Kufr is a central concept in the Qur’an that is often narrowly understood merely as the opposite of faith iman; however, its meaning is multidimensional and extends beyond the purely theological realm. This study aims to: (1) map the distribution and morphological variations of kufr within the Qur’an; (2) analyze its semantic typologies of meaning; and (3) examine its psychological impact on human cognitive, affective, and behavioral states. The study employs a qualitative library research method based on thematic exegesis tafsir mawdu’i, utilizing Tafsir AlMishbah as the primary exegetical source. The findings indicate that: (1) the root kaf-fa’-ro and its derivatives appear 525 times in the Qur’an, predominantly in Medinan surahs (±315) compared to Meccan ones (±210), reflecting an expansion of the concept of kufr from individual creedal issues to social and political dimensions; (2) five typologies of kufr are identified: the denial of tauhid (monotheism), ingratitude for blessings, disassociation, vehement rejection, and the act of “covering” or sealing off; and (3) each typology engenders distinct psychological consequences, including cognitive-orientational dysfunction, existential anxiety, relational breakdown, cognitive-emotional dissonance, and the degradation of cumulative consciousness. This research contributes to filling a gap in integrative semantic studies of the Qur’an by addressing the psychological essence of kufr, a subject that has not previously been systematically examined.
Copyrights © 2026