Is it among the characteristics of the Murji'ah that they deny takfir (declaring someone a disbeliever) in a general sense and apply the term kufr (disbelief) to deeds while referring the state of the heart to Allah?
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The questioner : Our Shaykh, is it among the characteristics of the Murji'ah that they deny takfir (declaring someone a disbeliever) in a general sense and apply the term kufr (disbelief) to deeds while referring the state of the heart to Allah?
The Shaykh : This answer has already been given: whoever denies something that he knows to be from the Shari'ah is a disbeliever. Is that not so?
The questioner : His intention is regarding the Murji'ah, meaning, is this a characteristic of them? Is this the question?
The Shaykh : Repeat the question.
The questioner : Is it among the characteristics of the Murji'ah that they deny takfir (declaring someone a disbeliever) in a general sense and apply the term kufr (disbelief) to deeds while referring the state of the heart to Allah?
The Shaykh : Yes. So the question concerns deeds, specifically deeds whose outward appearance is kufr (disbelief). We say here something, and this is one of the problems of the present age: they think that if the people of truth agree with the people of falsehood on a certain issue, they are included with them. This is the very essence of misguidance. Why? All Muslims, despite their severe differences among themselves, say: "La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadun rasul Allah" (There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah). Do we not say what they say? We say what they say. The Murji'ah may agree with us in not declaring someone a disbeliever unless he denies the ruling of the Shari'ah, but they differ from us in every way. Those who ask such a question look at the issue we are discussing with only one eye. We ask them: What is the position of the Murji'ah regarding faith? Does it increase and decrease? Are righteous deeds part of faith? They naturally say: No. Faith, in their view, relates only to what is in the heart. Faith, in our view, following the converging and mass-transmitted texts of the Book and the Sunnah, also includes righteous deeds. So what harm is there to us if the Murji'ah agree with us in not declaring a disbeliever one who has not denied the ruling of the Shari'ah, while we have differed from them on the foundation of faith, which is explicitly stated in the Book and the Sunnah? In that case, it is the same for us whether the Murji'ah, the Khawarij, or others agree with us. For example, the Khawarij declare someone a disbeliever for committing a major sin, but they believe that it is from Allah, and we share this belief with them. Does it harm us that we share this with them, while we have separated from them on that other aspect? It never harms us. If this is a verbal discussion not intended to reach the truth of the Shari'ah, have I answered you now?
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : This answer has already been given: whoever denies something that he knows to be from the Shari'ah is a disbeliever. Is that not so?
The questioner : His intention is regarding the Murji'ah, meaning, is this a characteristic of them? Is this the question?
The Shaykh : Repeat the question.
The questioner : Is it among the characteristics of the Murji'ah that they deny takfir (declaring someone a disbeliever) in a general sense and apply the term kufr (disbelief) to deeds while referring the state of the heart to Allah?
The Shaykh : Yes. So the question concerns deeds, specifically deeds whose outward appearance is kufr (disbelief). We say here something, and this is one of the problems of the present age: they think that if the people of truth agree with the people of falsehood on a certain issue, they are included with them. This is the very essence of misguidance. Why? All Muslims, despite their severe differences among themselves, say: "La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadun rasul Allah" (There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah). Do we not say what they say? We say what they say. The Murji'ah may agree with us in not declaring someone a disbeliever unless he denies the ruling of the Shari'ah, but they differ from us in every way. Those who ask such a question look at the issue we are discussing with only one eye. We ask them: What is the position of the Murji'ah regarding faith? Does it increase and decrease? Are righteous deeds part of faith? They naturally say: No. Faith, in their view, relates only to what is in the heart. Faith, in our view, following the converging and mass-transmitted texts of the Book and the Sunnah, also includes righteous deeds. So what harm is there to us if the Murji'ah agree with us in not declaring a disbeliever one who has not denied the ruling of the Shari'ah, while we have differed from them on the foundation of faith, which is explicitly stated in the Book and the Sunnah? In that case, it is the same for us whether the Murji'ah, the Khawarij, or others agree with us. For example, the Khawarij declare someone a disbeliever for committing a major sin, but they believe that it is from Allah, and we share this belief with them. Does it harm us that we share this with them, while we have separated from them on that other aspect? It never harms us. If this is a verbal discussion not intended to reach the truth of the Shari'ah, have I answered you now?
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
Source
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