3. Not Regarding the Mushrikeen as Kuffaar

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3. Not regarding the mushrikeen as kuffaar (disbelievers)

Whoever does not regard the mushrikeen as kuffaar (disbelievers) and doubts whether they are disbelievers, or regards their beliefs are sound, is himself a disbeliever.

With regard to this nullifier of Islam, there is scholarly consensus that the one who does this is a disbeliever. What is meant by the “mushrikeen” here is one who was originally a disbeliever. Connected to them are those who commit an act of apostasy on which the scholars are unanimously agreed that it is definitely apostasy, with regard to an issue that is well-known to be a fundamental part of the religion, such as one who denies the resurrection, or who rejects a verse of the Book of Allah, and other clear causes of apostasy concerning which there is no ambiguity.

Al-Qaadi ‘Iyaad (may Allah have mercy on him) narrated that there was scholarly consensus on this matter, and he said:

There is consensus that one who does not regard any of the Jews and Christians as disbelievers, or does not regard anyone who leaves the religion of the Muslims as a disbeliever, or does not take a stand with regard to this issue, or is unsure about it, is himself a disbeliever.

End quote from ash-Shifa’ (2/281)