Aslam

Praise be to Allah.

This question is based on a misconception, for the same

requirements are demanded of the kaafir as of the believer, but he is not

obliged to do them in this world. The indication that he is subject to the

same requirements is to be found in the aayah (interpretation of the

meaning):

“Except those on the Right (i.e. the pious true believers

of Islamic Monotheism).

In Gardens (Paradise) they will ask one another,

About Al‑Mujrimoon

(polytheists, criminals, disbelievers) (and they will say to them):

‘What has caused you to enter Hell’

They will say: ‘We were not of those who used to offer the

Salaah (prayers),

Nor we used to feed Al‑Miskeen (the poor);

And we used to talk falsehood (all that which Allaah

hated) with vain talkers.

And we used to belie the Day of Recompense’”

[al-Muddaththir 74:39-46]

If their suffering were not due to the fact that they did not

pray or feed the poor, they would not mention these things. This indicates

that they will be punished concerning (neglect of) the minor issues of

Islam. This is based on the texts but it is also the matter of common sense,

for if Allaah will punish His believing slave for what he failed to do with

regard to religious obligations, how can He not punish His disbelieving

slave? Rather I could add that the kaafir will be punished for everything

that Allaah has blessed him with in this world, his food, drink, etc. Allaah

says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Those who believe and do righteous good deeds, there is

no sin on them for what they ate (in the past), if they fear Allaah (by

keeping away from His forbidden things), and believe and do righteous good

deeds, and again fear Allaah and believe, and once again fear Allaah and do

good deeds with Ihsaan (perfection). And Allaah loves the good‑doers”

[al-Maa'idah 5:93]

The apparent meaning of the aayah is that the believers are

relieved of any blame for what they eat, and it may be understood that the

kaafirs are to blame for what they eat. Similarly Allaah says

(interpretation of the meaning):

“Say (O Muhammad): ‘Who has forbidden the adornment with

clothes given by Allaah, which He has produced for His slaves, and

At-Tayyibaat [all kinds of Halaal (lawful) things] of food?’ Say: ‘They are,

in the life of this world, for those who believe, (and) exclusively for them

(believers) on the Day of Resurrection (the disbelievers will not share

them)’”

[al-A’raaf 7:32]

The phrase “They are, in the life of this world, for those

who believe” indicates that people other than the believers do not have

any right to enjoy them. I say that they do not have any shar’i right to

them, but the reality of this life is that Allaah has created these things

and the kaafirs are benefitting from them, and this is something that cannot

be denied. This indicates that the kaafir will be brought to account even

for the permissible things that he ate and for what he wore. This is based

on the texts but it is also the matter of common sense, for how can it make

sense that this kaafir who disobeys Allaah and does not believe in Him

should have the right to enjoy that which Allaah has created and blessed His

slaves with? If this is clear to you, (then you will see that) the kaafir

will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection for his deeds, but the

way in which the kaafir will be brought to account will not be like the way

in which the believer is brought to account, because the reckoning of the

believer will be easy, and his Lord will speak to him alone, and will make

him admit to his sins, then He will say to him, “I concealed your sins in

the world and I forgive you for them today.” But as for the kaafir – we seek

refuge with Allaah – his reckoning will mean that he will confess to his

sins and be humiliated before all the people,

“and the witnesses will say, “These are the ones who lied

against their Lord!” No doubt! the Curse of Allaah is on the Zaalimoon

(polytheists, wrongdoers, oppressors)”