1-Believe in Allaah
1-Believe in Allaah:
It is to believe in the existence of Allaah, Exalted and Glorified be He, and believe in the Oneness of His Lordship and Divinity.
One will be Muslim through acknowledging that pillar and proclaiming (Laa ilaaha il-la Al-lâh wa Anna Muhammadan Rasool-ul-Al-lâh):
Tawheed Ar-Rububiyyah (Oneness of the Lordship of Allaah):
It is to acknowledge the existence of Allaah The Almighty and single Him out in His actions, such as creation, provision, sovereignty, bestowing gifts, kingdom, fashioning, giving, withholding, benefiting, harming, giving life and death, perfect arrangement, Qadaa’ (Divine Decree) and Al-Qadar (Divine Pre-ordainment). Allaah The Almighty says:
{Allaah is the Creator of all things.}[Az-Zumar: from the verse 62]
It is to Affirm that which Allaah has affirmed for Himself or that His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, has affirmed of His Beautiful Names such as Al-Hayy (the Ever-Living) and Al-Qayoom (the Sustainer of all existence). Allaah The Almighty says:
{Allaah- there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence}[Al-Baqarah: 255]
And Ar-Rahmaan (The Most Beneficent) and Ar-Raheem (The Most Merciful). Allaah The Almighty says: {[All] praise is [due] to Allaah, Lord of the worlds. The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.} [Al-Faatihah: 2-3]
And the Sublime Attributes, such as knowledge. Allaah The Almighty says: {And they encompass not a thing of His knowledge.} [Al-Baqarah: 255]
And Seeing and Hearing. Allaah The Almighty says: {There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.} [Ash-Shoora: 11]
And Highness. Allaah The Almighty says: {Exalt the name of your Lord, the Most High.} [Al-A‘la: 1]
He The Almighty also says: {They fear their Lord above them, and they do what they are commanded.} [An-Nahl: 50]
It is to affirm and acknowledge to Allaah The Almighty its sound meanings and indications and be aware of its effects and prerequisites in the creation.
It is to deny that which Allaah The Almighty has denied Himself or that His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, has denied. Allaah The Almighty says:
{Say, "He is Allaah, [who is] One, Allaah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, Nor is there to Him any equivalent.}[Al-Ikhlaas: 1-4]
Ar-Rabb is the one who is worshiped and the owner who has full authority over His property. Our Rabb is Allaah who created us and created all the creation from nothing. He raises us and all worlds with His blessings. He is the Lord of all things, their owner and Who has authority over them. All affairs are determined by Him, all types of good are in His Hand and all affairs belong to Him.
Intellect has proved the existence of Allaah The Almighty and that he is unique in His Lordship and that He has perfect power over all creatures and control them. This is done by contemplating and thinking about the signs of Allaah The Almighty that indicate Him such as contemplating His sings in creating the human soul. Allaah The Almighty says: {And in yourselves. Then will you not see?} [Ath-Thaariyaat: 51]
He The Almighty also says: {And [by] the earth and He who spread it.} [Ash-Shams: 7]
If one contemplates himself thoughtfully and the miraculous creation of Allaah The Almighty, then this will guide him to the idea that he has a Lord and Creator who is Ever-Wise and Well-Acquainted. Indeed, no one can create the Nutfah (a sperm-drop) from which he was created, or change it to a clot, or change the clot to a lump of flesh, or change the lump of flesh to bones, or cover the bones with flesh.
Contemplating the signs of Allaah The Almighty in creating the universe. Allaah The Almighty says: {We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. But is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness?} [Fussilat: 53]
He The Almighty also says: {And of His signs are the night and day and the sun and moon.} [Fussilat: 37]
So whoever considers this universe carefully and whatever therein of the sky that contains stars, planets, sun and moons, the land that has mountains, sand, trees, seas and rivers and that he is operated in such perfect delicate system, then this will indicate that there is a creator and originator for this universe who manages its affairs. Allaah The Almighty says: {Or were they created by nothing, or were they the creators [of themselves]? Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Rather, they are not certain.} [At-Toor: 35-36]
It cannot be imagined that such creation that has such perfection in arrangement is aimless and purposeless for this will necessitate that it was created for sport and uselessly. In fact, such conclusion is invalid and thus all is based on it is also invalid. Allaah The Almighty says: {And We did not create the heaven and earth and that between them in play.} [Al-Anbiyaa’: 16]
He The Almighty explained that He did not created creation uselessly and without any purpose; rather, He created them for a great wisdom. His wisdom prevents Him The Almighty from leaving them without obligations, rewards and punishments.
Accordingly, the Eemaan of the slave cannot be sound nor can his monotheism be achieved except if he believes in the Lordship of Allaah The Almighty. However, such kind of monotheism cannot save one from the punishment of Allaah The Almighty as long as the slave does not fulfill its prerequisite namely, Tawheed Al-Uloohiyyah (Oneness of the Divinity of Allaah). Therefore, Allaah The Almighty says: {And most of them believe not in Allaah except while they associate others with Him.} [Yoosuf: 106], meaning that most of them do not acknowledge Allaah The Almighty as their Lord, Creator, Provider and Manager of their affairs, all of such matters are included in the Tawheed Ar-Ruboobiyyah, except while they associate others with Him in worship such as idols and images that cannot bring benefit or cause harm, and cannot give or withhold.
Rather, polytheists during the time of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, acknowledged Allaah The Almighty as a Lord, Creator, Provider and Manager of their affairs. Their polytheism was in worship for they took peers and associates to call upon them, seek their help and ask them to fulfill their needs and requests. Allaah The Almighty says: {If you asked them, "Who created the heavens and earth and subjected the sun and the moon?" they would surely say, "Allaah." Then how are they deluded?} [Al-‘Ankaboot: 61]
He The Almighty also says: {And if you asked them, "Who sends down rain from the sky and gives life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness?" they would surely say "Allaah." Say, "Praise to Allaah"; but most of them do not reason.} [Al-‘Ankaboot: 63]
He The Almighty also says: {And if you asked them who created them, they would surely say, "Allaah." So how are they deluded?} [Az-Zukhruf: 87]
He The Almighty also says: {Say, [O Muhammad], "To whom belongs the earth and whoever is in it, if you should know?" They will say, "To Allaah." Say, "Then will you not remember?" Say, "Who is Lord of the seven heavens and Lord of the Great Throne?" They will say, "[They belong] to Allaah." Say, "Then will you not fear Him?" Say, "In whose hand is the realm of all things - and He protects while none can protect against Him - if you should know?" They will say, "[All belongs] to Allaah." Say, "Then how are you deluded?"} [Al-Mu’minoon: 84-89]
Polytheists did not believe that the idols are the power that send down rain, provide the world and manage its affairs; but rather, they believed that all of such things are from the characteristics of the Lord The Almighty. Moreover, they acknowledged that their idols that they call besides Allaah The Almighty are just created beings and possess not for themselves and their worshipers any harm or benefit and possess not power to cause death or life or resurrection. They do not hear or see. They believed that Allaah The Almighty is the only One Who can do all of such things and has no associate, and they and their idols have nothing to do with that. Alalh is the creator and all others than Him are mere created beings. He is the Lord and all others than Him are slaves to the Lord. But despite this they still attributed to Him partners and mediators from His creation. They believed that these creatures could intercede for them and bring them closer to Allaah The Almighty. Therefore, Allaah The Almighty says:
{And those who take protectors besides Him [say], “We only worship them that they may bring us nearer to Allaah in position.”}[Az-Zumar: 3], meaning intercede for them with Allaah The Almighty to support, provide and help them in what afflicts them in the worldly life.
Tawheed Al-Uloohiyyah (Oneness of the Divinity of Allaah):
It is to single out Allaah The Almighty with the action of the slaves that they do to draw near to Him (acts of worship) such as supplication, vowing, sacrifice, trust, fear and so on. Allaah The Almighty says: {That is from what your Lord has revealed to you, [O Muhammad], of wisdom. And, [O mankind], do not make [as equal] with Allaah another deity, lest you be thrown into Hell, blamed and banished.}[Al-Israa’: 39]
He The Almighty also says: {They have certainly disbelieved who say, "Allaah is the Messiah, the son of Mary" while the Messiah has said, "O Children of Israel, worship Allaah, my Lord and your Lord." Indeed, he who associates others with Allaah- Allaah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers.}[Al-Maa’idah: 72]
Tawheed Al-Uloohiyyah is the greatest, most perfect, best and most necessary principle ever for the goodness of humanity. It is for which Allaah The Almighty has created mankind and jinn. He The exalted created all creatures and prescribed rulings to establish it. With it goodness will exist and without it evil and corruption will prevail. Therefore, this category of Tawheed was the main object, sublime aim and basic element of the Da‘wah (call) of all Messengers, peace be upon them. Allaah The Almighty says: {And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], “Worship Allaah and avoid Taghut.”}[An-Nahl: 36]
He The Almighty also says: {And We sent not before you any messenger except that We revealed to him that, "There is no deity except Me, so worship Me."} [Al-Anbiyaa’: 25]
It is the core of the argument between the prophets, peace be upon them, and their peoples. Prophets call them to the worshiping Allaah The Almighty alone and dedicating worship solely for Him in all sincerity. However, all peoples insisted on adopting Shirk and worshiping idols except those whom Allaah The Almighty has guided.
‘Ibaadah (Worship)is all words and actions that Allaah The Almighty has enjoined us to do for Him. So it is a comprehensive word which includes all word and deeds that Allaah loves and is pleased with, both outward and inward.
It is for which Allaah The Almighty has created all creatures. He The Almighty says: {And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.}[Ath-Thaariyaat: 56]]
He The Almighty also says: {O mankind, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous -}[Al-Baqarah: 21]
He The Almighty also says: {Worship Allaah and associate nothing with Him.}[An-Nisaa’: 36]
It has many types. Amongst them are: Du‘aa’ (Supplication)
Allaah The Almighty also says: {So invoke Allaah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, although the disbelievers dislike it.}[Ghaafir: 14]
He The Almighty also says: {And [He revealed] that the Masajids (Mosques) are for Allaah, so do not invoke with Allaah anyone.}[Al-Jinn: 18]
Isti‘aathahmeans seeking refuge and protection from any harm. Allaah The Almighty says: {Say, "I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak. From the evil of that which He created}[Al-Falaq: 1-2]
He The Almighty also says: {Say, "I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, The Sovereign of mankind. The God of mankind, From the evil of the retreating whisperer -}[An-Naas: 1-4]
Istighaathah means seeking help to be saved from a difficulty and destruction.
Allaah The Almighty says: {[Remember] when you asked help of your Lord, and He answered you.}[Al-Anfaal: 9]
Sacrifice. Allaah The Almighty says: {Say, "Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allaah, Lord of the worlds.} [Al-An‘aam: 162]
He The Almighty also says: {So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone].}[Al-Kawthar: 2]
‘Ibaadah can be done by heart such as fear and hope or by tongue such as Du‘aa’, Tasbeeh (glorification of Allaah The Almighty), reciting Quran, or by limbs such as prayer.
It has two conditions:
1- Dedicating these deeds sincerely and solely for the sake of Allaah The Almighty. Allaah The Almighty says: {And they were not commanded except to worship Allaah, [being] sincere to Him in religion.} [Al-Bayyinah: from the verse no. 5]
2- Keenness to follow the example and guidance of the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessings be upon him. Allaah The Almighty says: {And whatever the Messenger has given you - take; and what he has forbidden you - refrain from.}[Al-Hashr: 7]
God is the one who is worship. The truthful god is the one who is attributed by all perfect characteristics and miraculous abilities, who is able to do all things, and who has no defect or shortcoming. This rank can never be attained by one of the created being because every created being whatever his great status is, is definitely weak and imperfect. Consequently, this necessitates that none should be worshiped except Allaah The Almighty and none can be the lord except Allaah The Almighty.
What can nullify Tawheed (Monotheism) or contradict with its perfection:
Every Muslim individual should avoid all what may distort his Tawheed of the words or the actions that can destroy or decrease it. One should be aware of all of such thing, especially what may nullify or eradicate it completely. Amongst such nullifications are:
1- Shirk: It has two categories
Firstly, Shirk Akbar: It is to establish equality between others than Allaah and Allaah regarding the matters that are special attributes of Allaah The Almighty alone. It takes one out of the fold of Islam and renders all of his deed futile, and the eternal existence in the Hellfire for the one who died upon it. Allaah The Almighty says: {Indeed, Allaah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allaah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.}[An-Nisaa’: 48]
He The Almighty also says: {Indeed, association [with him] is great injustice."}[Luqmaan: 13]
He The Almighty also says: {And it was already revealed to you and to those before you that if you should associate [anything] with Allaah, your work would surely become worthless, and you would surely be among the losers."}[Az-Zumar: 65]
He The Almighty also says: { Indeed, he who associates others with Allaah- Allaah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers.}[Al-Maa’idah: 72]
This kind of Shirk has also two categories:
A-Shirk of Ruboobiyyah: It is to establish equality between others than Allaah and Allaah regarding the matters that are special attributes of Allaah The Almighty alone or attributing something of it to others than Him such as creation, provision, giving life and death, managing the matters of this universe and the like. Allaah The Almighty says: {Is there any creator other than Allaah who provides for you from the heaven and earth? There is no deity except Him, so how are you deluded?} [Faatir: 3]
Or establishing equality between others than Allaah and Allaah The Almighty regarding something of His Names and Attributes. Allaah The Almighty says: {There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.}[Ash-Shoora: 11]
B- Shirk of Al-Uloohiyyah:It is to establish equality between others than Allaah and Allaah by dedicating something of the acts of worship for others than Allaah The Almighty such as prayer, fasting, supplication, seeking help, sacrifice, vowing and the like. It has some types. Amongst them are:
- Shirk of Du‘aa’ (supplication): Supplicating others than Allaah The Almighty regarding what no one can do except Allaah The Almighty such as giving life to the dead, curing the sick or seeking provision. That is because supplication is one of the greatest kinds of worship. It was narrated that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Du’aa’ is worship.” [Reported by At-Tirmithi and Ahmad]
So whoever invokes a prophet, angel, Wali (righteous worshiper), grave, stone or the like of the created beings is a disbeliever Mushrik. Allaah The Almighty says: {And whoever invokes besides Allaah another deity for which he has no proof - then his account is only with his Lord. Indeed, the disbelievers will not succeed.}[Al-Mu‘minoon: 117]
He The Almighty also says: {And when they board a ship, they supplicate Allaah, sincere to Him in religion. But when He delivers them to the land, at once they associate others with Him.}[Al-‘Ankaboot: 65]
Important note:Supplicating, seeking refuge and help from others are divided into three categories:
First: Supplicating a created being in one of the matters that one can realize with concrete means such as the question of the poor, when the drowned seeks the help to be saved from those who are present. This is permissible and allowed.
Second: Supplicating and seeking help of the created being in one of the matter that no one can do except Allaah The Almighty such as supplicating Him to make what is in the womb of the woman a boy, or seeking His help to make him enter Paradise and save him from the Hellfire. This is a major Shirk.
Third: Supplicating or seeking the help of a created being who cannot respond in the known concrete means such as supplicating and seeking the help of the dead and the absent. This is a major Shirk for this kind cannot be occurred except if the one who supplicates believed something secret in the supplicated person with which he can conduct the matter.
- Shirk of Intention, Wish and Aim: Itis to intend to do deeds totally for attaining the gains of the worldly life, showing off and fame as the people of pure hypocrisy do, and not intend to do them for the sake of Allaah The Almighty and the Hereafter. He will be a disbeliever and falls on the major Shirk. Allaah The Almighty says: {Whoever desires the life of this world and its adornments - We fully repay them for their deeds therein, and they therein will not be deprived. Those are the ones for whom there is not in the Hereafter but the Fire. And lost is what they did therein, and worthless is what they used to do.}[Hood: 15-16]
- Shirk of Obedience:So whoever obeys the created being regarding allowing what Allaah The Almighty has prohibited or prohibiting what Allaah The Almighty has allowed and believe in this with his heart i.e. permit them to allow and prohibit and permit himself and others to obey them although he knows that this goes against the religion of Islam. In this way, he has taken them as lords besides Allaah The Almighty and committed the major Shirk with Allaah The Almighty. Allaah The Almighty says: {They have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allaah, and [also] the Messiah, the son of Mary. And they were not commanded except to worship one God; there is no deity except Him. Exalted is He above whatever they associate with Him.}[At-Tawbah: 31]
- Shirk of Love:Love here means the love of servitude that entails honoring, glorification, humiliation, and submission that should be for Allaah The Almighty alone who has no partner. Whenever the slave dedicates such love to others than Allaah The Almighty, then he commits the major Shirk with Allaah The Almighty. Allaah The Almighty says: {And [yet], among the people are those who take other than Allaah as equals [to Him]. They love them as they [should] love Allaah. But those who believe are stronger in love for Allaah.}[Al-Baqarah: 165]
Secondly: Minor Shirk: It is all that can be conducive to major Shirk and a means to fall on it, or it is what has been established from the texts of the Book or of the Sunnah, as being designated as Shirk, but it is not from the types of major Shirk. It can be occurred in deeds and words and it is obligatory to repent of it.
Amongst its examples are:
A- Little amount of Riyaa’ (showing off):It was narrated that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “The thing that I fear most for you is minor Shirk.” He was asked what that was, and he said, “Showing off. On the Day of Resurrection, Allaah will say to those who show off, “Go to those for whom you used to show off in the world, and see whether you find any reward with them.” [Reported by Ahmad]
B-Hanging up amulets: Amulets are all what are worn on the necks. They are made from spells, pearls or bones in order to ward off evil or to bring some benefits. It is one of the kinds of Shirk for it is a kind of putting trust in others than Allaah The Almighty. No one can ward off evil except Allaah The Almighty and harmful matters cannot be expelled except by Allaah The Almighty, His Names and Attributes. It was narrated that the Messenger of Allaah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “(Non-Prescribed) Ruqyah[1], amulets and love-charms are Shirk.” [Reported by Abu Daawood]
He, peace and blessings be upon him, also said: “‘Whoever wears an amulet has committed Shirk.” [Reported by Ahmad]
If the one who wears it believes that it affects by itself away from Allaah The Almighty, then he commits major Shirk regarding the Tawheed of Ar-Ruboobiyyah for he believes that there is a creator and manager besides Allaah The Almighty.
If he believes that the whole matter is decided by Allaah The Almighty and it is just a means that has no effect, then he commits the minor Shirk, because he is regarding something that is not a means as a means and turning to others than Allaah The Almighty with his heart. His action is conducive to the major Shirk if his heart believes in it and hopes that it can bring him benefit or ward off harm.
2- Kufr:It is the opposite of Eemaan (faith). It refers to all beliefs, words and actions that the religion has ruled that they contradict Eemaan wholly or partially.
It is of two types:
Firstly, Major Kufr: It means not believing in Allaah and His Messenger, whether that is accompanied by denial or it is not accompanied by denial but rather doubt, or turning away from faith out of jealousy or arrogance, or because one is following whims and desires that prevent one from following the message. It necessitates eternal existence in the Hellfire. It has some kinds. Amongst them are:
- The Kufr of denial:It refers to the belief of the untruthfulness of the Messengers, peace be upon them. So whoever denies something of what they come with inwardly or outwardly commits Kufr (he is a disbeliever). Allaah The Almighty says: {And who is more unjust than one who invents a lie about Allaah or denies the truth when it has come to him? Is there not in Hell a [sufficient] residence for the disbelievers?} [Al-‘Ankaboot: 68]
- The kufr of turning away in arrogance: It refer to the idea when one knows the truthfulness of the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, and that what he came with is from Allaah The Almighty, but not submit to his judgment and obey his command in arrogance and stubbornness. Allaah The Almighty says: {And [mention] when We said to the angels, "Prostrate before Adam"; so they prostrated, except for Iblees. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers.} [Al-Baqarah: 34]
-The Kufr of doubt,which means hesitating and being uncertain with the truthfulness of the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him. It is also called Kufr Athann (i.e. doubt), it is the opposite of Al-Jazm (certainty and sureness). Allaah The Almighty says: {And he entered his garden while he was unjust to himself. He said, "I do not think that this will perish - ever. And I do not think the Hour will occur. And even if I should be brought back to my Lord, I will surely find better than this as a return." His companion said to him while he was conversing with him, "Have you disbelieved in He who created you from dust and then from a sperm-drop and then proportioned you [as] a man? But as for me, He is Allaah, my Lord, and I do not associate with my Lord anyone.} [Al-Kahf: 35-38]
-The Kufr of I‘raadh (turning away): It refers to complete turning away from the religion of Islam i.e. turn away with his hearing, heart, knowledge from what the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, came with. Allaah The Almighty says: {But those who disbelieve, from that of which they are warned, are turning away.} [Al-Ahqaaf: 3]
- The Kufr of Hypocrisy:demonstrating Eemaan and hiding Kufr. Allaah The Almighty says: {That is because they believed, and then they disbelieved; so their hearts were sealed over, and they do not understand.} [Al-Munaafiqoon: 3]
It is of two kinds:
1- Doctrinal Hypocrisy. It is a major Kufr that puts one beyond the pale of Islam. It has some types: denial of the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, denial of some of what he came with, hating the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, hating some of what he came with, rejoicing over the decline of the religion of the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, or resenting the victory and prevalence of the religion of the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him.
2- Practical hypocrisy. It is a minor Kufr which does not put one beyond the pale of Islam, but it is a great crime and sin. Amongst its examples is the Hadeeth in which the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, 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; whenever he is entrusted, he betrays, whenever he speaks, he tells a lie, whenever he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous and whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very imprudent, evil and insulting manner.” [Reported by Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
- Claiming knowing the Al-Ghayb (unseen, unknown):Al-Ghayb is all what is hidden from the minds and eyes of the present, past and future matters. Allaah The Almighty only kept the knowledge of it and made this exclusive for Him The Almighty. Allaah The Almighty says:
{Say, "None in the heavens and earth knows the unseen except Allaah.} [An-Naml: 65]
So no one knows the unseen except Allaah The Almighty; no angel who is close to Him nor any Prophet who was sent, rather, all others than them.
Allaah The Almighty may inform some of His creation about some of the unseen matters via revelation as Allaah The Almighty says: {[He is] Knower of the unseen, and He does not disclose His [knowledge of the] unseen to anyone. Except whom He has approved of messengers, and indeed, He sends before each messenger and behind him observers. That he may know that they have conveyed the messages of their Lord; and He has encompassed whatever is with them and has enumerated all things in number.} [Al-Jinn: 26-28]
This is of the relative unseen which is concealed from some creation rather than some others. As for the absolute unseen, no one knows it except Allaah The Almighty.
Therefore, every Muslim individual should warn against fortunetellers and liars who claim knowing the unseen who fabricate lies against Allaah The Almighty, who had misguided themselves and misled many and have strayed from the soundness of the way such as the sorcerers, fortunetellers astrologers and the like.
Secondly, Minor Kufr:It does not put one beyond the pale of Islam, nor does necessitate eternal existence in the Hellfire, but rather it deserves severe punishment and threat. It is ungratefulness. It comprises all of sins that are referred to in the Book and the Sunnah as Kufr, but do not reach the level of major Kufr.
Amongst its examples is the statement of Allaah The Almighty: {And Allaah presents an example: a city which was safe and secure, its provision coming to it in abundance from every location, but it denied the favors of Allaah. So Allaah made it taste the envelopment of hunger and fear for what they had been doing.} [An-Nahl: 112]
And the Hadeeth of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, in which he said: “There are two practices found among people, both of which indicate disbelief: casting aspersions upon people’s lineages and wailing for the dead.” [Reported by Muslim]
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[1]As for the non-prescribed Ruqyah, it is that contains shirk-related matters such as spells. However, the prescribed Ruqyah that is performed by reciting Quran, invocations and supplications and that are mentioned in the authentic Sunnah, then it is permissible. (Translator)
