Understanding Disbelief: The Implications of Following Anti-Islamic Laws

The Relationship Between Disbelief and Anti-Islamic Laws in Islam

Question: Someone has asked about the ruling on following anti-Islamic laws, and the answer given is that following laws that are against Islam is considered disbelief (kufr) only if one believes them to be permissible and is convinced of their correctness. In Surah Al-Ma’idah, Allah says, “And those who do not judge by what Allah has revealed are the transgressors.” The Prophet (ﷺ) also said, “When the leaders of Islam do not judge by the Book of Allah and do not adopt the Sharia revealed by Allah, He will cause severe division among them.” Is it true that following laws that are against Islam is only considered disbelief when they are believed to be permissible and correct?

Answer: The answer given states that following a law that is against Islam becomes disbelief only when one considers it permissible. However, I believe this answer is incorrect, as the evidence mentioned below does not support this view, nor does any other evidence lead to such a conclusion. The Quranic verse states that those who do not judge by what Allah has revealed are transgressors, which implies that judging against Allah’s command, whether considering the ruling permissible or impermissible, leads to the person being called a transgressor. This is also the meaning derived from the hadith. Therefore, whether a person performs a sinful act believing it to be permissible or not, in both cases, they are committing a sin.

Response by: Sheikh Maqbool Ahmad Salafi (Hafizahullaah)

Jeddah Dawah Center, Hai Al-Salamah – Saudi Arabia

Interpreter: Hasan Fuzail