A Murji Principle: No one is To Be Declared a Disbeliever Based on Their Actions or Statements Alone [Part 11]

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Allaah, the Most High, Said: 

“If you ask them (about this), they declare: "We were only talking idly and joking." Say: "Was it at Allah (ÚÒ æ Ìá), and His Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and His Messenger () that you were mocking?" Make no excuse; you have disbelieved after you had believed. If We pardon some of you, We will punish others amongst you because they were Mujrimun (disbelievers, polytheists, sinners, criminals, etc.).” [at-Tawbah: 65-66]

This is proof that speech alone was sufficient to declare a person a disbeliever. They were declared as being disbelievers even though they had the claim that 'they did not possess these beliefs but was mere speech said in jest.'

Allaah, the Most High, Said:

“Surely, they have disbelieved who say: "Allah is the Messiah ['Iesa (Jesus)], son of Maryam (Mary)." ” [al-Maa'idah 5:72]

Similarly the next Aayah:

“Surely, disbelievers are those who said: "Allah is the third of the three (in a Trinity)."” [al-Maa'idah 5:73]

These are further examples of disbelief being attached to a person based on mere statements. In these Aayaat, there were no mentioned of beliefs and the Aayaat do not read, "Those who believed".

A principle used in the Usool al-Fiqh (The Principles of Deriving Islaamic Rulings) is that a ruling can be placed on a particular issue based on a given characteristic, otherwise known as ‘Illah. 

So in this example, those who claim plurality for Allaah or equate Him to anything else, in their speech, have been declared disbelievers by the mere characteristic of them making this statement.  

Allaah, the Most High, Said:

“They swear by Allah that they said nothing (bad), but really they said the word of disbelief, and they disbelieved after accepting Islam, and they resolved that (plot to murder Prophet Muhammad ) which they were unable to carry out.” [at-Tawbah 9:74]

Again, they have been declared disbelievers based on a mere statement, this is despite the fact that they accompanied the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] and partook in difficult acts of worship such as Jihad, constantly praying in congregation with him and paying their Zakaat.

Allaah, the Most High, Said:

“And it has already been revealed to you in the Book (this Qur'an) that when you hear the Verses of Allah being denied and mocked at, then sit not with them, until they engage in a talk other than that; (but if you stayed with them) certainly in that case you would be like them” [an-Nisaa 4: 140]

This is further proof that a spoken word can be a proof of disbelief. Moreover, there is no proof in this Aayah that disbelief is restriction to beliefs of the heart alone.

To be continued (further proof to refute this false principle with the Murji'ah)