The ruling on one who is lax in obedience and engages in sins

Question:
The Shaykh (may Allah preserve him) was a pious man who was steadfast in his obedience, consistent in his conduct, but after a while he began to be lazy and negligent, and he started to let go of acts of obedience one after another, and it is possible that he took some things in his hand and let loose his tongue with some words that he used to be careful to avoid. So, is this apostasy? And what is the ruling on that?

Answer:
No, he does not become an apostate. This is a matter of sins and violations for which he must repent, and it is not considered apostasy. Whether he grows his beard or cuts it, or lets his garment hang below the ankles, these are sins. Even his consumption of riba (usury or interest) is not considered apostasy unless he deems it permissible, unless he says that it is lawful. This is considered a major sin among the major sins, a major sin among the major sins, and it is not considered apostasy unless he deems it permissible and says, "This is lawful." Only then does he become a disbeliever.