Faking apostasy

20-5-2003 | IslamWeb

Question:

What is the ruling concerning somebody who promised somebody that he would give up his religion in order to get some worldly matters? Know that this person does not mean what he says and that his heart and mind are not convinced by what he said and that he still practices his religious duties (Salah, fasting, etc.). It is only his tongue that said this. Is such a person still Muslim or does he become Kafir? What shall he do now to repent from this sin? This person did not say anything bad about Islam. He just deceived that person.

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Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. The Muslim must not, under any circumstances, change his religion. He must not promise anyone that he would give up Islam no matter how much profit he would get, even everything he wants in this life. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {… And whosoever of you turns back from his religion and dies as a disbeliever, then his deeds will be lost in this life and in the Hereafter, and they will be the dwellers of the Fire. They will abide therein forever."}[2: 217]. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "Whoever changes his religion, kill him" [Reported by Imam al-Bukhari ]. The Muslim must forebear all harm, hardship, hunger and poverty that he faces in this life in order to preserve his religion. It should be noted here that anyone who pronounces the word of Kufr (disbelief) or promises to do so, apostasizes unless he is compelled to do such an obnoxious act. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {If you ask them (about this), they declare: "We were only talking idly and joking." Say: "Was it at Allâh (SWT), and His Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and His Messenger (SAW) that you were mocking?" Make no excuse; you have disbelieved after you had believed….}[9: 65-66]. Al-Jassass an interpret of Qur'an said while interpreting this verse: 'this is a clear indication that the joking person and the serious one are similar when it comes to showing Kufr as long as there is no compulsion to do so' . Ibn Taymiyah said in his Fatwa: 'whoever says: if you give me a thousand, I will become Kafir (disbeliever), then he turns Kafir' . Based on the above, we would like to warn the questioner and tell him that he must repent immediately and pronounce the Shahadah again. He should beware of indulging in such an act again, should adhere completely to the Islamic rules avoiding this life's temptations, and seeking the eternal comfort of Paradise. We ask Allah The Almighty to forgive all Muslims. He is Indeed The Best of all Masters and of all Supporters. Allah knows best.