Question:
When is takfeer (declaring a Muslim to be a disbeliever)
permissible, and when is it not permissible? What type of takfeer is mentioned
in the Statement of Allaah: "And whoever does not rule by what Allaah
revealed, then these are the disbelievers." [Sooratul Maa`idah 5:44]?
Answer:
The Praise is due to Allaah Alone, and may Prayers and Peace
be upon His messenger, and his family, and his companions.
To Proceed:
So as for your statement 'When is takfeer permissible, and
when is it not permissible?', then we feel that you should explain what is
troubling you until we explain the ruling to you.
As for the type of takfeer in the Statement of Allaah:
"And whoever does not rule by what Allaah revealed,
then these are the disbelievers.",
then it is major disbelief (kufrun akbar). Al-Qurtubee said
in his tafseer [1]: "Ibn 'Abbaas and Mujaahid said: 'Whoever does not
judge by what Allaah revealed in rejection of the Qur`aan, and in denial of the
statement of the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), then he is a
disbeliever.'"
As for the one who rules by other than what Allaah revealed,
and he believes that he is sinning, but he rules by other than what Allaah
revealed, due to bribes paid to him, or other than that, or enmity to his constituents,
or closeness to them, or their friendship with him, or similar to that, then
this cannot be major disbelief. Rather, it is sin, and indeed it is disbelief
less than disbelief (kufrin doona kufrin), and oppression less than oppression
(dhulmin doona dhulmin), and disobedience less than disobedience (fisqin doona
fisqin).
And all success is with Allaah.
And may the Prayers and Peace of Allaah be upon our Prophet
Muhammad, and his family, and his Companions.
[1] This statement is taken from al-Jaami' li Ahkaamul
Qur`aan (6/188).
Permanent Committee for Research and Verdicts
Translated by Maaz Qureshi
