The Ruling on the Term "Kufr" in the Prophetic Hadiths

Question:
May Allah reward you. This questioner says: Honorable Shaykh, does the term "kufr" (disbelief) in the Prophetic hadiths always mean expulsion from the religion? Please inform us about this.

Answer:
May Allah reward you. Expulsion from the religion occurs because it is major shirk (associating partners with Allah). What expels one from the religion is major kufr (disbelief), and what does not expel one from the religion is minor kufr, such as swearing by other than Allah, or fighting a Muslim. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: This means minor kufr. Does it expel one from the religion? One who intentionally and aggressively insults a person does not commit kufr under any condition. He commits kufr because he has committed a major sin among the major sins and is threatened with severe punishment. He does not exit Islam unless he considers killing a Muslim permissible; in that case, he commits kufr.