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Islam is a religion that is misunderstood and misrepresented, often unintentionally. One of the causes of this misrepresentation is that Islamic concepts are poorly understood and Islamic terms poorly translated. Two of the most commonly mistranslated Islamic terms are the words kāfir (unbeliever) and `ālim (scholar).
The Arabic word kāfir is often translated as “infidel” in the popular press. The word “infidel” carries with it a lot of negative connotations. It conjures up images of intolerance, extremism, and religious fanaticism.
However, in Arabic, the word kāfir does not carry with it such connotations. It simply means: “one who disbelieves in something or rejects something”. It should be translated as “unbeliever”.
Muslims are actually ordered to be kāfirs in the Qur’an. The Qur’an says: “There shall be no compulsion in religion. The right course has been made clear from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in false worship and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it.” [Qur’an: 2:256] A person who rejects falsehood is a “kāfir” of falsehood.
When the word kāfir is translated as infidel, it does not matter what the Arabic speaker is saying; he is going to come out looking like an intolerant religious fanatic.
Consider these two passages:
- Muslims are commanded by the Qur’an to respect people of other faiths. Unbelievers are allowed to live in Muslim lands. Their lives are sacred and their property is inviolable. In an Islamic state, unbelievers can engage in business and hold government office. Unbelievers are guaranteed freedom of worship and cannot be compelled to accept Islam.
- Muslims are commanded by the Qur’an to respect people of other faiths. Infidels are allowed to live in Muslim lands. Their lives are sacred and their property is inviolable. In an Islamic state, infidels can engage in business and hold government office. Infidels are guaranteed freedom of worship and cannot be compelled to accept Islam.
Even though the message being presented is a message of tolerance, version 2 does not come across that way simply because of the use of the word “infidel”. If the person or book being quoted has a radical stance, this radicalism will be exaggerated. By using a more accurate and neutral word like “unbeliever” the quoted source will be allowed to speak for itself and the ideas being presented can be evaluated on their own merits.
As for the word `ālim, it is often translated as “cleric”. This translation is inaccurate and misleading. There is no clergy in Islam. There are no people who fulfill a role similar to that carried out by the clergy of other faiths. An `ālim is not holier than anyone else. He cannot solicit blessings or forgiveness for others. He is not privy to arcane knowledge and cannot impart divine guidance. He cannot declare things lawful or unlawful of his own accord.
An `ālim is merely a religious scholar, a person who has devoted years of study to Islamic theology and law. An `ālim is considered a specialist in a specialized field. The Muslim public consults with these scholars in matters of religion. When one of these scholars gives a verdict, it must be based on the sacred texts and not some sort of mystical inspiration. In matters wherein scholars differ, the statement of an `ālim is not binding on anyone, unless he is a judge appointed by the government to preside over a certain law court or jurisdiction. In this case, his ruling is binding from a purely legal capacity and not in a clerical one.
This distinction is important for understanding the Muslim world and the role played by Islam in society. Islam is not an organized religion in the conventional sense. This has far-reaching consequences on the dynamics of Islam in society. For instance, after September 11, everyone saw the Pope give his message of tolerance to the world. Here was a clearly recognized religious leader giving a clearly discernable message. The same could not be said for the Muslims. No clearly defined Muslim leaders came forth with the desired condemnation of the terrorist attacks. There were “clerics” who condemned the attacks, and unfortunately, there were a few “clerics” who were quoted as supporting them. In actual fact, the vast majority of scholars around the world condemned the attacks, but there was no clearly recognizable Muslim pope, rabbi, or priest who came forth on international television and made the case plain. There is a simple explanation for this. Islam has no popes, rabbis, or priests.
The lack of central organization for Islam is also the reason why it is very difficult to monitor Islamic religious movements and the growth of various ideologies. In the Muslim world, there are many currents of thought and many Islamic organizations, but they are not organized into recognizable denominations, as is the case with other religions. The majority of scholars are moderate in their outlook. Some are more liberal than others. Then there are radicals and extremists. However, in all cases they are just individuals with their individual opinions. Some of them may be more popular or influential than others, but neither these scholars not their following can be seen as belonging to distinct denominations. They are all just described as Muslims.
If the word “infidel” could be replaced in the news media by the word “unbeliever” and “cleric” with “scholar” or “Islamic scholar”, it would be a positive step towards a more accurate representation of Islam and the Muslims.
