Is it permissible for a layperson to declare someone a disbeliever?
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Question:
Many people who claim to follow the Salafi methodology condition the establishment of the argument on it being done by scholars. So if a layperson encounters a statement of disbelief, he says to him: No, do not declare him a disbeliever?
Answer:
Establishing the evidence, this is establishing the argument, each according to his own situation.
Q: But is it obligatory for a layperson to declare a disbeliever one in whom disbelief has been established?
A: If disbelief is established against him, he is a disbeliever, and what is the obstacle? If what necessitates his disbelief is established with him, he declares him a disbeliever. For example: Abu Jahl, Abu Talib, Utbah ibn Rabi'ah, and Shaybah ibn Rabi'ah. The evidence is that they died upon disbelief. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) killed them as disbelievers on the day of Badr.
Q: Is a layperson prevented from declaring someone a disbeliever?
A: A layperson does not declare someone a disbeliever except with evidence. A layperson does not have knowledge; he is a poor soul. But if he has knowledge of a specific matter, such as one who denies the prohibition of zina, then this is disbelief in the view of both the general public and the specialists. There is no doubt. If one says: Zina is lawful, it is disbelief in the view of everyone; the general public and others. This does not require evidence. Or if he says: Associating partners with Allah is permissible, and it is permissible for people to worship other than Allah. Does anyone doubt this? It does not require evidence. If he says: It is permissible for people to worship idols, and to worship stars, and to worship the jinn; it is disbelief.
One should refrain from declaring disbelief in ambiguous matters that may be hidden from a layperson, or if a person says: You see, prayer is not obligatory. Whoever wishes prays, and whoever wishes does not pray.
Many people who claim to follow the Salafi methodology condition the establishment of the argument on it being done by scholars. So if a layperson encounters a statement of disbelief, he says to him: No, do not declare him a disbeliever?
Answer:
Establishing the evidence, this is establishing the argument, each according to his own situation.
Q: But is it obligatory for a layperson to declare a disbeliever one in whom disbelief has been established?
A: If disbelief is established against him, he is a disbeliever, and what is the obstacle? If what necessitates his disbelief is established with him, he declares him a disbeliever. For example: Abu Jahl, Abu Talib, Utbah ibn Rabi'ah, and Shaybah ibn Rabi'ah. The evidence is that they died upon disbelief. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) killed them as disbelievers on the day of Badr.
Q: Is a layperson prevented from declaring someone a disbeliever?
A: A layperson does not declare someone a disbeliever except with evidence. A layperson does not have knowledge; he is a poor soul. But if he has knowledge of a specific matter, such as one who denies the prohibition of zina, then this is disbelief in the view of both the general public and the specialists. There is no doubt. If one says: Zina is lawful, it is disbelief in the view of everyone; the general public and others. This does not require evidence. Or if he says: Associating partners with Allah is permissible, and it is permissible for people to worship other than Allah. Does anyone doubt this? It does not require evidence. If he says: It is permissible for people to worship idols, and to worship stars, and to worship the jinn; it is disbelief.
One should refrain from declaring disbelief in ambiguous matters that may be hidden from a layperson, or if a person says: You see, prayer is not obligatory. Whoever wishes prays, and whoever wishes does not pray.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.