The Ruling on Declaring a Muslim a Disbeliever for Committing a Major Sin Other Than Shirk

Question:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh. This questioner asks: What is the ruling on declaring a Muslim a disbeliever for committing a major sin other than shirk (associating partners with Allah)?

Answer:
This is the position of the Khawarij. Declaring a Muslim a disbeliever for a major sin that is less than shirk and less than kufr (disbelief) is the position of the Khawarij. We ask Allah for safety from this. This is clear misguidance. It is feared that this person who declares others disbelievers will have his own declaration of disbelief returned to him, because if one says to a Muslim, "O disbeliever, O enemy of Allah," that returns upon him. It is feared that this person who does this will be replaced by what he attributed to that Muslim. Yes, it is obligatory to restrain the tongue from publicizing and labeling people as innovators, except according to the Shari'ah guidelines mentioned by the scholars in the books of creed, and when there is a need for it. If there is a need for it, and it meets the Shari'ah conditions mentioned in the books of creed, and a stronger benefit results from it, then there is no harm in clarifying it. But if there is no need for it, or if harm or fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) results from it, then a person should distance himself from these matters. Yes.