The theological criteria of Kufr [disbelief] in the light of the Shiite and Sunnite views with emphasis on the Quranic verses and narrations

Presently, in many Muslim countries, the label of disbelief has become a pretext in the hands of suicide bombers to shed the blood of Muslims and other innocent people and at the same time declare themselves as martyrs in the way of Allah. Today, the issue of disbelief faces serious challenges and cannot be implemented. Moreover, the current expediencies in the Muslim countries cannot justify the application of technical disbelief. For disbelief is a mutli-faceted issue that needs to be addressed precisely. The caution has to be taken so that a Muslim should not be mistakenly accused of disbelief. It seems that those who unknowingly accuse Muslims of being disbelievers are ill-informed of the theological criteria of Kufr [disbelief]. Disbelief has theological and jurisprudential criteria which are related to the domains of beliefs and actions, respectively. The current article attempts to put forth a well-organized theory on disbelief in the light of the Quranic verses and Islamic narrations; knowing that it’s hard enough to reveal the criteria of disbelief. Ostensibly, disbelief seems to reject Allah, his messenger and the hereafter but a deeper look at the issue suggests otherwise. Thus, it is necessary to respond the very basic question that what are the theological criteria of Kufr [disbelief] in the light of the Shiite and Sunnite views and with emphasis on the Quranic verses and narrations.