A Study of Tafsir Ibn Abbas (RA) “Kufr Duna Kufr” – Classical Qur’anic Explanation of Minor Kufr

A Study of Tafsir Ibn Abbas (RA) “Kufr Duna Kufr” – Classical Qur’anic Explanation of Minor Kufr

A Study of the Tafsir of Abdullah Ibn Abbas (RA) “Kufr Duna Kufr” is a detailed scholarly work that examines the classical interpretation of Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:44) as explained by the great companion Abdullah Ibn Abbas (RA). The book clarifies the meaning of the phrase “kufr duna kufr,” often translated as “disbelief lesser than disbelief,” and explores how early Islamic scholars understood the concept within the framework of Shariah and Qur’anic exegesis. Written by Abu Ameenah AbdurRehman and Abdulhaq Al-Ashanti, this 72-page paperback provides historical, linguistic, and theological insights into one of the most discussed Qur’anic verses. It is a valuable resource for students of Islamic studies, researchers of Tafsir, and readers interested in understanding classical interpretations of governance, faith, and judgment in Islam.

From Author:

A Study Of The Tafsir Of Abdullah Ibn Abbas (RA) Kufr Duna Kufr [By Abu Ameenah AbdurRehman & AbdulHaq al-Ashanti, 4C4, PB 72pp, Jamiah Media] A Study Of The Tafsir Of Abdullah Ibn Abbas (RA) Kufr Duna Kufr A study of the tafsir of the Ibn Abbas of “And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed – then it is those who are the disbelievers.” {Al-Maidah (5): 44} “It is not the kufr that you are going towards (in your minds).” And in another narration: “it is not the kufr that you are going towards (in your minds), it is not the kufr that expels one from the religion".

Content:

1. Tafsīr of Ibn ‘Abbās on Al-Mā’idah 5:44

The central narration discussed states that Ibn ‘Abbās said:

“It is not the kufr that you think it is.”
“It is kufr less than kufr.”

The book explains this as a distinction between:

Major kufr (kufr akbar): disbelief that takes a person out of Islam
Minor kufr (kufr dūna kufr): sins or wrong judgments that do not expel one from faith
2. Understanding Ruling by Other Than Allah’s Law

The text explores classical explanations of the verse, showing that scholars distinguished between:

Deliberate rejection of Allah’s law (major disbelief)
Sinful judgment due to desire, weakness, or injustice (minor kufr)

This distinction is used to clarify misunderstandings in interpreting Qur’anic verses in isolation.

3. Methodology of Classical Tafsīr

The book highlights the importance of:

Returning to the interpretations of the Sahābah (Companions)
Understanding Qur’anic verses in light of authentic narrations
Avoiding extreme interpretations that contradict early scholarly consensus
4. Opening Islamic Introduction

The introduction includes traditional Islamic praises of Allah, seeking His help and forgiveness, and reminders of:

Taqwa (God-consciousness)
Following the Qur’an and Sunnah
Avoiding innovations in religion

It also cites Qur’anic verses urging believers to remain steadfast upon Islam.

5. Purpose of the Work

The book aims to:

Clarify the meaning of “kufr” in Qur’anic usage
Present authentic tafsīr from Ibn ‘Abbās
Prevent misinterpretation of verses related to governance
Promote balanced understanding within Islamic creed

Jamiah Media

• Abu Ameenah AbdurRehman
• Abdulhaq Ashanti

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Page:01
كفر دون كفر
A STUDY OF THE TAFSIR OF ABDULLAH IBN 'ABBAS:
KUFR DUNA KUFR
A study of the tafsir of Ibn Abbas regarding the verse: "Who- ever does not rule by what Allah has revealed then they are the disbelievers", partly based on research by Shaykh Salim al-Hilali).
By Abū Ameenah 'AbdurRahman
and 'AbdulHaq al-Ashanti
Page:02
A STUDY OF THE TAFSIR OF ABDULLAH IBN 'ABBAS:
KUFR DŪNA KUFR
From 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas in regards to Allah saying:
وَمَن لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْكَافِرُونَ
"And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed then it is those who are disbelievers." {al-Ma'idah (5): 44}
ليس هو الكفر الذي تذهبون إليه ))
"It is not the kufr that you are going towards (in your minds)."
And in another narration:
"It is not the kufr that you are going towards (in your minds), it is not the kufr that expels one from the religion,
وَمَن لَّمْ يَحْكُم بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْكَافِرُونَ
'And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed then it is those who are disbelievers.' {al-Ma'idah (5): 44}
...is kufr less than kufr."
Page:03
INTRODUCTION
Indeed, all praise is due to Allah, we praise Him, we seek His aid, and we ask for His forgiveness. Whomever Allah guides, there is none to misguide and whoever Allah misguides there is none to guide. I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is the servant and Messenger of Allah. The best speech is the book of Allah and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad. The worst of affairs are the newly invented matters, for every newly invented matter into the religion is an innovation, and every innovation (into the religion) is misguidance and all misguidance is in the Fire.
To proceed:
يَتَأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ )
"O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims (in submission to Him)." {Ali-Imran (3): 102}
يناها النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالاً كَثِيرًا وَنِسَاءً وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي تَسَاءَلُونَ بِهِ، وَالْأَرْحَامَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا )
"O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And fear Allah through whom you ask things from each other, and (respect) the wombs. Indeed Allah is ever, over you, an Observer." {an-Nisa (4): 1}