๏ Say, “O concealers! (1) I do not worship what you worship, (2) and you are not worshippers of what I worship. (3) I am not a worshipper of what you worship, (4) and you are not worshippers of what I worship. (5) For you is your philosophy, and for me is mine.” (6)

— _al-kāfirūn_⋆109/1-6

This chapter is often used as an example of an ‘each to their own’ attitude. But the context of the chapter is antagonistic. The believers are told to face off with the enemy in the previous chapter, 108, and they are victorious in the next chapter, 110. Rather than a call to tolerance, this chapter draws a line in the sand.

The believer faces off with those who oppose and conceal the dīn. The statement, walā antum ʿābidūna mā aʿbud – and you are not worshippers of what I worship – is repeated twice, emphasising to the kāfirūn that there will be no reconciliation while they are in open opposition.

Those who fight against the moral philosophy of islam are denounced, and denounced clearly.

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