Is every one who abandons the Sunnah a disbeliever?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh. This questioner says: Is every one who abandons the Sunnah a disbeliever?

Answer:
There is a distinction here, because it may be that the hadith did not reach him, or that it reached him but was not authenticated for him, though it was authenticated for others. It may be that it reached him and was authenticated for him, but he interpreted it with an interpretation that became clear to him and did not become clear to others, or he interpreted it with an interpretation that became clear to him but is not the correct interpretation, whereas the correct interpretation is clear to others. They have excuses in this matter. For this reason, the Shaykh al-Islam (may Allah have mercy on him) authored a treatise titled *Raf' al-Malam 'an al-A'immah al-A'lam* (Lifting Blame from the Renowned Scholars) and mentioned their excuses. So if he has an excuse, he is not declared a misguidance, but it is said that he erred; it is said that he erred. But if he is doing it intentionally, there is no doubt that he is declared a misguidance or a disbeliever. Yes.