be a momen, two conditions must be fulfilled:
The person must not accept any other authority besides Allah as the lawgiver (Ilah).
The person must strive with their life and wealth to establish Allah’s laws on earth.
Who Is a Kafir?
In simple terms, those who do not meet the criteria of a momen are Kafir, because—as mentioned—there are only two types of people.
We often think that disbelievers are those who reject Allah outright or who are hostile toward Islam. But that’s not entirely accurate.
Even a person or group that believes in Allah can be Kafir if they reject Allah’s laws.
Allah’s laws are not limited to prayer and fasting. He has given commands for every area of life—individual, family, society, state, economy. So someone may follow Allah’s commands in personal acts of worship but reject His commands in national or public matters—such a person is still a Kafir in Allah’s eyes.
Whoever rejects Allah’s commands in any domain and does not accept Him as Ilah (sovereign lawgiver), is a Kafir—regardless of their religious identity.
Allah says:
“Whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed—they are the disbelievers (Kafirun).”
(Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:44)
Who Is a Mushrik?
Mushrik commits shirk, i.e., associating partners with Allah.
Commonly, we think shirk is worshipping someone alongside Allah. While that is true, shirk also includes obeying man-made laws alongside Allah’s laws.
Those who accept some of Allah’s commands but reject others are also guilty of shirk.
Allah says:
“Do you believe in part of the Book and reject part? Then what is the reward for those who do so except disgrace in this worldly life, and on the Day of Resurrection they will be returned to the most severe punishment.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:85)
So, despite calling ourselves Muslims, we are disgraced and humiliated globally—this is the reason why.
Whose Commands Are We Really Following?
If we reflect, we will see that apart from some personal acts of worship, we have rejected Allah’s laws in all other areas of life.
Instead of Allah’s commands, we run society, state, economy, judiciary, education, and business based on man-made laws.
In doing so, we’ve removed Allah from His rightful position as Ilah and placed human beings in that role.
So, we must ask ourselves:
Who do we truly accept as Ilah—Allah or humans?
If not Allah, are we really upholding the Kalimah (La ilaha illallah)?
If not, are we still momen?
Or, in Allah’s view, have we become Kafir and Mushrik?
Reflect on these questions. You will find the answers within.
The World Today: A Result of Rejecting Allah’s Laws
Dear reader, today the world is full of oppression, injustice, war, and chaos. Our beloved country, Bangladesh, is also in a pitiful state.
Even after 54 years of independence, people have not truly found freedom. Corruption, terrorism, extortion, political harassment, oppression by the powerful, economic disparity, unemployment, hunger, and poverty plague the nation.
For many, it's a struggle to feed their families or care for their elderly parents. Misery and tears are everywhere. Everyone longs for relief.
But have you ever wondered: Why is our situation so dire?
We, Hezbut Tawheed, say the only reason for this calamity is that we have rejected Allah’s laws.
Instead of adopting Allah’s way of life (Islam), we have accepted man-made systems, even while worshipping Allah in our personal lives. In effect, we’ve accepted Allah in some areas and man-made laws in others.
This is shirk.
We are now suffering the consequences—both kufr (rejection) and shirk—and we are facing Allah’s punishment. Both our worldly and eternal lives are being ruined.
The Call of Hezbut Tawheed
In this situation, Hezbut Tawheed calls upon every believer in Bangladesh:
Let us accept Allah’s commands in every sphere of life—society, economy, judiciary, and governance.
Let us establish Allah’s divine system based on the Holy Qur’an, in place of all man-made laws. Only then will we be recognized as true momen in Allah’s sight. Only then can we end the injustice and chaos and establish justice, peace, and salvation in both this life and the Hereafter.
Dear reader, Hezbut Tawheed is the only movement today that is striving to establish Islam as a complete system of life, just as the Prophet (peace be upon him) did.
Let us unite in this struggle. Let us become true momen, as per Allah’s definition, and work together to transform this chaotic world into one of peace and justice.
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