BENEFIT 303: Does making an unjust declaration of takfeer render one a disbeliever?

Question: The Prophet ﷺ said: “If a man accuses his brother of disbelief, it will revert to one of them.” In another narration, he said: “If a man says to his brother, ‘O Kafir,’ it will revert to one of them: if it is true, then as he said; otherwise, it will return to him.” In yet another narration, the Prophet ﷺ stated: “Whoever accuses a man of disbelief or says, ‘Enemy of Allah,’ without it being true, it will return upon him.” My question is, does making an unjust declaration of takfeer render one a disbeliever? Imam An-Nawawi rahimahullah explained: This hadith has been considered by some scholars to be problematic as THE APPARENT MEANING IS NOT INTENDED. This is because the position of the people of truth is that a Muslim does not become a disbeliever due to sins such as murder or fornication, nor for calling his brother a disbeliever without believing in the invalidity of Islam. Given this, scholars have proposed several interpretations of the hadith: 1⃣. First Interpretation: It applies to someone who deems such actions permissible (ISTIḤLĀL), and such a person is indeed considered a disbeliever. 2⃣. Second Interpretation: The meaning is that the BLAME for accusing his brother and THE SIN of declaring him a disbeliever returns to the accuser. 3⃣. Third Interpretation: It is interpreted as referring to the KHAWĀRIJ, who label believers as disbelievers. This view was transmitted by Qadi Iyad (may Allah have mercy on him) from Imam Malik ibn Anas. However, this interpretation is weak because the correct and preferred position held by the majority of scholars and experts is that the Khawarij are not disbelievers, the same as other innovators. 4⃣. Fourth Interpretation: The meaning is that such accusations may ultimately lead to disbelief. This is because, as some have said, SINS LEAD TO DISBELIEF. 5⃣. Fifth Interpretation: The meaning is that the ACCUSATION of disbelief returns to him, not the actual disbelief, but the act of declaring another a disbeliever. Paraphrased from his explanation on Saheeh Muslim باب بيان حال إيمان من قال لأخيه المسلم يا كافر