Surah 109 · Meccan · 6 Verses
الكافرون
SURAH AL-KAFIRUN
The Disbelievers
Surah Al-Kafirun gives the Messenger a clear declaration that he will not worship what his opponents worship and that they do not worship what he worships. Its repeated distinctions reject negotiated religious compromise while the final verse states, “For you your religion, and for me mine.” It is a boundary statement, not permission for abuse. More about this surah
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
قُلْ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْكَٰفِرُونَ
Say, "O disbelievers,
Word by Word ▾
لَآ أَعْبُدُ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ
I do not worship what you worship.
Word by Word ▾
وَلَآ أَنتُمْ عَٰبِدُونَ مَآ أَعْبُدُ
Nor are you worshippers of what I worship.
Word by Word ▾
وَلَآ أَنَا۠ عَابِدٌۭ مَّا عَبَدتُّمْ
Nor will I be a worshipper of what you worship.
Word by Word ▾
وَلَآ أَنتُمْ عَٰبِدُونَ مَآ أَعْبُدُ
Nor will you be worshippers of what I worship.
Word by Word ▾
لَكُمْ دِينُكُمْ وَلِىَ دِينِ
For you is your religion, and for me is my religion."
Word by Word ▾
About This Surah
The Messenger is commanded to address the rejecters directly. The repeated present and future formulations close proposed compromises in worship: he does not worship their objects, and they do not worship the One he worships in the manner demanded by revelation.
Repetition provides clarity where political or social negotiation might blur devotion. The surah does not require pretending that contradictory worship claims are identical.
The final line assigns each side its religion. It can establish non-coercive separation, but it should not be detached from the Quran’s broader commands for justice, good conduct and truthful dialogue.
The surah preserves both theological difference and human dignity. The chapter offers no license for harassment, dehumanization, forced conversion or ethnic hostility.
Core Themes
- Worship cannot be bargained away
- Theological clarity need not become coercion
- Religious boundaries can coexist with civil conduct
Structure
Verses 1-5: repeated refusal of worship compromise — 1-5
Verses 1-5 focus on repeated refusal of worship compromise.
Verses 6: a clear religious boundary — 6
Verses 6 focus on a clear religious boundary.
Key Passages
The first refusal — 1-2
Verses 1-2 address the first refusal.
Repeated distinction — 3-5
Verses 3-5 address repeated distinction.
Your religion and mine — 6
Verses 6 address your religion and mine.
Interpretation Limits
- Do not turn a theological category into ethnic hostility.
- Do not use the surah to justify mistreatment or coercion.
- Do not claim the verse erases every duty of fair coexistence.