The Meaning of Disbelief: Regarding Defamation of Lineages and Lamentation over the Dead
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Q: What is the explanation of the hadith: Sahih Muslim 67, and what is the meaning of disbelief in this hadith?
A: This is an authentic hadith narrated by Muslim in his Sahih from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him). Defamation of lineages is disparaging people's lineages and criticizing them with the intention of belittling and blaming them. However, if it is in the nature of reporting information, such as saying "So-and-so is from Banu Tamim, and among their characteristics is such and such," or "he is from Qahtan, or from Quraysh, or from Banu Hashim," reporting their characteristics without defaming their lineages, then that is not defamation of lineages. As for lamentation, its meaning is raising the voice in weeping over the dead, and it is forbidden. The intended meaning of disbelief here is disbelief less than disbelief. It is not the absolute disbelief indicated by the definite article, as in his saying (peace and blessings be upon him):, which Muslim included in his Sahih. This is the major shirk (associating partners with Allah) according to the most correct opinion of the scholars.
The scholars have mentioned that disbelief is of two types, injustice is of two types, open sinfulness is of two types, and likewise shirk (associating partners with Allah) is of two types: major and minor. Major shirk is like calling upon the dead, seeking aid from them, or making vows for them, or for idols, trees, stones, or stars. Minor shirk is like saying "If not for Allah and so-and-so," or "What Allah willed and so-and-so willed." The obligatory thing is to say "If not for Allah, then so-and-so," and "What Allah willed, then so-and-so willed." Likewise, swearing by other than Allah, such as swearing by the Prophet, or by the life of so-and-so, or by trust, is from minor shirk.
Likewise, slight showing off in worship, such as seeking forgiveness so that people hear, or reciting to show off to people, is minor shirk. Injustice is of two types: major injustice, which is shirk (associating partners with Allah), as Allah the Exalted said: [Surat al-Baqarah: 254], and as He the Exalted said: [Surat al-An'am: 82].
As for minor injustice, it is like wronging people in their blood and wealth, and wronging oneself by committing sins such as unlawful sexual intercourse, drinking intoxicants, and the like. We seek refuge in Allah from that.
Two (things) are found among men which are tantamount to unbelief: slandering one's lineage and lamentation on the dead.
اثنتان في الناس هما بهم كفر: الطعن في الأنساب، والنياحة على الميتA: This is an authentic hadith narrated by Muslim in his Sahih from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him). Defamation of lineages is disparaging people's lineages and criticizing them with the intention of belittling and blaming them. However, if it is in the nature of reporting information, such as saying "So-and-so is from Banu Tamim, and among their characteristics is such and such," or "he is from Qahtan, or from Quraysh, or from Banu Hashim," reporting their characteristics without defaming their lineages, then that is not defamation of lineages. As for lamentation, its meaning is raising the voice in weeping over the dead, and it is forbidden. The intended meaning of disbelief here is disbelief less than disbelief. It is not the absolute disbelief indicated by the definite article, as in his saying (peace and blessings be upon him):
Between a man and disbelief and shirk (associating partners with Allah) is the abandonment of prayer.
بين الرجل وبين الكفر والشرك ترك الصلاةThe scholars have mentioned that disbelief is of two types, injustice is of two types, open sinfulness is of two types, and likewise shirk (associating partners with Allah) is of two types: major and minor. Major shirk is like calling upon the dead, seeking aid from them, or making vows for them, or for idols, trees, stones, or stars. Minor shirk is like saying "If not for Allah and so-and-so," or "What Allah willed and so-and-so willed." The obligatory thing is to say "If not for Allah, then so-and-so," and "What Allah willed, then so-and-so willed." Likewise, swearing by other than Allah, such as swearing by the Prophet, or by the life of so-and-so, or by trust, is from minor shirk.
Likewise, slight showing off in worship, such as seeking forgiveness so that people hear, or reciting to show off to people, is minor shirk. Injustice is of two types: major injustice, which is shirk (associating partners with Allah), as Allah the Exalted said:
And the disbelievers - they are the wrongdoers.
وَالْكَافِرُونَ هُمُ الظَّالِمُونَThey who believe and do not mix their belief with injustice - those will have security, and they are [rightly] guided.
الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَلَمْ يَلْبِسُوا إِيمَانَهُمْ بِظُلْمٍ أُولَئِكَ لَهُمُ الْأَمْنُ وَهُمْ مُهْتَدُونَAs for minor injustice, it is like wronging people in their blood and wealth, and wronging oneself by committing sins such as unlawful sexual intercourse, drinking intoxicants, and the like. We seek refuge in Allah from that.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.