The Difference Between the Fasiq and the Fajir

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah inform you, what is the limit of your saying that someone is a fasiq or a fajir? Is there a difference between them? And is it correct for a man to say to another that he is a fasiq if, for example, he is in a state of prayer or swearing by his hand?

Answer:
The fasiq and the fajir is the one who commits a major sin from the major sins, such as zina (unlawful sexual intercourse), theft, drinking khamr (intoxicants), and consuming riba (usury or interest). This is the fasiq: the one who commits a major sin from the major sins, short of shirk (associating partners with Allah), is a fasiq. He is called a fajir, meaning he has gone out from obedience to Him. As for the one who commits a minor sin and a prohibited act but does not reach the level of a major sin, he is not called a fajir or a kafir (disbeliever), but he is called a sinner and one who has committed a sin. And [Allah] said, "We avert from you disbelief, open sinfulness, and disobedience," so He divided the violations into three categories: kufr (disbelief), fisq (open sinfulness), and disobedience.