Indeed all praises are due to Allah, we praise Him, we seek His help, we ask for His forgiveness, and we rely solely on Him. We seek His refuge from the evil in our souls and from our wicked deeds. Whoever Allah guides, no one can misguide. And whomever Allah misguides, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah, He is One, with no partners, and I testify that Mohammad (pbuh)  is His Messenger and His slave. 

Read Part I : Iman - Reality of Iman (1)

PART II:  DIFFERENCES OF AHLUS-SUNNAH WITH OTHER SECTS

Murjia ( مرجعئة ):

Murjia ( مرجعئة ): believes that Iman only includes knowing (المعرفه ) and testifying (التصديق ). Declaring shahada (شهاده - testimony of faith) is enough to have Iman. They do not consider commitment (الالتزام) to be part of Iman. 

Khawarij ( خوارج ):

Khawarij ( خوارج ): believes that Iman includes knowing (المعرفه ) , testifying (التصديق) and commitment (الالتزام). The commitment includes both the intentions and actually carrying out all the obligatory duties. According to them any one missing out on any obligatory duty is out of Islam, and becomes non-believer. That is to say that if the Muslim is not perfect, he is not a Muslim, and as soon as he commits any sins, he becomes non-believer. 

Ahlus-Sunnah (اهل السنّة):

Ahlus-Sunnah (اهل السنّة): believes that minimum level of Iman is knowing it (المعرفه), testify it (التصديق) and have commitment to perform all duties as required by Shariah, to save from hell fire. And this commitment is serious enough that forces him to make action to fulfill his obligatory duties. As a complete inaction mean no level of Iman exists. And if a Muslim fails to perform some of his obligatory duties, the fact is that he remains a Muslim, even though that he will be judged by Allah for not full filling them. And the Obligatory Iman may increase or decrease depending upon the individual’s situation and his heart and only Allah alone can judge his situation.

Chart explains difference in understanding of Iman

Then whoever believe that a person with correct belief (عقيدة) is to be considered Muslims (that he doesn’t have to do actions), then such is definition of Murjia (مرجعئة) sect. They believed Iman to be just simply belief in heart (اعتقاد) and did not count action to be part of it.

Whereas Khawarij (خوارج) declared the sinner as non-believer. They gave sin (معصية) status of kufr (كفر). The truth of the matter is, if a sinner involved in sinful deeds, he remains in the fold of Islam, except that if he declare the sin as allowed (حلال). However, if he considered the sin to be prohibited (حرام), but still engaged in it due to his uncontrolled desire, he is still considered within the fold of Islam.  

Here we note that sin can be of two types, either it’s a sin (أعمال المعصية) or it’s an action of Kufr (أعمال الكفر). Ahlus-Sunnah maintained the difference between them. They said to declare one non-believer (كافر) either the person has corrupt believes (that makes his disbeliever) or he engaged in actions of Kufr, because his action attest his belief in heart. However, they did not considered actions of sin (أعمال المعصية) as Kufr, until the person engage in sinful deed considered it to be prohibited (حرام). Yet if the person declares the sin to be allowed (حلال), then he engaged in altering the Shariah of Allah (swt) and hence considered disbeliever (كافر). These involve sins as adultery, drinking alcohol, gambling etc. 

Rejection of Murjia (مرجعئة)

Murjia (مرجعئة) sect is concentration around three main points⁷:

• Belief in heart (اعتقاد): Firstly, the understanding of Iman, that they take it as belief in heart (اعتقاد) without any necessity to do actions. Ibn Taymiyah identified three types of Murjia (مرجعئة):
  • Those who say Iman is only attestation at heart.
  • Those who say Iman is only verbal endorsement from tongue. These are mainly Karamia (الكرامية).
  • Those who say Iman is attestation at heart and also verbal endorsement from tongue. These is famous in Ashaira (الأشاعرة),

We have already discuss Ahlus-Sunnah position on these, that Iman is saying and action, and it increase and decrease, and that it include commitment (الـتزام) that forces an action to fulfill Islamic obligations.
• Secondly, who ever say “لا إله إلا الله” (there is no god but Allah) from tongue he is believer and he will enter paradise. They based it on hadith like, ‏ما من عبد قال لا إله إلا الله ثم مات على ذلك إلا دخل الجنة – “There is none among the bondsmen who affirmed his faith in La illaha ill-Allah there is no God but Allah) and died in this state and did not enter Paradise” [Sahih Muslim, Book 1, #172]
  There are various hadith with similar topic which they used to make their belief that by proclaiming these words from their tongue they will be saved from hell fire, and they do not have to follow them with any other action.
• Thirdly, if one has Iman, no sin can harm it. They based it on verses in which Allah’s forgiveness is mentioned, such as: إِنَّ اللّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ – “Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful”.[5:39]

Hadiths that says “من قال أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله”

Some of the Hadith that said whoever said ‘there is no god but Allah’ enters paradise are below:

, عن‏ ‏عثمان‏ ‏قال قال رسول الله‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم‏ ‏من مات وهو يعلم أنه لا إله إلا الله دخل الجنة

“It is narrated on the authority of Uthman that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said. He who died knowing (fully well) that there is no god but Allah entered Paradise”.[Sahih Muslim, Book 1 Iman, # 39]

حدثنا ‏ ‏عبادة بن الصامت ‏ ‏قال قال رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏من قال أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له وأن ‏ ‏محمدا عبده ورسوله ‏ ‏وأن ‏ ‏عيسى ‏ ‏عبد الله وابن أمته وكلمته ألقاها إلى ‏ ‏مريم ‏ ‏وروح منه وأن الجنة حق وأن النار حق أدخله الله من أي أبواب الجنة الثمانية شاء

“It is narrated on the authority of Ubadah b. Samit that the messenger of Allah (pbuh) observed: He who said:" There is no god but Allah, He is One and there is no associate with Him, that Muhammad is his servant and His messenger, that Christ is servant and the son of His slave-girl and he (Christ) His word which He communicated to Mary and is His Spirit, that Paradise is a fact and Hell is a fact," Allah would make him (he who affirms these truths) enter Paradise through any one of its eight doors which he would like.” [Sahih Muslim, Book 1 Iman, #43. Also similar in Sahih Bukhari

عن ‏ ‏عبادة بن الصامت ‏ ‏أنه قال ---- ‏ ‏سمعت رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏يقول ‏ ‏من شهد أن لا إله إلا الله وأن ‏ ‏محمدا رسول الله ‏ ‏حرم الله عليه النار

“On the authority of Ubadah b. Samit who said .----- I heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) say: He who testifies that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, Allah would prohibit the fire of Hell for him.” [Sahih Muslim, Book 1 Iman, #45]

حدثنا ‏ ‏أنس بن مالك ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏معاذ بن جبل ‏ ‏قال كنت ‏ ‏ردف ‏ ‏النبي ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏ليس بيني وبينه إلا ‏ ‏مؤخرة الرحل ‏ ‏فقال يا ‏ ‏معاذ بن جبل ‏ ‏قلت لبيك رسول الله وسعديك ثم سار ساعة ثم قال يا ‏ ‏معاذ بن جبل ‏ ‏قلت لبيك رسول الله وسعديك ثم سار ساعة ثم قال يا ‏ ‏معاذ بن جبل ‏ ‏قلت لبيك رسول الله وسعديك قال ‏ ‏هل تدري ما حق الله على العباد قال قلت الله ورسوله أعلم قال فإن حق الله على العباد أن يعبدوه ولا يشركوا به شيئا ثم سار ساعة قال يا ‏ ‏معاذ بن جبل ‏ ‏قلت لبيك رسول الله وسعديك قال هل تدري ما حق العباد على الله إذا فعلوا ذلك قال قلت الله ورسوله أعلم قال أن لا يعذبهم

“It is reported on the authority of Anas b. Malik that the Prophet of Allah (pbuh) addressed Mu'adh b. Jabal as he was riding behind him to which he replied: At thy beck and call, and at thy pleasure, Messenger of Allah. He again called out: Mu'adh, to which he (again) replied: At thy beck and call, and at thy pleasure. He (the Holy Prophet) addressed him (again): Mu'adh, to which he replied: At thy beck and call, and at thy pleasure, Messenger of Allah. Upon this he (the Holy Prophet) observed: If anyone testifies (sincerely from his heart) that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is His bondsman and His messenger, Allah immuned him from Hell. He (Mu'adh) said: Messenger of Allah, should I not then inform people of it, so that they may be of good cheer? He replied: Then they would trust in it alone. Mu'adh told about it at the time of his death, to avoid sinning.” [Sahih Muslim, Book 1 Iman, #51. Similar in Sahih Bukhari]

عن ‏ ‏معاذ بن جبل ‏ ‏قال كنت ‏ ‏ردف ‏ ‏رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏على حمار يقال له ‏ ‏عفير قال فقال يا ‏ ‏معاذ ‏ ‏تدري ما حق الله على العباد وما حق العباد على الله قال قلت الله ورسوله أعلم قال فإن حق الله على العباد أن يعبدوا الله ولا يشركوا به شيئا وحق العباد على الله عز وجل أن لا يعذب من لا يشرك به شيئا قال قلت يا رسول الله أفلا أبشر الناس قال لا تبشرهم فيتكلوا

“It is narrated on the authority of Mu'adh b. Jabal that he observed: I was riding behind the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) on donkey known as 'Ufair. He (Mu'adh) observed: He (the Holy Prophet) said: Mu'adh, do you know what right has Allah over His bondsmen and what right have His bondsmen over Him? Mu'adh added: I replied: Allah and his Messenger know best. Upon this he (the Holy Prophet remarked: The right of Allah over His bondsmen is that they should worship Allah and should not associate anything with Him, and the right of His bondsmen over Allah, Glorious and Sublime, is that He does not punish him who associates not anything with Him. He (Mu'adh) added: I said to the Messenger of Allah: Should I then give the tidings to the people? He (the Holy Prophet) said: Do not tell them this good news, for they would trust in it alone.”‏ [Sahih Bukhari and Muslim]

Explanation of Salaf

Alhus-Sunnah looked at these hadith beyond its obvious meanings and analyzed with all other hadith and verses of Quran to deduce the comprehensive meanings of these injunctions.

• Iman Shatbi explained in al-muwafiqat that hadith is the exegesis of Quran. Hence, it should be looked same way as Quran with rules of what came first and what came second (تقديم و تاخير) to identify Naskh and Mansookh (ناسخ و منسوخ - repeal and replacement of Devine Laws)[see page 68]. Similar to Quran, hadith too had traditions from earlier time before specific sharie ruling came.
• Then in these hadith, there are those that say whoever died and “knew” there is no god but Allah, and those that say whoever witness “with conviction” there is no god but Allah then Allah will prohibit hell fire on him. If one put all of these Hadith together, they will make a list of various rules of its own. Hence, Ahlus-Sunnah doesn’t just look at obvious meaning of one hadith or few hadith, but they take into consideration all other hadiths, verses of Quran and apply rules of what came first and what came after to understand the hadith.
• One group of Salaf held the opinion that these hadith are from time of beginning of Islam when Shariah wasn’t completely descended and focus was more on Tawheed. Hence, if someone died in this time but he did not pray or either fast (as those commands were not descended at that time), then was no sin on him. Similarly, if he consumed alcohol and died before the ruling for prohibiting alcohol came, then there was no sin on him as he was not obligated (مُكلّف) to do so.
• Another group of Salaf including ( etc ضحاك، زهروي، سفيان سوري) metioned by Hafiz Manzari (in ترغيب و ترحيب) held the opinion that these hadith were mainly from time of beginning of Islam when invitation to Islam was only for accepting Tawheed, but when the detail Shariah rulings came, these were repealed (منسوخ). Another group of salaf held opinion that these were not repealed and it includes all branches of deen and obligations as part of saying shadatain (testimony of faith). 

جمع بين اطراف و عدلة

One of the most important principles (اصول) is “جمع بين اطراف و عدلة” that we collect all evidences around it and then do the analysis. Hence, while looking at the hadith individually, one need to observe hundreds of other Prophetic traditions that explains these hadith as well. Once we collect all of them together a comprehensive picture will emerge and it will allow us to deduce the correct understanding. Some other hadiths are below:

• Hadith that relating to founding principle of Islam where Prophet has said that Islam is based on 5 pilars, e.g.
  • Al-Bukhari
    عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ بُنِيَ الإِسْلاَمُ عَلَى خَمْسٍ شَهَادَةِ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ، وَإِقَامِ الصَّلاَةِ، وَإِيتَاءِ الزَّكَاةِ، وَالْحَجِّ، وَصَوْمِ رَمَضَانَ ‏"‏‏.
    In hadith Ibn Umar, Prophet (pbuh) defined Islam is based on 5 pillars, “1. To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah's Apostle. 2. To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly. 3. To pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity). 4. To perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Makkah) 5. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan.” [Sahih Bukhari]
• Same in Sahih Muslim in number of hadiths:
  • Al-Bukhari
    In Hadith Jibreel Prohphet (pbuh) replied Apostle replied, "To worship Allah Alone and none else, to offer prayers perfectly to pay the compulsory charity (Zakat) and to observe fasts during the month of Ramadan”. [Sahih Bukhari]
  • Al-Bukhari
    Hadith narrated by Abu Huraira of Bedouin, and Prophet (pbuh) replied "Worship Allah, and worship none along with Him, offer the (five) prescribed compulsory prayers perfectly, pay the compulsory Zakat, and fast the month of Ramadan." [Sahih Bukhari]
  • Al-Bukhari
    In Hadith of Muadh when Prophet (pbuh) sent him to Yemen, he asked him to invite them to Tawheed, then 5 prayers, then zakat. [Sahih Bukhari]
   
• Then there are number of Hadith where the Prophet (pbuh) has reported Shirk as unforgivable sin, e.g.
  • Al-Muslim
    عن ‏ ‏أبي الزبير ‏ ‏حدثنا ‏ ‏جابر بن عبد الله ‏ ‏قال سمعت رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏يقول ‏ ‏من لقي الله لا يشرك به شيئا دخل الجنة ومن لقيه يشرك به دخل النار
    “It is narrated on the authority of Jabir b. Abdullah: I heard the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) saying: He who met Allah without associating anything with Allah entered Paradise and he who met Him associating (anything) with Him entered Fire.” [Sahih Muslim, Book 1, #169]
  • Al-Muslim
    قال سمعت ‏ ‏أبا ذر ‏ ‏يحدث ‏عن النبي ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏أنه قال ‏ ‏أتاني ‏ ‏جبريل ‏ ‏عليه السلام ‏ ‏فبشرني أنه من مات من أمتك لا يشرك بالله شيئا دخل الجنة قلت وإن زنى وإن سرق قال وإن زنى وإن سرق
    “I heard Abu Dharr narrating it from the Apostle (pbuh) that he observed: Gabriel came to me and gave me the tidings: Verily he who died amongst your Ummah without associating anything with Allah would enter Paradise. I (the narrator) said: Even if he committed adultery and theft. He (the Holy Prophet) said: (Yes), even if he committed adultery and theft.” [Sahih Muslim, Book 1, #171]
• Then there are number of other Hadith, e.g.‏
  • Al-Muslim
    أبي هريرة ‏ ‏قال ‏ قال رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏لا تدخلون الجنة حتى تؤمنوا ولا تؤمنوا حتى تحابوا أولا أدلكم على شيء إذا فعلتموه تحاببتم أفشوا السلام بينكم
    “Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) observed: You shall not enter Paradise so long as you do not affirm belief (in all those things which are the articles of faith) and you will not believe as long as you do not love one another. Should I not direct you to a thing which, if you do, will foster love amongst you: (i. e.) give currency to (the practice of paying salutation to one another by saying) as-salamu alaikum”. [Sahih Muslim, Book 1, #196]
  • Al-Muslim
    عن ‏ ‏جده ‏ ‏جرير ‏ ‏قال قال لي النبي ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏في حجة الوداع استنصت الناس ثم قال ‏ ‏لا ترجعوا بعدي كفارا يضرب بعضكم رقاب بعض
    It is narrated on the authority of Jarir b. Abdullah that the Apostle of Allah (pbuh) asked him on the occasion of the Farewell Pilgrimage to make the people silent and then said: Do not return to unbelief after me by striking the necks of one another.” [Sahih Muslim, Book 1, #124]
  • Al-Muslim
    عن ‏ ‏أبي هريرة أن رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏قال ‏ ‏من حمل علينا السلاح فليس منا ومن غشنا فليس منا ‏-‏
    “It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) observed: He who took up arms against us is not of us and he who acted dishonestly towards us is not of us.” [Sahih Muslim, Book 1, #182]
• As a general rule, we can not give preference to one hadith over another. We take all of these hadith collectively and apply (تطبيق) them to deduce (استـنباط) the rulings.
• This collection of hadith and numerous others added the following:
  • Worship Allah ‘alone’
  • Pray prescribed prayers
  • Pay compulsory zakat
  • Fast the month of Ramadan
  • Pilgrimage to Makkah
  • Do not do Shirk and do no associate partners to Allah (swt)
  • Afirm your believes
  • Foster love among each other
  • Do not harm or kill each other
  • Don’t take up arms against other muslims
  • Don’t be dishonest with other muslims
• Hence, it becomes evident that affirmation (إقرار) of testmony of faith (شهادتين) is not merely verbal, but in essence it means that one must submit completely to Allah (swt) to worship him alone, and reject all kind of shirk, and disassociation of other false deities, and accept Tawheed of Allah (swt). i.e. what Allah (swt) meant when he said:
  • 2:256
    فَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىَ لاَ انفِصَامَ لَهَا
    2:256 “So whoever disbelieves in taghut and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it”
  
  Thus, whoever proclaimed “there is no god but Allah” but continued to do shirk and associate partners to Allah (swt) in various aspects then this person never really entered in Islam.
   
  The purpose of affirming (إقرار) from toungue is that this person agrees to reject Taghoot and shirk in order to accept the Tawheed of Allah (swt), and agrees that he will fulfil the commands of Allah (swt). This is no different then any other contract, e.g. if person enters in to contract to buy a car, then he has to pay the money and take ownership of the car, but he never pay and take ownership, then this contract is not executed.
  
  Thus, Allah (swt) said about such people,
  • 8:21-23
    وَلَا تَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ قَالُوا سَمِعْنَا وَهُمْ لَا يَسْمَعُونَ - إِنَّ شَرَّ الدَّوَابِّ عِندَ اللَّـهِ الصُّمُّ الْبُكْمُ الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ - وَلَوْ عَلِمَ اللَّـهُ فِيهِمْ خَيْرًا لَّأَسْمَعَهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ أَسْمَعَهُمْ لَتَوَلَّوا وَّهُم مُّعْرِضُونَ
    8:21 O you who have believed, obey Allah and His Messenger and do not turn from him while you hear [his order]. 8:22 And do not be like those who say, "We have heard," while they do not hear. 8:23 “Indeed, the worst of living creatures in the sight of Allah are the deaf and dumb who do not use reason (those who do not understand)
  
  These people say from their tongue that they hear, but they don’t obey the order of the Messenger. And Allah (swt) gave us strong instructions to ‘follow’ the guidance of the Prophet (pbuh) that:
  • 8:24
    يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَجِيبُوا لِلَّـهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ
    8:24 O you who have believed, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you…
• The affirmation (إقرار) from toungue is agreeing to abide by Shariah, and is a sign of entering into Islam. Hence, once a person proclaims then he is a mukalif (مكلّف) and the rulings for him will be that of Muslim. As mentionedin Fathul-Bari by Ibn Hajr Asqalani that “whoever affirms the testimony of faith (شهادتين), then he will be given rulings of laws that for Muslims (in this world), and no law of non-believer can be applied on him, until and uless he comits an action that gives evidence of disbelieve”. [Fathul-Bari p 46]

Understanding the reality of affirmation

In Islam intention (نية) is considered as main driver behind actions. The Prophet (pbuh) said:

‏يقول سمعت ‏ ‏عمر بن الخطاب ‏ ‏رضي الله عنه ‏ ‏على المنبر ‏‏قال سمعت رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏يقول ‏ ‏إنما الأعمال ‏ ‏بالنيات ‏ ‏وإنما لكل امرئ ما نوى فمن كانت هجرته إلى دنيا ‏ ‏يصيبها ‏ ‏أو إلى امرأة ينكحها فهجرته إلى ما هاجر إليه

Narrated Umar bin Al-Khattab: I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for.

Similarly, the commandments of Shariah are based on completion of affirmation that the affirmation is related to the intention and objective. By uttering words without any firm commitment behind them has no meaning and value. This is proven from vast number of text (نص). Allah (swt) said,

إِذَا جَاءكَ الْمُنَافِقُونَ قَالُوا نَشْهَدُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُهُ وَاللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لَكَاذِبُونَ

63:1 “When the hypocrites come to you, [O Muhammad], they say, "We testify that you are the Messenger of Allah." And Allah knows that you are His Messenger, and Allah testifies that the hypocrites are liars”.

Here the hypocrites already proclaimed the testimony and affirmed (إقرار) their faith, but their hypocrisy was proven from they way of living and their actions and associations. Though they did not reach the level of Kufr (disbelieves) in their dealings, however, their nifaq (نفاق) could not be hidden from the Messenger and the Allah (swt). Mawdudi⁸ said regarding this verse, that one should understand that an evidence or witness is composed of two things:

• First, the actual thing to which he bears witness
• Second the concerned person’s own believe about the things he bears witness too. So, we learn that there can be three situations:
• if thing itself is true and if the bearer of witness believes it to be right and true and his belief also correspond to what he says, then he is truthful in every way.
• if thing itself is false and if the bearer of witness believes it to be it to be right and true, then he would be considered truthful as he expressed his belief honestly, and liar in another way because he testified on the false.
• if the thing is true and the bearer of witness says it to be right and true but his own belief is opposed to it, he will be regarded as hypocrite because he is testifying to the right thing, and at the same time his own belief is contrary to what he is saying with the tongue 

Rejection of Khawarij (خوارج)

As we mentioned earlier, that Khawarij⁹ (خوارج) believes that all actions are part of Iman and the Iman doesn’t increase or decrease. Hence, if one part is missed (by either not believing or not performing an action) then entire Iman is wasted. And this person will not be called Mo’min, but he will be called non-believer until he repent.

They also say that the person who commits a sin doesn’t have Iman, and is considered non-believer. Because they did not distinguish between actions of disbelief (أعمال كفر) and actions of sins (أعمال معاصى). Because of this they declared a sinner (عاصى) as non-believer (كافر) until he repents. They also disagreed that sins are of two types, i) one that includes Shirk and ii) those that does not include Shirk. This is why they see a sinner as out of fold of Islam. 

Daleels of Khawarij

They gave following reason for considering a sinner as non-believer¹⁰:

1. They say Allah (swt) included every action as the part of Iman, and all actions are part of core Iman. If one leaves a single action, he eliminates part of Iman which invalidates his Iman all together. They give following evidences:
   • 4:14
     وَمَن يَعْصِ اللّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيَتَعَدَّ حُدُودَهُ يُدْخِلْهُ نَارًا خَالِدًا فِيهَا وَلَهُ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ
     And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger and transgresses His limits – He will put him into the Fire to abide eternally therein, and he will have a humiliating punishment [al-Nisa]
   • 72:23
     وَمَن يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَإِنَّ لَهُ نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ خَـلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَداً
     And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger – then indeed, for him is the fire of Hell; they will abide therein foreve
   • 2:81
     بَلَى مَن كَسَبَ سَيِّئَةً وَأَحَاطَتْ بِهِ خَطِيـئَتُهُ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
     Yes, whoever earns evil and his sin has encompassed him – those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally
   
   They took sin mentioned in these verses as absolute sin (that involves shirk) and understood “they will remain in hell forever” was because they are non-believer thus they remain in fire forever. Mawdudi said¹¹ explaining this verse that this does not mean that every sin and act of disobedience will cause on to live in Hell for ever, but in view of the context in which this thing has been said, the verse means:: the one who does not accept the invitation to Tawheed given by Allah and His Messenger and does not refrain from polytheism will suffer in Hell for ever.  
2. Similarly, they said that Allah (swt) explicitly mentioned that some sinner will remain in hell-fire forever, hence, they ougth to be non-believers. For instance, Allah (swt) said:
   • 4:93
     وَمَن يَقْتُلْ مُؤْمِنًا مُّتَعَمِّدًا فَجَزَآؤُهُ جَهَنَّمُ خَالِدًا فِيهَا وَغَضِبَ اللّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَلَعَنَهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُ عَذَابًا عَظِيمًا
     But whoever kills a believer intentionally – his recompense is Hell, wherein he will abide eternally, and Allah has become angry with him and has cursed him and has prepared for him a great punishment.”[al-Nisa]
3. The Prophet (pbuh) also mentioned number of sins and called these actions as Kufr (disbelief). Such as:
   • Al-Muslim
     No person who claimed knowingly anyone else as his father besides (his own) committed nothing but infidelity. [Sahih Muslim, Book 1:118-121]
   • Al-Muslim
     Two (things) are found among men which are tantamount to unbelief: slandering one's lineage and lamentation on the dead. [Sahih Muslim, Book 1:128]
   • Al-Muslim
     Slave who fled the master is non-believer until he returns. [Sahih Muslim, Book 1:129]
   • Al-Muslim
     Do not return to unbelief after me by striking the necks of one another. [Sahih Muslim, Book 1:124]
   • Al-Muslim
     Abusing a Muslim is an outrage and fighting against him is unbelief. [Sahih Muslim, Book 1:122]
   • Al-Muslim
     When a man calls his brother an unbeliever, it returns (at least) to one of them. [Sahih Muslim, Book 1:116]
4. Similarly, Prophet (pbuh) called people who commit certain sins as non-believers. Such as:
   • Al-Muslim
     The fornicator who fornicates is not a believer so long as he commits it and no thief who steals is a believer as long as he commits theft, and no drunkard who drinks wine is a believer as long as he drinks it. [Sahih Muslim, Book 1:104]
   • The took these sayings of Prophet (pbuh) this person is a Kafir (disbeliever) with same level as the one cursed by Allah (swt), as He said: فَلَعْنَةُ اللَّه عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ – “so the curse of Allah will be upon the disbelievers”[al-Baqara 2:89].
   • Then they expanded on this and say even the Prophets (as) can do act of Kufr, and they claim that Adam (as) eating from tree was the act of Kufr, but he repented later on. As Quran said,وَعَصَى آدَمُ رَبَّهُ فَغَوَى – “And Adam disobeyed his Lord and erred.”[Ta-ha 20:121] (نعوذ بالله من ذالك)

They said all verses in Quran proofs that without asking for repentance the sins can never be forgiven by Allah (swt); hence this sinner will enter the hell-fire if he doesn’t repent. Thus, they added if the person doesn’t repent from his sin, then this makes the sinner equal to a disbeliever, and he will stay in hell-fire for ever.

EXPLANATION OF SALAF

Contrary to this Ahlus Sunnah consider sinners to be given punishment by Allah (swt) for their sins (if Allah wills so), and that they will remain in Hell-fire for a certain period of time. After the punishment is over, those who did not commit shirk against Allah (swt) will be taken out.

Khawarij made error in their conclusion of understanding the sin and kufr. Though they believe that those leave the jamat (جماعة) of Muslims is disbeliever, as the Prophet (pbuh) said those who leave the jamat took himself out of fold of Islam until he returns. But they added that jamat here means their jamat, and whoever leaves their jamat is not a believer. Hence, they say everyone is disbeliever except their jamat. This is merely their opinion and contrary to the hadith and teachings of the Prophet (pbuh).

Alhus-Sunnah explanation of Iman that Iman is saying and actions, and the relationship between action and saying is such that these actions provide unambiguous evidence of Iman. And minimum amount of action that is needed to prove unambiguous Iman is mandatory.

Also, that knowledge adds to the level of Iman and helps in reducing sins. Meaning that if person learns more about Islam and acts upon it to build good deeds it increases the level of his Iman, and subsequently reduces his desire to do sins. Doing sins doesn’t eliminate Iman, but that it reduces the level of Iman.

See our earlier explanation of Iman in this topic. 

Refutation of Khawarij saying Iman is composite and leaving one element means its not Iman

Khawarij said Iman is a composite or compound (مُرَكَّب) including all elements, and if one element is removed then it is not Iman¹². They gave example of lemon juice (السكنجبين) and said if one element is removed then it’s not considered compound. Ibn Taymiyah refuted them and said their analogy of Iman as compound is incorrect, in fact, Iman is comprehensive matter (الجامِعة الأمور), meaning it includes various characteristics (صفات) but it is not a composite. Then he explained that the reality of comprehensive is that it comprises of various matters (أمور) either they are (الأعراض) or (الأعيان) ¹³. When some of the elements are abated (زائل) then some times the comprehensive nature ceased and some times it does not. Abation of some elements doesn’t not necessary diminish all of them. They gave example of ten or lemon juice. Their first example of ten (if one is lost out of “ten” then it’s not ten), in reality, if one is lost out of ten, then nine still remains and they are not lost. Similarly, if one element of compound is lost it doesn’t mean that other elements are also lost. What can be said in this context that name given to this compound is no longer valid and it can take another name, but the other elements are still existant (That is why making similarities of Iman to compound مُرَكَّب is a wrong example. Whereas Iman is really comprehensive consists of various matters الجامِعة الأمور, and if one matter is abated others are still valid). This is to say if a tree looses some of its branches -- it is still called a Tree. Or if a human or animal loses any of their limbs -- they are still called same.

Importanly, the Prophet (pbuh) said that Iman has over seventy branches, the most excellent of which is the declaration that there is no god but Allah, and the humblest of which is the, removal of what is injurious from the path: and modesty is the branch of faith. (Sahih Muslim). Now if some one did not remove the hazard from the path doesn’t mean he lost his entire Iman, even though that it is considered as disobedience.

What we say is abading some elements from composite, doesn’t abate other elements, and what we can agree is that by abating some element the nature of composite still remains although its nature has changed. In other words, if some one doesn’t do certain obligatory duties his Iman is certainly decreased, however, it will still be called Iman and it still valid until he does some act of disbelief or completely abates all practice all together.

This discussion can be further split into three points¹⁴:

1. If certain elements are abated, can this still be called with original name? This is based on Khawarij example of ten or lemon juice that if some elements are abated the composite is not same. (What they tried to say is if some elements of Iman are not there then it is not called Iman). The answer really depends on nature of things.
   • If the elements are of same kind or nature, then removing some of them still doesn’t change the name they are given. For instance, if some water is removed from bucket of water, it is still called water, or if some wheat is removed from sack of wheat, it is still called wheat.
   • Also, some composite that are made up of other elements; if some elements are removed they are still called with same name. For instance, if part of mountain is caved, it is still called mountain. Or if some parts of city or town are demolished, they are still called city. Or if a limb of animal is broken and removed, it is still called animal.
   • Similarly, Iman is comprehensive matter as Prophet (pbuh) said it has more than seventy branches and lowest of them is to remove hazard from path. So if hazard from path is abated, it is still called Iman.
2. If some elements are abated, did it dissolve the entire composite (that is to say if some element of Iman is missed, does it invalidate the entire Iman?).
   • Again, we go back to Iman. Iman is comprehensive and includes various matters. Hence, if some elements are missing does it invalidate Iman? This depends on the nature of the element. For instance, if this element was part of Comprehensive Iman (الايما ن المجمل), then it will invalidate the Iman, such as if some one doesn’t believe that Allah (swt) doesn’t beget, then Iman is invalidated. However, on the other hand fasting is part of obligatory Iman (الايما ن الواجب) and if one doesn’t fast, it certainly reduces the level of his Iman, but doesn’t invalidate it.
     Another important point is that if some one commits an act of disbelief then it also invalidates Iman. As we mentioned earlier, Iman includes both doing “actions” (of Shariah) and refraining from “actions” (of Kufr)
   • Similarly, there are detail inscriptions in Hajj or Salah. There are some elements if they are missed, it invalidates these rituals, but there are others that don’t. For instance, in fiqh of abu hanifa or malik, if some elements of salah are missed, they can be compensated by doing additional prostration at end of prayers (سجود السهو), however, if mandatory element (واجب) is missed, then salah is invalidated and must be repeated.
     Again, if some one did not do the salah in his entire life, then Companions of Prophet considered this person without Iman.
   
   Here we can conclude that there is difference in comparing elements of physical things versus the detailed elements of Shariah inscriptions. Iman is not constant for every mukalif (مكلّف), and it depends on time and situation.
   • It depends how much Shariah has reached the mukalif (مكلّف). In early Makkan life it was enough to testify that Allah is one and Mohammad is the Prophet, but later commands of Salah and fasting came. So, had he died at the time drinking alcohol then it was acceptable. However, in Madinian life it wasn’t enough to just testify, by then details inscription of Shariah appeared, and Iman expanded to remainder of Shariah. Hence, it was compulsory for mukalif (مكلّف) to observe rest of Shariah. 
   • It depends on physical, financial and other aspect of mukalif (مكلّف). So, if some one is sick he doesn’t have to fast in Ramadan, he can do later. Or if some one can not afford, he doesn’t have to do hajj. Hence, the obligation (واجب) is not constant and it depends on the situation of mukalif (مكلّف). Hence, we can conclude that if mukalif (مكلّف) has obligation based on his situation, then his Iman is also what is obligated (واجب) on him. 
3. There are situations when some elements (of Iman or Shariah) are requisite for other elements, and other situations they are not requisite.
   • For instance, believe in parts of Book (Quran) and rejecting parts, or believe in some Messengers (of Allah) and reject other. In this instance, believing in ‘all’ elements is a requisite for validity of Iman.
   • 2:85
     الَّذِينَ يَكْفُرُونَ بِاللّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن يُفَرِّقُواْ بَيْنَ اللّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَيقُولُونَ نُؤْمِنُ بِبَعْضٍ وَنَكْفُرُ بِبَعْضٍ وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن يَتَّخِذُواْ بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ سَبِيلاً - أُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْكَافِرُونَ حَقًّا وَأَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابًا مُّهِينًا
     “Indeed, those who disbelieve in Allah and His messengers and wish to discriminate between Allah and His messengers and say, "We believe in some and disbelieve in others," and wish to adopt a way in between. Those are the disbelievers, truly. And We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment. .”[Nisa 4:150-151] Now, if some believed that Moses and Jesus are Prophet of Allah (swt), but he refused to accept Mohammad (pbuh) as the Prophet of Allah, then he is a disbeliever, as the requiste for belief is to believe in ‘all’ Prophets of Allah (swt). Similarly, believing in parts of Quran and rejecting parts of Quran, also takes one out of fold of Islam, as it is a requisite to believe in entire Quran.[Al-Baqara]
   • Then there are situation when elements are not requisite of each other for validity of Iman. In such situation Iman (ايمان - belief) and Nifaq (نفاق - hypocrisy) are compounded in a person. For instance,
   • Al-Bukhari
     Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr: Prophet (pbuh) said “Whoever has the following four (characteristics) will be a pure hypocrite and whoever has one of the following four characteristics will have one characteristic of hypocrisy unless and until he gives it up. 1. Whenever he is entrusted, he betrays. 2. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie. 3. Whenever he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous. 4. Whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very imprudent, evil and insulting manner."[Sahih Bukhari, Book Iman 2, #33]
   • Al-Bukhari
     It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) observed: “Do not detest your fathers; he who detested his father committed infidelity.”[Sahih Muslim, Book Iman 1, #119]
   
   
   Hence, a person with one of this quality has elements of both Iman and Nifaq, but it doesn’t invalidate his Iman.

Refutation of Khawarij saying person committing major sin is a disbeliever

Khawarij said that person who commits major sin is a disbeliever.  Ahlus-Sunnah said that Allah (swt) may forgive all sins except the Shirk. Allah (swt) will not forgive sins of Shirk. A person who commits major sins is still a believer, and that he will be judged by Allah (swt) and receive his punishment in hellfire, but he will not remain in hellfire forever. Once his punishment is over he will go to paradise. As Allah (Swt) said

إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَلِكَ لِمَن يَشَاء وَمَن يُشْرِكْ بِاللّهِ فَقَدِ افْتَرَى إِثْمًا عَظِيمًا

4:48 Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin [Al-Nisa]

Referenced Hadiths

Islam is based on 5 pillars. The Prophet (pbuh) said,

‏عن ‏ ‏ابن عمر ‏ ‏رضي الله عنهما قال رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏بني الإسلام على خمس شهادة أن لا إله إلا الله وأن ‏ ‏محمدا ‏ ‏رسول الله وإقام الصلاة وإيتاء الزكاة والحج وصوم رمضان

Narrated Ibn 'Umar: Allah's Apostle said: Islam is based on (the following) five (principles): 1. To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah's Apostle. 2. To offer the (compulsory congregational) prayers dutifully and perfectly. 3. To pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity). 4. To perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Mecca) 5. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan (Sahih Bukhari, Book #2 Iman, Hadees # 7)

This fact is emphasized when the Prophet (pbuh) said that Iman consists over seventy branches:

‏حدثنا ‏ ‏زهير بن حرب ‏ ‏حدثنا ‏ ‏جرير ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏سهيل ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏عبد الله بن دينار ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏أبي صالح ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏أبي هريرة ‏ ‏قال ‏ ‏قال رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏الإيمان ‏ ‏بضع ‏ ‏وسبعون ‏ ‏أو بضع وستون ‏ ‏شعبة ‏ ‏فأفضلها ‏ ‏قول لا إله إلا الله وأدناها ‏ ‏إماطة ‏ ‏الأذى ‏ ‏عن الطريق والحياء شعبة من الإيمان

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: Faith has over seventy branches or over sixty branches, the most excellent of which is the declaration that there is no god but Allah, and the humblest of which is the, removal of what is injurious from the path: and modesty is the branch of faith. – (Sahih Muslim, Book 1 Iman, #56)

Also, the Prophet (pbuh) expressed on various occasions to perform prayers, Zakat, fasting and other Islamic duties that are essential part of following the Hukm of Allah (swt).

‏حدثني ‏ ‏محمد بن عبد الرحيم ‏ ‏حدثنا ‏ ‏عفان بن مسلم ‏ ‏حدثنا ‏ ‏وهيب ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏يحيى بن سعيد بن حيان ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏أبي زرعة ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏أبي هريرة ‏ ‏رضي الله عنه ‏ ‏أن أعرابيا أتى النبي ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏فقال دلني على عمل إذا عملته دخلت الجنة قال ‏ ‏تعبد الله لا تشرك به شيئا وتقيم الصلاة المكتوبة وتؤدي الزكاة المفروضة وتصوم رمضان قال والذي نفسي بيده لا أزيد على هذا فلما ولى قال النبي ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏من سره أن ينظر إلى رجل من أهل الجنة فلينظر إلى هذا

Narrated Abu Huraira: A Bedouin came to the Prophet and said, "Tell me of such a deed as will make me enter Paradise, if I do it." The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Worship Allah, and worship none along with Him, offer the (five) prescribed compulsory prayers perfectly, pay the compulsory Zakat, and fast the month of Ramadan." The Bedouin said, "By Him, in Whose Hands my life is, I will not do more than this." When he (the Bedouin) left, the Prophet said, "Whoever likes to see a man of Paradise, then he may look at this man." – Al-Bukhari (Kitab Al-Jana’iz, B23, #480)

‏و حدثني ‏ ‏عبد الله بن أبي الأسود ‏ ‏حدثنا ‏ ‏الفضل بن العلاء ‏ ‏حدثنا ‏ ‏إسماعيل بن أمية ‏ ‏عن ‏ ‏يحيى بن محمد بن عبد الله بن صيفي ‏ ‏أنه سمع ‏ ‏أبا معبد ‏ ‏مولى ‏ ‏ابن عباس ‏ ‏يقول سمعت ‏ ‏ابن عباس ‏ ‏يقول‏لما بعث النبي ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏معاذ بن جبل ‏ ‏إلى نحو ‏ ‏أهل ‏ ‏اليمن ‏ ‏قال له ‏ ‏إنك تقدم على قوم من ‏ ‏أهل الكتاب ‏ ‏فليكن أول ما تدعوهم إلى أن يوحدوا الله تعالى فإذا عرفوا ذلك فأخبرهم أن الله قد فرض عليهم خمس صلوات في يومهم وليلتهم فإذا صلوا فأخبرهم أن الله افترض عليهم زكاة في أموالهم تؤخذ من غنيهم فترد على فقيرهم فإذا أقروا بذلك فخذ منهم وتوق ‏ ‏كرائم ‏ ‏أموال الناس

Narrated Ibn Abbas: “When the Prophet sent Muadh to Yemen, he said to him, "You are going to a nation from the people of the Scripture, so let the first thing to which you will invite them, be the Tawheed of Allah. If they learn that, tell them that Allah has enjoined on them, five prayers to be offered in one day and one night. And if they pray, tell them that Allah has enjoined on them Zakat of their properties and it is to be taken from the rich among them and given to the poor. And if they agree to that, then take from them Zakat but avoid the best property of the people."” – Al-Bukhari (Kitab at-Tawheed, v9, b93, #469)

Read Part I : Iman - Reality of Iman (1)

FOOTNOTE

1. Towards Understanding Islam, Al-Mawdudi
2. Haqiqatul Iman, Dr Tariq AbdelHaleem
3. Haqeeqat ul Iman – Chapter 2 - Dr Tariq AbdelHaleem
4. Book of Emaan, Ibn Taymiyah (English Trans, ISBN 1-874263-6505)
5. Sharh al-Aqeedah at-Tahaawiyyah
6. Haqeeqat ul Iman, Chapter 3 – Dr Tariq AbdelHaleem
7. Haqeeqat ul Iman, Dr Tariq AbdelHaleem
8. Tafheem, al-Mawdudi.
9. Khawarij (الخوارج) are the extreme opposite of المرجيه. The word الخوارج is a plural of خارج (which means departing or outside). The word خارجي means external, outer or foreign. The word خرج means to go out, to depart or to leave. In the context of الخوارج as sect, it means those who left then jammah (as the khawarij left Imam Ali). Khawarij has many names in Islamic History, such as i) الخوارج ii) الحروريه iii) الشره iv) المارقه v) المحكميه vi) النواصب. Imam Ibn Jawzi counted 12 names for الحروريه in his book Talbees Iblis. The word الخوارج is used in following context:
   1. In general those who left the Jammah of rightly agreed imam (الامام المتفق و الامام الحق) to be Imam of Muslims.
   2. Those who left Imam Ali and became to be known as Khawarij (الخوارج).It has been said that Dhul-Khuwasira Tamimi (ذوالخويصرة التميمي) was the first Kharji. He put his own opinion based on his desire above the judgment of the Prophet (pbuh). Had he been patient enough, he would’ve witnessed that the judgment of the Prophet PBUH was the just. Those who followed Dhul-Khuwasira in hasting to judge were same who fought with Imam Ali (ra) and became popularly known as Khawarij (الخوارج). The Khawarij became part of Imam Ali’s army even thought that he didn’t accepted them. However, when the decision to arbitrate took place between Muawiyyah (ra) and Ali (ra), they became angry with Ali (ra). Later, when the decision of arbitrator came against Ali (ra), The Khwarij parted with him. Ali (ra) later fought with them and destroyed their fitna all together but few of them managed to escape the justice
10. Based on discussion on Khawarij in Haqeeqat ul Iman, Dr Tariq Abdelhaleem
11. Tafheem verse 72:23, al-Mawdudi
12. This is the argument of Khawarij that if one element of Iman is lost then the entire Iman is destroyed, hence such a person is not a Muslim.
13. الأعيان: is what you can see from the physical world (from عين what you see by the eye). الأعراض: is like the attributes and any thing that can be attached to الأعيان that is not part of it (عرض  is what comes and goes - temporary)
14. Based on Haqeeqat ul Iman, Dr Tariq AbdelHaleem