BENEFIT 242: Beware of Mass Takfeer

Sheikh Sulaymān Ar-Ruhaili said: "It should be understood, O respected ones, that this invalidator (من لم يكفر المشركين أو شك فى كفرهم...) pertains to those whom: A. The scholars unanimously agree are disbelievers, OR B. Evidence indicates their disbelief, and where all the necessary conditions are met, and there are no impediments, even if the scholars have not unanimously agreed on their disbelief. If the scholars have unanimously agreed on someone's disbelief, and yet someone else refrains from declaring them a disbeliever, doubts their disbelief, or validates the belief that led to their disbelief, then this person has nullified their own Islam. Likewise, if evidence proves someone's disbelief—even in the absence of consensus, or even if there is a recorded difference of opinion— and all the conditions are met, and there are no impediments, then failing to declare that person a disbeliever also nullifies one's Islam. However, if someone refrains from declaring a specific individual a disbeliever due to a belief that a condition is not met or an impediment exists, while still acknowledging that the act or statement in question constitutes disbelief based on evidence, then THIS PERSON IS NOT TO BE DECLARED A DISBELIEVER, nor is it said that they have nullified their Islam. With greater reason, if someone believes that the individual in question did not commit the act of disbelief at all, and thus does not declare them a disbeliever, then they themselves are not a disbeliever; in fact, DECLARING THEM A DISBELIEVER WOULD BE AN ACT OF AGGRESSION AND INJUSTICE. The practice of indiscriminately declaring people disbelievers, especially by labeling an individual as a disbeliever and then declaring anyone who does not share this view as disbelievers themselves, amounts to an act of aggression, injustice, and a violation of Allah's religion. Citing this invalidator or referencing what was mentioned by Shaykh Al-Islam as evidence is a flawed argument, as this is not what the scholars intended. The leaders of the Da'wah (أئمة الدعوة) have clarified this matter in their writings: IT IS NOT THE CASE THAT EVERYONE YOU CONSIDER A DISBELIEVER, anyone who doubts their disbelief or refrains from declaring them a disbeliever, BECOMES A DISBELIEVER! Rather, the person who is considered a disbeliever is: A. The one who does not declare disbelief upon someone who is unanimously agreed to be a disbeliever, OR B. The one for whom evidence of disbelief has been established, all conditions are met, and there are no impediments, and a competent and pious scholar has ruled them a disbeliever. If, despite being aware of all this, someone refrains from declaring them a disbeliever, this constitutes nullification [of Islam]. Anything outside of this does not nullify Islam. In fact, if a person believes that the individual in question did not commit an act of disbelief at all, it is OBLIGATORY for them NOT to declare them a disbeliever. Or, if they believe that the individual’s actions do not amount to disbelief, then they must not declare them a disbeliever. Or, if they believe that the individual, despite committing an act of disbelief, did not meet all the necessary conditions, or there existed an impediment—meaning a condition was not fulfilled or an impediment was present—and they do not declare them a disbeliever, this does not nullify their Islam." @almanhajussalafi