Does one who falls into major shirk (associating partners with Allah) become a disbeliever, or is it necessary to establish the argument against him?
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The questioner : Yes, Shaykh. If one falls into major shirk (associating partners with Allah), such as calling for aid from other than Allah, or slaughtering for other than Him, is he called a disbeliever, or is it said that the argument must be established against him?
The Shaykh : Yes, every person who falls into shirk (associating partners with Allah), and his like is ignorant of it, is not judged to be a shirk (associating partners with Allah) until the argument is established against him. Just as one who falls into a sin other than shirk (associating partners with Allah) is not punished for it if his like is ignorant of it. For example, if a man commits zina (unlawful sexual intercourse) and he recently embraced Islam and does not know that zina (unlawful sexual intercourse) is forbidden (haram), we do not apply the hadd (fixed punishment) to him because he is ignorant. Likewise, the one who calls for aid from other than Allah or supplicates to other than Allah while he is ignorant, and we know that his like is ignorant of it, is not judged to be a disbeliever. This is because the verses are explicit and numerous in stating that one is not judged to be a disbeliever except after knowledge. Allah the Mighty and Majestic says:[Al-Qasas 28:59] And there is no injustice except through stubbornness and opposition.
And the Exalted says:[An-Nisa 4:165], thus clarifying that there is no argument for creation against Allah except if the Messenger is sent and they are informed that this is forbidden (haram) and this is shirk (associating partners with Allah). And the Exalted said: [Al-Isra 17:15], and the Exalted said: [An-Nisa 4:115].
And Allah Blessed and Exalted is He said:[At-Tawbah 9:115] The verses in this meaning are numerous. A person does not know what Allah Glorified and Exalted is He has forbidden except through knowledge from the messengers. If this person is a Muslim who prays, fasts, pays zakah (the obligatory alms), performs Hajj (the major pilgrimage), and calls for aid from other than Allah while not knowing that it is forbidden (haram), then he is a Muslim, but on the condition that his like is ignorant of it, such that he recently embraced Islam, or is in a land where this thing has spread and has become like a permissible (mubah) matter for them, and there are no scholars among them to clarify it for them. However, if he is in a land where tawhid (the oneness of Allah) is established and secure, his claim of ignorance may be a lie.
The questioner : Shaykh, these verses.
The Shaykh : One question.
The questioner : It is the same, Shaykh.
The Shaykh : There is no question, just one question.
The Shaykh : Yes, every person who falls into shirk (associating partners with Allah), and his like is ignorant of it, is not judged to be a shirk (associating partners with Allah) until the argument is established against him. Just as one who falls into a sin other than shirk (associating partners with Allah) is not punished for it if his like is ignorant of it. For example, if a man commits zina (unlawful sexual intercourse) and he recently embraced Islam and does not know that zina (unlawful sexual intercourse) is forbidden (haram), we do not apply the hadd (fixed punishment) to him because he is ignorant. Likewise, the one who calls for aid from other than Allah or supplicates to other than Allah while he is ignorant, and we know that his like is ignorant of it, is not judged to be a disbeliever. This is because the verses are explicit and numerous in stating that one is not judged to be a disbeliever except after knowledge. Allah the Mighty and Majestic says:
And never would your Lord have destroyed the cities until He had sent to their mother a messenger reciting to them Our verses. And We would not destroy the cities except while their people were wrongdoers.
وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ مُهْلِكَ الْقُرَى حَتَّى يَبْعَثَ فِي أُمِّهَا رَسُولاً يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِنَا وَمَا كُنَّا مُهْلِكِي الْقُرَى إِلَّا وَأَهْلُهَا ظَالِمُونَAnd the Exalted says:
[We sent] messengers as bringers of good tidings and warners so that mankind will have no argument against Allah after the messengers
رُسُلاً مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنْذِرِينَ لِئَلَّا يَكُونَ لِلنَّاسِ عَلَى اللَّهِ حُجَّةٌ بَعْدَ الرُّسُلِAnd never would We punish until We sent a messenger.
وَمَا كُنَّا مُعَذِّبِينَ حَتَّى نَبْعَثَ رَسُولاًAnd whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers - We will give him what he has taken and drive him into Hell, and evil it is as a destination.
وَمَنْ يُشَاقِقِ الرَّسُولَ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ الْهُدَى وَيَتَّبِعْ غَيْرَ سَبِيلِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ نُوَلِّهِ مَا تَوَلَّى وَنُصْلِهِ جَهَنَّمَ وَسَاءَتْ مَصِيراًAnd Allah Blessed and Exalted is He said:
And Allah would not let a people stray after He has guided them until He makes clear to them what they should avoid. Indeed, Allah is Knowing of all things.
وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُضِلَّ قَوْماً بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَاهُمْ حَتَّى يُبَيِّنَ لَهُمْ مَا يَتَّقُونَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌThe questioner : Shaykh, these verses.
The Shaykh : One question.
The questioner : It is the same, Shaykh.
The Shaykh : There is no question, just one question.