Question:
Assalamu Alaikum
I need you to help me and give me Quranc Aayaaths and Hadith Quotations to what I have heard of:
1.”If a Non Muslim dies with the mere thought of the Oneness of God “lillah” he will eventually enter paradise after his period in hell,by the strong Infinite Mercy of Allah through the Saf”ath of Prophet Muhammad salla Allah Alihi wasalaam. This thought need to come before the time frame given for the last breath.
The basis of my view is a thought leads to belief,and thought and belief leads to die in the Faith of Islam.
2.Also some research material on “Can anyone be called a” Kafir” by another human being , specially another Muslim to a Muslim, cause my belief is, It is the Creator Almighty Allah who is absolutely bestowed with this power and who destine one a Kafir or a Muslim . Please give reference with Quran & Hadith.
Would appreciate an early reply.
May the blessing of Allah be with you for the service rendered.
Salaams.
Answer:
`Alaykum as-Salam,
A non-Muslim who has Islamic belief in his heart but never pronounces it for some reason is a believer in the eyes of Allah Most High and an unbeliever in the eyes of the Law, on the basis of the verse {He who disbelieves in Allah after his having believed, not he who is compelled while his heart is at rest on account of faith, but he who opens (his) breast to disbelief – on these is the wrath of Allah, and they shall
have a grievous chastisement} (16:106) as stated by al-Baqillani in al-Insaf, al-Baydawi in his Tafsir, and in the shorter books of `aqida such as al-Bajuri in Sharh al-Jawhara. The Prophet, upon him blessings and peace, said the first pillar of Islam is the testimony (shahada) of La ilaha illallah Muhammadun Rasulullah such as in the hadith of Islam, Iman, Ihsan and the hadith “Islam was built upon five things…”.
“Testimony” means outward witnessing, even for a mute person. Testimony is more than mere thought. When one testifies to that effect, one is considered a Muslim and is considered to have died as a believer. Otherwise, no. As for knowing if there is actual belief in the heart, that is outside our jurisprudence regarding everyone.
As for the second question, Allah Most High taught us through His command to Sayyidina Musa (upon him peace) and in other verses never to address unbelievers as kafir, even Fir`awn, but rather to be gentle, lenient, wise, and inviting. Even less are we to address a believer as an unbeliever: that is a grave sin. However, in the way of nasiha, rightful condemnation, or warning, a knowledgeable Muslim is allowed to
use strong language such as: “Are you committing kufr?!” (18:37, 2:28 etc.) or “Do not commit kufr!” (2:102, 2:152 etc.); and every Muslim, let alone a mufti or judge, must be able to tell the difference between kufr and iman, and what constitutes apostasy (Allah is our refuge), and Allah knows best.
Hajj Gibril Haddad
