The Atheists and Scholars of Theology Interpret the Angels as Whispers and Thoughts; What is the Ruling on a Muslim Who Says This?

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. Your Eminence mentioned that these atheists and scholars of theology interpret the angels and the jinn as whispers and thoughts. Yes. And that there are no creatures called angels, nor creatures called jinn. Yes. And you mentioned, may Allah preserve you, that among the Muslims in this time there are those who say this interpretation. So is the one who says that considered a Muslim, even though he denied the creation of the angels?

Answer:
If he did it intentionally, he is not a Muslim. But if he is a follower of taqlid (following a scholar without knowing his evidence) or a transmitter, then he is considered mistaken and misguided, but he is not declared a disbeliever; he is excused due to his ignorance and lack of intent. Yes. And this meaning is present in the Tafsir al-Manar, as I mentioned to you, quoting from Muhammad 'Abduh, quoting from al-Ghazali. Yes. But we say that these people are disbelievers because they are followers of taqlid, because they are followers of taqlid and transmitters only; they did not originate this matter from themselves. Yes.