1. If someone denies the disbelief of such a person based on the belief that "disbelief only occurs when someone does istiḥlāl," then this is the view of the Irjā'.
2. If someone declares them a disbeliever based on the principle that "committing a major sin constitutes disbelief," then this is Khawarijism.
3. However, if someone’s position is based on evidence and free from the principles of the Murji'ah or the Khawarij, then they are considered Sunni, regardless of whether they declare the neglectful one a disbeliever or not.
Our three scholars, may Allah have mercy on them,…
Whoever asserts that it is obligatory to listen to and obey the rulers, even if they are unjust, has left the Murji’ah
This is because the Murji'ah do not recognise the legitimacy of obedience to unjust rulers; instead, they advocate for armed rebellion.
’Abdullāh ibn Ṭāhir, may Allāh have mercy on him, said about the Murji’ah:
«لا يرون للسلطان طاعة»
"They do not believe in obedience to the ruler" [’Aqīdat…
Whoever asserts that disbelief (kufr) can occur through either speech or action has left the Murji’ah
This is because the Murji'ah do not consider actions to be a part of Ēmān; for them, actions neither strengthen nor weaken Ēmān. Thus, according to them, the only way to fall into disbelief is through incorrect beliefs.
Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allāh have mercy on him, commented on those who insist on the condition of…
Whoever accepts the permissibility of making exceptions in matters of Ēmān has left the Murji’ah
’Abdurraḥmān ibn Mahdī, may Allāh have mercy on him, said:
«إذا تَرَكَ الاستثناء؛ فهو أصْلُ الإرجاء»
"If one abandons making exceptions, this forms the basis of Irjā.'" [Ash-Sharī’ah by Al-Ājurrī (2/664)]
Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allāh have mercy on him, said:
«وأما مذهب سلف أصحاب الحديث؛ كابن مسعود، وأصحابه، والثوري، وابن…
Whoever asserts that Ēmān increases and decreases has left the Murji’ah
Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal, may Allāh have mercy on him, was asked about the one who says, "Ēmān increases and decreases." He replied:
«هذا بَرئ من الإرجاء»
"This person has freed himself from Murji'ism" [As-Sunnah of Al-Khallāl (2/1009), and refer to As-Sunnah of ’Abdullāh (307/1/600)].
Al-Barbahāri, may Allāh have mercy on him, said:
«ومن قال:…
Whoever asserts that Ēmān consists of speech, belief, and action has left the Murji'ah
Al-Barbahāri, may Allāh have mercy on him, said:
«ومن قال: 'الإيمان قول وعمل، يزيد وينقص'؛ فقد خرج من الإرجاء كله، أوله وآخره»
"Whoever says, 'Ēmān is speech and action, and it increases and decreases,' has completely exited from the doctrine of the Murji'ah, from its beginning to its end." [Sharḥ As-Sunnah, p. 123, no. 161].…
Anyone who knows their stature can only love them, pray for them, seek mercy for them, and benefit from their knowledge.
These three scholars were the leading figures in issuing fatwas during their time, and Ahlus-Sunnah universally accepted and acknowledged their leadership in religious matters. May Allāh have mercy on them and reward them for their service to Islam and the Muslims.
I remain astounded, not by those who accuse them of Murji’ism, but by those who need to be reminded of their virtues and stature.
By the One in whose…
It involves addressing these accusations and allegations and providing answers to them. There are four (allegations):
First: The Allegation of Permitting Ruling by Other Than What Allāh Has Revealed
The critics expect their opponent to declare the ruler who judges by other than what Allāh has revealed as a disbeliever in situations that do not warrant disbelief. If they do not, they are accused of permitting…
«فما كان من اللوازم يرضاه القائل بعد وضوحه له؛ فهو قَوْلُهُ، و ما لا يرضاه؛ فليس قَوْلَهُ، وإن كان متناقضاً...فأما إذا نفى هُوَ - اللُّزوم؛ لم يَجُز أَنْ يُضاف إليه اللازم بحال»
"What a speaker accepts as an implication, once it becomes clear to him, is considered their position, while what they do not accept is not considered their position, even if it results in contradiction... If someone denies the implication,…
Accusations and Implications Imposed by Opponents on Those Who Share the Views of Contemporary Scholars on the Issue
Some individuals direct accusations towards those who align with the views endorsed by the three contemporary scholars, may Allāh have mercy on them. Additionally, some attempt to impose certain negative implications on those who hold such views. These accusations and implications can be addressed…
"This is the interpretation of Ibn ’Abbās and the majority of the Companions regarding the Āyah: 'And whoever does not judge by what Allāh has revealed, then it is those who are the disbelievers' [Al-
Ibn Bāz, may Allāh have mercy on him, stated:
«يكون كافراً كفراً أصغر، وظالماً ظلماً أصغر، وفاسقاً فسقاً أصغر؛ كما صح معنى ذلك عن ابن عباس، ومجاهد، وجماعة من السلف»
"It is considered minor kufr, minor dhulm, and minor fisq, as authentically reported from Ibn ’Abbas, Mujāhid, and a group of the Salaf." [Al-Fatāwā (6/250)].
Ibn 'Uthaymīn, may Allāh have mercy on him, said:
«لكن لما كان هذا لا يُرضي هؤلاء…
The narration from Ibn ’Abbās, may Allāh be pleased with him, states:
«إنه ليس بالكفر الذي يذهبون إليه، إنه ليس كفراً ينقل عن الملة، كفر دون كفر»
"It is not the disbelief they think it is; it is not disbelief that takes one out of the fold of Islam. It is a lesser form of disbelief (kufr dūna kufr)." Scholars have consistently authenticated this narration and confirmed its attribution, with some even citing it as…
Some have claimed that Ibn Ṭāwūs's statement
«وليس كمن كفر بالله وملائكته وكتبه ورسله»
"it is not like the disbelief in Allāh, His angels, His books, and His Messengers" might refer to major disbelief (kufr akbar), but of a lesser degree than disbelief in Allah, His angels, His books, and His. Messengers.
This interpretation is incorrect for three reasons:
1. Disbelief (kufr) has varying degrees, which is a…
Some have interpreted the statement (of Ibn ’Abbās)
«هي به كفر»
"it is an act of disbelief" as referring to major disbelief (kufr akbar).
However, this interpretation is incorrect for four reasons:
1. The Prophet ﷺ used similar wording, and the scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah have unanimously agreed that it refers to minor disbelief (kufr aṣghar). This is evident in the ḥadīth:
((اثنتان في الناس هما بهم كُفْرٌ؛ الطعن…
Conformity of My Conclusions with the View of Ibn ’Abbās
It has been authentically reported from Ibn ’Abbas (may Allāh be pleased with him) that he interpreted the disbelief (kufr) mentioned in the Āyah, “And whoever does not judge by what Allāh has revealed, then it is those who are the disbelievers.” [Al-Mā'idah 5:44], as minor disbelief (kufr aṣghar), which does not take one out of the fold of Islam.(1) This is…
Conformity of My Conclusions with the Statements of the Companions of Ibn ’Abbās(1)
It has been confirmed(2) from two of his companions that the meaning of disbelief in the Āyah, “And whoever does not judge by what Allāh has revealed, then it is those who are the disbelievers.” [Al-Mā'idah 5:44], refers to minor disbelief (kufr aṣghar), and it is NOT known that anyone opposed them during their time.
Ṭāwūs, may…
Conformity of My Conclusions with the position of ’Abdullaṭīf ibn ’Abdurraḥmān ibn Ḥasan, endorsed by Sulaymān ibn Saḥmān, and the Practice of Scholars, as Passed Down from the Early Generations
’Abdullaṭīf ibn ’Abdurraḥmān ibn Ḥasan, may Allāh have mercy on him, said:
«وما ذكرتَه عن الأعراب؛ من الفرق بين من استحل الحكم بغير ما أنزل الله، ومن لم يستحل؛ فهو الذي عليه العمل، وإليه المرجع عند أهل العلم»
"What you…
Conformity of My Conclusions with the Stance of the Permanent Committee Chaired by Ibn Bāz
The First Fatwa
Question: When is it permissible to declare someone a disbeliever, and when is it not permissible? What is the type of disbelief mentioned in the Āyah: "And whoever does not judge by what Allāh has revealed - then it is those who are the disbelievers." [Al-Mā'idah 44]?
Answer: Regarding your question, "When…
Conformity of My Conclusions with the Views of the Three Contemporary Scholars
The conclusions I have reached in this book are consistent with the fatwas of the three contemporary scholars—’Abdul ’Azīz ibn ’Abdullāh Ibn Bāz, Muḥammad Nāṣir Ad-Dīn Al-Albāni, and Muḥammad ibn Ṣāliḥ Ibn ’Uthaymīn, may Allāh have mercy on them.
As for Al-Albāni, may Allāh have mercy on him, he stated that judging by laws other than…
Areas of Disagreement Regarding the Previous Discussion
Disagreement concerning the nine cases I have outlined has occurred in four specific areas:
1. Definition of Substitution: The correct view is that substitution occurs only if one explicitly attributes these laws to the religion.
2. Assessment of Certain Cases of Alteration (Case Seven): There is a disagreement about whether alterating an entire legal system…
Complementary Issues
There are eight Chapters (under this section)
Chapter One
Summary of the Issue of Ruling by Other than What Allāh Has Revealed
First: A ruler who rules by other than what Allāh has revealed does not fall into major disbelief unless:
1. They explicitly claim the permissibility, denial, rejection, preference, or equality of such judgments.
2. They attribute these judgments to the religion…
Despite being one of the most debated issues among students of knowledge, the three contemporary scholars—Ibn Bāz, Al-Albāni, and Ibn ’Uthaymīn, may Allāh have mercy on them—were in agreement that it should not be considered an act of disbelief (see the following section).
Some argue that the phenomenon of general legislation only emerged in recent times, and they argue based on this that: (a) it is incorrect to refrain from declaring takfīr (as there are no definitive evidences regarding this matter), and (b) the early scholars did not declare takfīr on anyone for this same reason.
This argument is flawed for two reasons:
First: It would lead to the conclusion that no evidence can…
Ibn ’Uthaymīn, may Allāh have mercy on him, initially issued a fatwa endorsing takfīr in this case, but he later retracted it. The details are as follows:
The Earlier Fatwa:
He, may Allāh have mercy on him, stated:
« ... ومِن هؤلاء: مَن يضعون للناس تشريعات تخالف التشريعات الإسلامية، لتكون منهاجاً يسير الناسُ عليه، فإنهم لم يضعُوا تلك التشريعات المخالفة للشريعة الإسلامية؛ إلا وهم يعتقدون أنها أصْلَحُ وأَنْفَعُ…
Some have argued for takfīr in this case based on the ḥadīth concerning the darkening of the faces of the Jews. As mentioned earlier on page #, Allāh revealed Āyāt regarding them, as transmitted in Sahih Muslim (4415): "O Messenger, do not let those who hasten into disbelief grieve you," up to His statement: "And if you are given this, take it}" [Sūrah Al-Mā'idah 41], and His words: "And whoever does not judge by…