The Ruling on Wearing the Cross

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, does wearing the cross make one an apostate, or is it the act of one who commits a major sin? What is the detail in this matter?

Answer:
Does wearing the cross constitute a sin? It is a sin, and it is not permissible for a person to wear clothing that contains an image. Even an image is not allowed; a person may not wear a garment with an image of a human or an animal. It is not permissible for a person to wear a garment with an image. The cross is more severe because it is the symbol of disbelief, for it is worshipped alongside Allah, so it is the symbol of the disbelievers. Therefore, it is not permissible to wear it. However, the ignorant person is excused for his ignorance, or the one who did not know that it contained a cross, or the ignorant person who thought there was nothing on the garment. The ignorant person is excused for his ignorance. Yes. And if he wears it intentionally, this does not make him an apostate, even if he is intentional. It is said that this is a sin, and he remains a Muslim, but he wears it thinking there is no harm in it, so he is excused for his ignorance, even if he is not ignorant of what causes disbelief. It is said that this is a sin, and you know that one does not become a disbeliever by sins that are less than shirk (associating partners with Allah). This is the position of the people of the Sunnah and the community.