A Response to the Presentation of the Muslim and the Saying: Taqwa Is in the Heart

The questioner:
The Muslim. Yes.

The Shaykh:
Yes.

The questioner:
If it is to the extent that it is most likely that he is an open sinner.

The Shaykh:
How?

The questioner:
Does the Muslim defend the honor of his Muslim brother who is an open sinner if it is frequent?

The Shaykh:
If it is occasional, he does not defend him; rather, he defends his brother who is modest. He defends his brother's honor, and Allah will turn his face toward the Fire on the Day of Resurrection. As for the one who displays open sinfulness, there is no harm. The one who displays lewdness, drinking intoxicants in the markets, and cursing people in the markets, and the like of that—if what is said about him is what he has displayed, it is not harmful.

The questioner:
True.

The Shaykh:
No, this is acceptable; he defends him. Welcome. Yes. I say a word of truth and he refutes it with falsehood, saying, "Taqwa is here" and "good purification." A word of truth must be given to him with certainty. Yes.

The questioner:
First, is it easy for you? Is this speech considered a type of the doctrine of the Murji'ah? He says, "Taqwa is in the heart." Is he considered a Murji'i?

The Shaykh:
No, the intention is that he is considered one who wrongs himself, or one who is rude in his response. He should have said, "May Allah reward you with good," or "I ask Allah to guide me," or "Protect me from Satan," or "Pray to Allah for me, my brother." This is how he should speak. He should not say, "Taqwa is the limit for him." If he said, "O Allah, guide me," or "Pray to Allah for me for guidance," or "Ask Allah for success for me," or the like of that, may Allah reward you with good. This is the correct answer. And if his faith were in his heart, he would have been upright.

The questioner:
Its meaning remains here, meaning.

The Shaykh:
If he says this, because the chest is the location of the heart.

The questioner:
May Allah reward you.