OBSERVATION

This question was popular among the candidates. The freedom granted the candidates either to write in Arabic text or transliteration of chapter 109 of the Qur’ān was well utilised by the candidates. This enabled them to perform well.  The question requested the candidates to write in Arabic or transliteration of Sūratul-Kāfirūn, translate and comment. Thus:

(a)   i  Arabic text/ Transliteration

            بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ   

• قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ
• لَا أَعْبُدُ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ
• وَلَا أَنْتُمْ عَابِدُونَ مَا أَعْبُدُ
• وَلَا أَنَا عَابِدٌ مَا عَبَدْتُمْ
• وَلَا أَنْتُمْ عَابِدُونَ مَا أَعْبُدُ
• لَكُمْ دِينُكُمْ وَلِيَ دِينِ

• Qul yā ’ayyuhal kāfirūn
• Lā a’abudu mā ta‘budūn
• Wa lā ’antum ‘abidūna mā ’a’abudu
• Wa lā ’anā ‘abidum mā a‘abadt-tum
• Wa lā ’antum ‘abidūna mā ’a‘abudu
• La kum dīnukum waliya dīn.

(b) Translation

            In the Name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful

• Say! O unbelievers!
• I worship not that which you worship
• Nor will you worship that which I worship
• And I shall not worship that which you worship.
• Nor, will you worship that which I worship.
• To you, be your religion and to me, my religion.

 (C) Comments

• The chapter is titled ‘the Unbelievers’.
• It was revealed in Makkah with six verses.
• The unbelievers proposed to the Prophet (S.A.W.) to compromise his faith.
• They asked the Prophet (S.A.W.) to participate in the worship of their gods while they also participate in the worship of his God.
• Through this arrangement, the unbelievers believe that they could establish peace and tranquility.
• This chapter was revealed in support of the Prophet’s rejection of the unbelievers’ proposal.
• The Prophet maintained the monotheistic nature of Islam.
• The chapter affirms that there is no compulsion and compromise in religion.
• The chapter shows that there should be freedom of worship.
• No one has the right to ask another person to abandon his/her religion.
• It defines the right attitude to those who reject faith.
• Faith is a matter of personal conviction.