We request an explanation of the statement of Shaykh al-Islam Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab in *Bayan Nawaqid al-Islam* (The Nullifiers of Islam), where he said:
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The questioner : There is a statement by Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab (may Allah have mercy on him) regarding the nullifiers of Islam.
The Shaykh : Regarding what?
The questioner: The nullifiers of Islam. He says: “Turning away from the religion of Allah, not learning it and not acting upon it,” and the evidence is[As-Sajdah 32:22]. We request an explanation of this statement, meaning how is one declared a disbeliever for committing this act of turning away from the religion of Allah, not learning it and not acting upon it?
The Shaykh : I understand “turning away” here in the same way I understand the term “disbelief” in the places in the Book and the Sunnah where “disbelief” is mentioned. I understand that disbelief is of two types: doctrinal disbelief and practical disbelief. Likewise, I say—and there is no need for detail, because I believe that, as I think, and Allah knows best, you know the difference between doctrinal disbelief and practical disbelief; is that not so?
The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, and therefore there is no need for detail. But I say that turning away is like disbelief: it is either an action, or it is an action and a belief. If the turning away includes the belief, it is doctrinal disbelief. If it does not include the belief, it is like practical disbelief, and there is no problem with that. In other words, we can say that the verse explicitly means, where it says:, i.e., “Who is more unjust?” It means turning away of the heart, not just turning away in action. It means doctrinal disbelief. Is that clear?
The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh : This is my answer.
The Shaykh : Regarding what?
The questioner: The nullifiers of Islam. He says: “Turning away from the religion of Allah, not learning it and not acting upon it,” and the evidence is
And who is more unjust than one who is reminded of the verses of his Lord; then he turns away from them
ومن أظلم ممن ذكر بآيات ربه ثم أعرض عنهاThe Shaykh : I understand “turning away” here in the same way I understand the term “disbelief” in the places in the Book and the Sunnah where “disbelief” is mentioned. I understand that disbelief is of two types: doctrinal disbelief and practical disbelief. Likewise, I say—and there is no need for detail, because I believe that, as I think, and Allah knows best, you know the difference between doctrinal disbelief and practical disbelief; is that not so?
The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, and therefore there is no need for detail. But I say that turning away is like disbelief: it is either an action, or it is an action and a belief. If the turning away includes the belief, it is doctrinal disbelief. If it does not include the belief, it is like practical disbelief, and there is no problem with that. In other words, we can say that the verse explicitly means, where it says:
And who is more unjust
ومن أظلمThe questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh : This is my answer.
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.