Is the one who commits disbelief by insulting the religion, or insulting the Lord, or otherwise, called a disbeliever, even if he believes that it is a habit and not disbelief?

The questioner : Regarding the one who commits disbelief by insulting the religion, or insulting the Lord, or otherwise, is he called a disbeliever, even if he believes that it is a habit and not disbelief, the one who says, "It is a habit"?

The Shaykh : A person does not become a disbeliever except by denying what he entered into; he does not become a disbeliever except by denying what he entered into. Disbelief is of two types: verbal disbelief and creedal disbelief. Creedal disbelief is what takes its owner out of the religion. As for verbal disbelief, and among it is what you are saying now, that it is a habit, and what a bad habit that is, this does not make him a disbeliever. However, if there is an established legal ruling, he is disciplined, because those who utter these words are driven to do so by bad upbringing. So if there is a Muslim ruler, he would flog him or imprison him according to what he sees as in the public interest, and after that, you will not find anyone uttering the word of disbelief. Is the answer clear?

The questioner : He is not called a disbeliever.

The Shaykh : Yes, he is not called a disbeliever.