UNGS 2050 : lecture

Things which nullify one’s Islam


Following are some beliefs and deeds that may nullify one’s Islam. Every Muslim should be aware of them and do his best to avoid them.

1. Associating partners with Allah (shirk). Allah (swt) says:
إِنَّهُ مَنْ يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَأْوَاهُ النَّارُ وَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍ(72)

“Truly, whosoever sets up partners with Allah, them Allah has forbidden the Garden for him, and the fire will be his abode. And for the wrongdoers there are no helpers.” (5: 72)

Calling upon the dead, asking their help, or offering them gifts or sacrifices are all form of shirk.

2. Setting up intermediaries in this life between oneself and Allah, making supplication to them, asking their intercession with Allah, and placing ones trust in them is a kind of shirk.

3. Not considering the polytheists (mushrikeen) to be unbelievers, or feeling doubt concerning their unbelief, or considering their religions to be correct.

4. Believing that any guidance is more perfect than the revelation of Allah and the Sunnah of Prophet. This applies to those who prefer the rule of Evil (Taghout) to the Prophet’s rule. Some examples of this are:

(a) To believe that systems and laws made by human beings are better than the Shariah of Islam; for example:
- That the principles of Islamic jurisprudence / law are not suitable for modern life.
- That Islam is the cause of the backwardness of the Muslims.
- That Islam is a mere relationship between Allah and people; and it should not interfere in other aspects of life.

(b) To believe that something which was definitely prohibited by Islam is permissible, such as adultery, drinking alcohol or usury … etc.

(c) To believe that something which was definitely enjoined by Islam is not an obligation, such as Prayers, Fasting, hijab (Islamic dress for women) ….etc.

5. Anyone who hates any part what the Messenger of Allah (saw) has declared to be lawful has nullified his Islam, even though he may act in accordance with it. Allah (swt) says regarding hypocrites:
ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَرِهُوا مَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ فَأَحْبَطَ أَعْمَالَهُمْ(9)
“This is because they hate what Allah has sent down, so he has made their deed fruitless.” (47:9)

6. Anyone who ridicules any aspect of Islam, or any of its rewards or punishments, becomes an unbeliever. Allah (swt) says :
قُلْ أَبِاللَّهِ وَآيَاتِهِ وَرَسُولِهِ كُنتُمْ تَسْتَهْزِئُونَ(65)لَا تَعْتَذِرُوا قَدْ كَفَرْتُمْ بَعْدَ إِيمَانِكُمْ
Say: "Was it at Allah, and His Signs, and His Messenger, that ye were mocking?" . Make no excuses: you have rejected Faith after you had believed it.” (9: 65-66)

7. The practice of magic that is causing a rift between a husband and wife by turning his love for her into hatred, or tempting a person to do things he dislikes using black arts. One who engages in such a thing by practicing or seeking it is considered to be outside the fold of Islam. Allah (swt) says:
وَمَا يُعَلِّمَانِ مِنْ أَحَدٍ حَتَّى يَقُولَا إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ فِتْنَةٌ فَلَا تَكْفُرْ
“ But neither of these two (angels, Harut and Marut) taught anyone (magic) till they had said: "Indeed ,we are only a trial; then do not disbelieve." (2: 102)

عن أبى هريرة رضى الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: اجتنبوا الموبقات الشرك بالله والسحر" (البخارى)
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said: “Avoid the Mubiqat (gross sins), i.e shirk and witchcraft.”

In this tradition witchcraft id combined with shirk. This indicates that they may carry the same rule and consequences.

8. Supporting and aiding polytheist against the Muslims. Allah (swt) says:
يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَتَّخِذُوا الْيَهُودَ وَالنَّصَارَى أَوْلِيَاءَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ وَمَنْ يَتَوَلَّهُمْ مِنْكُمْ فَإِنَّهُ مِنْهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ(51)
“Whoever among you takes them (Jews and Christians) as allies is surely one of them. Truly, Allah does not give guide the wrongdoers.” (5: 51)


9. Anyone who believes that some people are permitted to deviate from the shari’ah of Muhammad (saw) is an unbeliever by the word of Allah Most High:

وَمَنْ يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ الْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا فَلَنْ يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ مِنْ الْخَاسِرِينَ(85)

“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will not be accepted of him, and in the hereafter he will be from among the losers.” (3: 85)

10. To turn completely away from the religion of Allah neither learning its precepts nor acting upon it. Allah (swt) says:
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنْ ذُكِّرَ بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِ ثُمَّ أَعْرَضَ عَنْهَا إِنَّا مِنْ الْمُجْرِمِينَ مُنتَقِمُونَ(22)

“ And who does greater wrong than he who is reminded of the revelations of his Lord and turns aside therefrom. Truly, We shall exact retribution from the guilty.” (32: 22)

It makes no difference whether such violations are committed as a joke or in seriousness except when they are done under compulsion. (i.e. from threat of loss of life). In this case, when it is done under compulsion, the doer will be forgiven.