What is the ruling on one who commits major shirk (associating partners with Allah) while ignorant of it?
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The questioner : Noble Shaykh, what is the ruling on one who commits major shirk (associating partners with Allah) while being ignorant of it?
The Shaykh : The ruling is that he owes nothing, but if he is called to the truth, it is obligatory for him to follow it. This scenario is not conceivable, meaning that one would be ignorant of major shirk (associating partners with Allah), except if he is a new convert to Islam or if he is in a remote desert far from scholars. This is the only case where it is conceivable. As for a man among the people, it appears that his ignorance of it is unlikely, and in that case, he is negligent in leaving off asking, and thus he is sinful. Yes.
The Shaykh : The ruling is that he owes nothing, but if he is called to the truth, it is obligatory for him to follow it. This scenario is not conceivable, meaning that one would be ignorant of major shirk (associating partners with Allah), except if he is a new convert to Islam or if he is in a remote desert far from scholars. This is the only case where it is conceivable. As for a man among the people, it appears that his ignorance of it is unlikely, and in that case, he is negligent in leaving off asking, and thus he is sinful. Yes.