The Fourth Issue

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 permissibility (istiḥlāl) before declaring someone who insults the Prophet ﷺ as a disbeliever. He stated: «رأوا أن الإيمان هو: تصديق الرسول فيما أخبر به، ورأوا أن اعتقاد صدقه لا ينافي السب والشَّتْم ... فهذا مَأْخَذُ المرجئة ومعتضديهم، وهم الذين يقولون الإيمان هو: الاعتقاد، والقول» [الصارم المسلول ۳/٩٦٤)] "They believed that Ēmān is affirming the truthfulness of the Messenger in what he conveyed and thought that this belief does not contradict insulting and reviling him...This is the position of the Murji’ah and those who agree with them, who define Ēmān as belief and speech" [Aṣ-Ṣārim Al-Maslūl (3/964)] Below are some statements from the three scholars on this issue: Ibn Bāz, may Allāh have mercy on him, commenting on what is stated in the ’Aqīdah of Aṭ-Ṭaḥāwiyyah 'A person does not leave Ēmān except by rejecting what brought him into it', said: «هذا الحصر فيه نظر. وقد يخرج من الإسلام بغير الجحود، لأسباب كثيرة بيّنها أهل العلم في باب (حكم المرتد)، من ذلك: طَعْنُه في الإسلام، أو في النبي ﷺ» (الفتاوى ٨٣/٢). "This restriction is questionable. One may leave Islam without rejection, for many reasons which scholars have explained in the chapter on 'The Ruling on the Apostate.' Among these reasons are: defaming Islam or the Prophet ﷺ." [Fatāwa (83/2)]. Al-Albāni, summarising and affirming the words of Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allāh have mercy on them both, said: «لقد أفاد رحمه الله أنَّ الكفر نوعان: كُفْرُ عَمَل، وكُفْرُ جحود واعتقاد، وأنَّ كُفْرَ العمل ينقسم إلى: ما يُضَادُّ الإيمان، وإلى ما لا يُضَادُّه؛ فالسجود للصنم، والاستهانة بالمصحف، وقتل النبي، وسَبُّه؛ يُضَادُّ الإيمان» "He, may Allāh have mercy on him, clarified that disbelief is of two types: disbelief through actions and and disbelief through rejection and belief. He also explained that disbelief through actions can be of two kinds: that which nullifies Ēmān and that which does not. For example, prostrating to an idol, showing disdain for the Qur'ān, killing a Prophet, and insulting him all nullify Ēmān." [As-Silsilah Aṣ-Ṣaḥīḥah (7/134), under ḥadīth number 3054]. Ibn ’Uthaymīn, may Allāh have mercy on him, enumerating the conditions for declaring someone a disbeliever, said: «دلالة الكتاب أو السنة على أن هذا القول أو الفعل؛ مُوْجِبٌ للكُفْر» "There must be evidence from the Qur'ān or Sunnah indicating that this statement or action necessitates disbelief." [Al-Qawā’id Al-Muthlā, p. 149].