A man who claims to be a Muslim but falls into acts of disbelief, and is remote such that the proof cannot be established against him; what is his ruling?
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The questioner : Shaykh, may Allah bless you, if it is a man, a remote man.
The Shaykh : If it is a man.
The questioner : Yes, one who claims to be a Muslim.
The Shaykh : Far?
The questioner : Yes, meaning it is not possible to debate him or establish the proof against him, or the like, but he claims to be a Muslim, yet things are reported about him, and he says things that are major acts of disbelief. So for such a person, do we withhold declaring him a disbeliever until the proof is established, or what is the position?
The Shaykh : It appears that this is like Pharaoh, arrogant. According to what you are saying now, he does not care about anyone, and does not look into the evidence, or anything. But yes, if it is assumed that he believes that his followers are more knowledgeable than these scholars, and he believes that these scholars do not have knowledge, then he may be excused.
The Shaykh : If it is a man.
The questioner : Yes, one who claims to be a Muslim.
The Shaykh : Far?
The questioner : Yes, meaning it is not possible to debate him or establish the proof against him, or the like, but he claims to be a Muslim, yet things are reported about him, and he says things that are major acts of disbelief. So for such a person, do we withhold declaring him a disbeliever until the proof is established, or what is the position?
The Shaykh : It appears that this is like Pharaoh, arrogant. According to what you are saying now, he does not care about anyone, and does not look into the evidence, or anything. But yes, if it is assumed that he believes that his followers are more knowledgeable than these scholars, and he believes that these scholars do not have knowledge, then he may be excused.