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“The Imaams of Najd Vs The Murji’ah” On The Eighth Nullification

And as for the claim “Assisting the infidels against Muslims is not Kuffr, unless it is done out of love for Kuffr, or hate against Islam- only then is it apostasy. But if it is only done for worldly benefit, or Khawf (Fear), then it is not apostasy.”

The stop and consider: “Loving” Kuffr and the Kuffar, or hating Islam and the Muslims, or desiring to see the subjugation of Muslims – each of these are apostasy within themselves – meaning by themselves (Bi Thaatihi). This type of apostasy does not require for someone to lift a finger against the Muslims. Such a person is a Kaffir Murtadd before he does any action or utters any words.

If someone even wages war against the Kuffar and assists the Muslims in every way – while at the same time he loves Kuffr or hates Islam – then he is still a Kaffir! [1]

And no Muslim would disagree with this fact. So after this is established – Then here is the big question to the Murji’ah “Do you then believe that the action of the Muthaaharah (the Eighth Nullification of Islam) is not Kuffr by itself ??”

The answer is obvious - they do not view that Muthaaharah is a Nullification by itself, unless it is accompanied by something of the unseen affairs of the heart, such as loving Kuffr, hating Islam, Istihlaal etc. And obviously this is in direct contradiction to the Salaf. And the only reason the Murji’ah stipulate these new revolutionary conditions is only to please the Tawagheet. And this desire of theirs is not an unseen matter rather it is manifestly open.

Maybe we should quote Shaykh Salih al-Fawzaan here[2] when he was asked, “By What can someone commit the Major Kuffr (Kuffr Akbar) and apostasy? Is it specific to only beliefs (such as love and hatred) and rejection and disbelief – or is it more comprehensive than these?”

So he answered, “Kuffr and Riddha can happen when someone perpetrates any Nullification from the Nullifications of Islam, which are well known to the People of Knowledge. So whosoever commits any of them (Nullification) while not being in the type of ignorance which is excusable – then he indeed becomes an apostate and an infidel; And it is obligatory that we only judge according to the external displays (Thaahir) from his statements and actions. And we have no choice except to only just according to the external signs (actions). As for the affairs of the heart (such as love, hatred, Istihlaal) – then none knows this except Allah (the most high) alone.

Thus, whoever utters Kuffr or does an action of Kuffr – then we decide upon him in accordance to his utterance and in accordance with whatever is necessitated by his statements or by his actions. So if what he uttered or did was from the actions of apostasy – unless he was a Mukrah or ignorant with the type of ignorance that is excusable – then he is an apostate. And this is regarding the matters of Aqidah [3] which are clear in the Kitaab and Sunnah, such as the Major Shirk and Major Kuffr. But as for the subtle and complicated matters, then indeed there needs to be Iqaamat al-Hujjah in such a manner which he should be able to understand.” [Refer to Shaykh’s book, “Masaa’il Fi al-Imaan”, this was the first question in the book]

And also Shaykh Salih al-Fawzaan also said in his Sharh of Kashf ash-Shubuhaat, “And yet, there exists another group who says, “No matter what they do or say, they should not be ruled upon as Kuffar or Mushrikeen, until what is in their hearts is known.” Ya SubhaanAllah ! O Allah ! Glory be to you ! Are we the one who know what is in the hearts or is it Allah (swt) ?!”

And as well the Shaykh said the following in his Sharh Kashf ash-Shubuhaat (163-164): “So in summary, those who commit Kuffr do not exceed out of four situations:

a) He believes in his heart in what he says. There is no doubt about his Kuffr (disbelief, infidelity, apostasy)

b) He does not believe in his heart in what he says, but he was not forced to say it. Rather he said is because of greediness for the worldly life or to please the people and be in harmony with them. So indeed this person is a Kaffir according to the Verse of the Qur’an, “That is because they loved and preferred the life of this world over that of the Hereafter”. And likewise is the ruling on the person who commits Kuffr or Shirk, so that he can be in harmony with his people – even if he does not like Kuffr nor Shirk and does not believe in it, but only does it because of his love for his country, wealth or relatives .

c) He utters words of Kuffr jokingly for amusement – as it was seen from the troops mentioned before. [See Tafasir of the verse in at-Tawbah: 65-66]

d) He says (or commits) Kuffr because he was coerced, not because of his preference, while his heart is firm upon Imaan and Tawhid. So this is someone who will be pardoned because he was under coercion.

As for the first three situations, the person becomes Kaffir, as is clear from the verses. [4]

And this refutes those who say that no one can be declared Kaffir, even if he speaks with Kuffr or does actions of Kuffr, until what is in his heart is known. And this is an evil saying which contradicts the Quran and Sunnah. Rather it is the saying of the heretical Murji’ah.”

And then these people of Irjaa and Tajahhum have claimed that collaborating with the Kuffar against the Muslims is not Kuffr unless the collaborator “loves Kuffr” or “hates Islam”; and this cult also claims that if he loves Islam and hates Kuffr then he is still a Muslim.

Shaykh Naser al-Fahd (May Allah swt free him) said regarding such people, “They have based the opinion regarding Muthaaharah upon the foundation of Jahm Ibn Safwaan in Irjaa – meaning that they refer the Nullifications of actions and statements back to the affairs of the heart. So they consider the collaborator and supporter of the Kuffar against the Muslims or not having committed Kuffr until he openly admits that he is pleased with the religion of Kuffr. So this opinion of theirs implies that if someone attaches himself to Islam and yet leads the armies of the Crusaders against the Muslims, such a leader not become a Kaffir (according to their deviant opinion).”[5]

And then Shaykh Naser al-Fahd (May Allah swt free him) says something that completely uproots the deception of the Followers of Irjaa and Tajahhum, So think upon this closely…

If Muthaaharah is a Nullification, but not by itself (Bi Thaatihi) – and if it is apostasy only if it is conjoined with “hatred against Islam” and “love for Kuffr” --- Then it is possible to say that every single action (or statement) is a Nullification of Islam and Apostasy ! Since if someone scratches his own head which in his heart he loves Kuffr then he has become a Kaffir ! And not only this – This opinion also includes the Waajibaat (obligatory actions) such as Salaat and Zakaat etc. Thus, if someone prays Salaat while he hates Islam – then his Salaat is a Nullification of Islam and he has become a apostate for praying Salaat !! – And thus, it is also permissible according to the implication of their views, that Riba (usury) be listed along with the Nullifications - if you have understood the above examples. Brothers of Tawhid ! This is the reality of the Murji’ah so fear Allah (swt)![6]

So let us read what the Salaf have said, whether or not a Muslim apostatises if he collaborates with the Mushrikeen against the Muslims while still “loving Islam” and “hating Kuffr” in his “heart”.

So Shaykh Sulayman Ibn ‘Abdillah (Rahimuhullah) said, “Know, may Allah have mercy upon you, that: If a person displays Muwaafaqah (harmony, compliance, agreement) with the Mushrikeen regarding their Din[7] - out of Khawf (fear) from them, Mudaaraah (companionship, friendliness, lenience) towards them, or Mudhaahanah (compromising, flattery, adulation, deceipt) to repel their evil; then verily, he is a Kaffir just like them, even if he despises their religion and hates them, and loves Islam and the Muslims.” [Refer to the beginning of Ad-Dalaail Fee Hukm Muwalaat Ahl Al Ishraak]

Imam Hamad Ibn Atiq (Rahimuhullah) said, “Indeed, assisting the Mushrikeen against the Muslims (Muthaaharah) and revealing to them hidden plans of the Muslims, or defending them with speech, or being pleased with what (Shirk) they are upon - each one of these is a Nullification; Thus whosoever does any of these - without being under Ikrah – then he is a Murtadd (apostate) - even if he hates the Kuffar and loves the Muslims.” [Ad-Difaa An Ahl as-Sunnah Wal-Ittbaa” (31)]

And also read carefully the words of the Imam that have preceded, “That he harmonizes with them externally (with speech and actions), while being against them internally (hating them in the heart). And this is further divided into two categories…”

And against Shaykh Sulayman Ibn ‘Abdillah (Rahimuhullah) said, “Then he (the most high) informed that the reason for this Kuffr and eternal punishment - is not because the believed in Shirk, not because of ignorance about Tawhid, nor because of hatred for the Din; not because of love for Kuffr --- Rather, the reason is merely because of a bit from the bits of the Dunya (worldly life) which he preferred above the Din and the please of the Lord of the Worlds. So he said,

That is because they loved and preferred the life of this world over that of the Hereafter. And Allah guides not the people who disbelieve.” [an-Nahl 106-107] [8]

So these should be enough evidence for he whom Allah (swt) wants to guide to Tawhid and Hanifiyyah.

[1] Similarly, if someone makes Istihlaal of other than Allah’s (swt) legislation, then he has become a Kaffir – even if he judges with only the Shariah. So in the opinion of the Murji’ah, none of the Ten Nullifications is Kuffr and apostasy within itself – unless it is agreed with something from the heart – which is the very fundamental principle of Irjaa’ – in direct opposition to Ahlus-Sunnah.

[2] Some of the statements of the scholars of the government have been used here, even though they are deviant in many other aspects of the Deen, but some of their words are valid and strong against the Murji’ah ­- so those words have been brought here and used to support the refutations against them.

[3] Remember that Aqidah includes belief, statements of the tongue and actions of the limbs.

[4] “Whoever disbelieved in Allah after his belief, except him who is forced thereto and whose heart is at rest with Faith but such as open their breasts to disbelief, on them is wrath from Allah, and theirs will be a great torment. That is because they loved and preferred the life of this world over that of the Hereafter. And Allah guides not the people who disbelieve.” [an-Nahl 106-107]

[5] Refer to “Waqafaat Ma’a Al-Waqafaat” by Shaykh Naser al-Fahd. The Shaykh also gives a beautiful example regarding the Qusuriyyah.  He points out that just as the Quburiyyah do not make Takfir for calling out to the dead saints, unless the caller believes in his heart that the saint can benefit or harm; Similarly the Qusuriyyah do not make Takfir for Muthaaharah unless the collaborator in his heart loves Kuffr or hates Islam. Both are Murji’ah who refer the Nullifying actions of Islam back to the unseen (Ghayb) affairs of the heart.

[6] O Brethren ! If you have not understood this - then read this again slowly - for when you do understand this, you will realise the evil wickedness of the Jahmi styled Murji’ah. For example, other actions which are Nullifications of Islam, like slaughtering for other than Allah. Take the Quburiyyah, they will say that if it is done intending Kuffr, the it is Kuffr, but if it is not done for Kuffr, then it is not Kuffr. But according to Ahlus-Sunnah, both actions, Muthaaharat al-Kuffar and Thabh Li-Ghayrillah are Nullifications of Islam - regardless the affairs of the heart.

[7] In this context, Din is meant as “way of life” or “desires” and Imaam Hamad Ibn Atiq an-Najdi in his book “Sabil An-Najaati Wal-Fikaak” clarifies this with many evidences.

[8] Refer to “Ad-Dalaail”, under the fourteenth evidence. 

From muwahideen.tk