Second, that this is also followed by: wa la antum `abiduna ma a`bud 'Nor are you worshippers of Him Whom 1 worship'. They say that this does not apply to the Jews and Christians, for they worship AIlah. First, that it is followed by La a `budu ma to `budun: 'I do not worship him or those whom you worship'. They have formed this opinion for two reasons. (5) Many scholars from among the commentators have expressed the opinion that in this Surah the address of 'O disbelievers' applied only to a few persons of Quraish, who were visiting the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) with proposals of compromise regarding religion and about whom Allah had informed His Messenger than they would not believe. This address would be perpetual for him who continues to be a kafir till death, but the one who believes will no longer be its addressee. Likewise, the address of 'O kafirs' to the people also is in view of their characteristic of kufr and not their person. If one of them gives up enmity and opposition, or turns a friend and supporter, he no longer remains the addressee of this word. Such an address is not, in fact, directed to the person of the addressee but it is made on the basis of their characteristic of enmity and opposition, and lasts only until they are so characterised. (4) To address the deniers with the word 'O kafirs' is just like addressing certain people as 'O enemies', or 'O opponents'. There is no reason why this address be restricted to the pagans of Quraish or of Arabia only. (3) The word used is 'O kafirs' and not 'O muslmiks' therefore, the addressees are not only the mushriks but all those people who do not acknowledge Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace and blessings) as Allah's Messenger and the teachings and guidance brought by him as the teaching and guidance given by Allah Himself, whether they be Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians or the disbelievers, polytheists and pagans of the entire world. when a believer uses this word, it will imply those who do not believe in the Holy Prophet Mauhmmad (upon whom be Allah's peace and blessings), ', in fact, means: 'O you, who have refused to believe in my apostleship and in the teachings brought by me.' Likewise. Therefore, the Holy Prophet's saying, by Allah's command, 'O disbelievers. As against it the word 'mu min' is used for the believer. (2)The word 'kafir' is no abuse, which might have been used for the addressees of this verse, but it implies the one who refuses to believe, or is an unbeliever. Thus, though the first addressee of the word qul (say) is the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) himself, the command is not restricted to him alone but it reaches every believer through him. (1)Although the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) has been commanded to tell this to the disbelievers plainly, the theme that follows makes it explicit that every believer should tell the disbelievers plainly what has been said in the following verses so much so that the person who has just believed and repented of kufr is also bound to express similarly his disgust with and disapproval of the creed and rites of worship and gods of kufr. *1) A few points in this verse are particularly noteworthy: (109:1) Say: 'O unbelievers!' *1 Qul yaa-ai yuhal kaafiroon Tafseer Tafheem-ul-Quran by Syed Abu-al-A'la Maududi

Surah al kafirun transliteration