Kafir means one who rejects or denies.

‘Kafir’ is derived from the word ‘Kufr’, which means to conceal or to reject or to deny. ‘Kafir’ is the one who conceals or rejects or denies. This is contrary to how some people wrongly translate 'Kafir' as Infidel. 'Kufr' is not a curse or an insult. A Muslim also has to do 'Kufr', not with Allah but with all that is worshipped other than, or along with Allah.


"Whoever disbelieves in taghoot (yakfur bialtaghooti) and believes in Allah alone, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break" The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 2, Verse 256.

So a Muslim also has to do 'Kufr', He has to be a 'Kafir' of 'Taghoot'. 'Taghoot' means all that is worshipped other than, or along with, Allah. If 'Kafir' was an insulting word Allah would not have used it for Muslims.

In general 'Kafir' is a term used for a person who rejects Islam. However if a ‘Non-Muslim’ considers being called a ‘Kafir’ as an abuse, it is due to his/her misunderstanding about Islam. He or she needs to reach out to proper sources of understanding Islam and Islamic terminology, and not only will he not feel abused but appreciate Islam in the proper perspective.