Clarifying the Misunderstandings of the Mufti of Syria, Usamah Ar-Rifaa'i

One of the most dangerous forms of deviation in this era is: treating major nullifiers of faith lightly, and turning what is clear disbelief, apostasy, and attack on the Qur'an and religion into merely "a major sin." Among this is what has been reported from Usama Ar-Rifaa'i, the Mufti of Syria, in his claim that accusing the Mother of the Believers, Aishah bint Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with her), of immorality — after her innocence was revealed in the Qur'an — is only a major sin, and not disbelief or apostasy. This statement is extremely dangerous, because it contradicts the clear text of the Qur'an and opposes the consensus of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah. First: The issue is not merely insulting Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) The matter is not just about slandering a righteous woman — far be it from her — but rather: · Denying Allah's declaration in His revelation. · Attacking the revealed Qur'an. · Accusing the Prophet (peace be upon him) regarding his own household. · Rejecting texts that are absolutely certain in their authenticity and meaning, recited until the Day of Judgment. Allah Almighty did not leave the matter to human opinion; rather, He revealed the innocence of the Mother of the Believers as Qur'an to be recited: "Indeed, those who came with the fabricated lie are a group among you..." [Qur'an 24:11] Then He said: "Allah advises you never to do something like this again, if you are believers." [Qur'an 24:17] And He said: "Evil words are for evil men, and evil men are for evil words; good words are for good men, and good men are for good women..." [Qur'an 24:26] Whoever accuses her after this divine declaration has denied the Qur'an itself. Second: The consensus of Ahlus-Sunnah on the disbelief of anyone who slanders Aishah after her innocence was declared Many scholars have transmitted consensus on this matter. Qadi Iyad ibn Musa Al-Yahsubi said: "Whoever insults Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) regarding what Allah declared her innocent of is an unbeliever, without any disagreement." Abu Muhammad Ibn Hazm said: "The innocence of Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) is a Qur'anic text. Whoever denies Allah in that has disbelieved." Shaykh Al-Islam Ahmad ibn Abdil Halim Ibn Taymiyyah said: "Whoever accuses her of what Allah declared her innocent of has disbelieved, because he is denying the Qur'an." This is among the clearest issues of creed for Ahlus-Sunnah. Third: The difference between ordinary slander and denying the Qur'an A Muslim may commit the major sin of slander, accusing a Muslim man or woman of immorality — this is a grave major sin, and the prescribed punishment (hadd) is applied if proven. But slandering the Mother of the Believers after divine revelation declared her innocence is not mere slander; rather, it is: · Denial of revelation. · Rejection of verses known necessarily to be part of the religion. · An attack on the truthfulness of the Qur'an. Therefore, scholars distinguish between: · Someone who slanders an ordinary Muslim woman → this is an immoral person committing a major sin. · Someone who slanders Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) regarding what Allah declared her innocent of → this is a denier of the Qur'an, a disbeliever. Fourth: The danger of treating this issue lightly Treating this matter lightly opens the door to heresy and attacking the Qur'an under the guise of "jurisprudential disagreement" or "tolerance." If it were said that whoever denies the verses of Surah An-Nur is not a disbeliever, then what remains of the meaning of faith in the Qur'an at all? Indeed, this is among the most dangerous doors through which the Rawafid crept in to attack the Companions and the Mothers of the Believers, and through them to attack the entire religion. Fifth: What is required regarding such statements