What is the criterion for declaring something permissible that renders a servant a disbeliever?
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The questioner : May Allah preserve you and reward you. What is the criterion for declaring something permissible that renders a servant a disbeliever?
The Shaykh : Declaring something permissible means believing that what Allah has forbidden is lawful. As for the actual act of declaring something permissible, one looks at whether the act itself is one that renders a person a disbeliever. If it is, then he is a disbeliever by virtue of what he did. For example, if a person deals in riba (usury or interest) but does not believe it is lawful, yet he persists in it, he does not become a disbeliever because he does not declare it permissible. However, if he says that riba is lawful, meaning the riba that Allah has forbidden, then he becomes a disbeliever because he is denying Allah and His Messenger.
So, declaring something permissible is either an actual act or a belief in the heart. The actual act is judged by the act itself: does it render a person a disbeliever or not? It is well known that consuming riba does not render a person a disbeliever, but it is among the major sins.
And if one prostrates to an idol, that renders a person a disbeliever. Why?
Because the act itself renders a person a disbeliever. This is the criterion.
Then, there is another necessary condition, which is that the one who declares something permissible must not be excused due to ignorance. If he is excused due to ignorance, he does not become a disbeliever. For example, if a person is a new Muslim who does not know that intoxicants are forbidden, then even if he declares them permissible, he does not become a disbeliever until he is taught that they are forbidden. If he persists after being taught, he becomes a disbeliever.
The Shaykh : Declaring something permissible means believing that what Allah has forbidden is lawful. As for the actual act of declaring something permissible, one looks at whether the act itself is one that renders a person a disbeliever. If it is, then he is a disbeliever by virtue of what he did. For example, if a person deals in riba (usury or interest) but does not believe it is lawful, yet he persists in it, he does not become a disbeliever because he does not declare it permissible. However, if he says that riba is lawful, meaning the riba that Allah has forbidden, then he becomes a disbeliever because he is denying Allah and His Messenger.
So, declaring something permissible is either an actual act or a belief in the heart. The actual act is judged by the act itself: does it render a person a disbeliever or not? It is well known that consuming riba does not render a person a disbeliever, but it is among the major sins.
And if one prostrates to an idol, that renders a person a disbeliever. Why?
Because the act itself renders a person a disbeliever. This is the criterion.
Then, there is another necessary condition, which is that the one who declares something permissible must not be excused due to ignorance. If he is excused due to ignorance, he does not become a disbeliever. For example, if a person is a new Muslim who does not know that intoxicants are forbidden, then even if he declares them permissible, he does not become a disbeliever until he is taught that they are forbidden. If he persists after being taught, he becomes a disbeliever.