Describing the states that do not rule by the law of Allah

The questioner:
Shaykh 'Abd al-'Aziz, regarding the path to disbelief: As for the Islamic states that do not rule by the Book of Allah and the law of Allah, does a sin attach to us if we say that these states are disbelievers?

The Shaykh:
There is a distinction here. The one that considers its laws to be good, sound, and permissible, and that there is no harm in leaving the ruling of Allah, is a disbeliever. As for the one that knows that the ruling of Allah is obligatory upon it, and knows that it is disobedient and that it is mistaken, and that this is a sin upon it, this one is not a disbeliever; it is disobedient, and it has a great sin and a major transgression, which is disbelief less than disbelief. However, if it says that the laws are permissible, or that they are better than the ruling of Allah, this is major shirk (associating partners with Allah) and apostasy from Islam. We seek refuge in Allah.

Another questioner:
Remember.

The Shaykh:
Yes.