Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem
The noble Sheikh Saalih Bin Fawzaan Al-Fawzaan (hafidhahullaah) was asked the following question in the book entitled Masaa'il Fil Imaan [
Matters in Faith] page 18-19
What are the divisions of the Murjiah? While mentioning their statements as they pertain to Imaan?
The Answer:
The Murjiah are divided into four groups:
The first group
Are those who say that Imaan is only acknowledgement even if it doesn’t result in Tasdeeq. And this is the statement of the Jahmiyyah. And this is the evilest and vilest of statements and it is disbelief in Allaah Azza wa Jall and that is because the Mushrikeenal Awwaleen (the first Mushrikeen) and Firawn and Haamaan and Qaaroon and Iblees everyone one of them acknowledged [belief in] Allaah Azza wa Jall with their hearts, But when they didn't pronounce with their tongues nor affirmed beliefs in their hearts nor actualized their belief with their limbs then their mere acknowledgement [affirmation] did not benefit them.
The Second Group:
They are those who say indeed Imaan is affirmation in the heart only and this is the statement of the Ashaa'irah, and this is also a false statement and that is because the disbelievers affirm belief in their hearts, [and] they knew [with certainty] that the Qur'aan is the truth and that the Messenger was truthful and the Jews and the Christians knew that [as well]. Allaah says:
"Those that We have given the book, they know him,as they know their own sons and indeed a group from amongst them cover the truth when they know."
2:146
[So] they believed in their hearts. And Allaahu Ta'aalaa says concerning the Mushrikeeen [those who worship others along with Allaah]
"We know that you, [O Muhammad], are saddened by what they say. And indeed, they do not call you untruthful, but it is the verses of Allah that the wrongdoers reject."
[6:33]
So they never pronounced with their tongues nor implemented [this belief] with their bodily limbs while believing in their hearts so they were not considered believers.
The Third Group:
The group that opposes the Ashaa’irah and they are the Karaamiyyah, those who say that indeed Imaan is a statement of the tongue even if it is not believed in the heart. There is no doubt that this statement is false and that is because the Munaafiqeen [those who outwardly express Islaam but inwardly disbelieve in Islaam] are in the lowest part of the hellfire say, “We bear witness that there is no deity worthy of [being worshipped in truth and by right] except Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah with their tongues and actualized their [Imaan] with their bodily limbs but they did not believe that nor did they affirm beliefs in their hearts, just as Allaahu Ta’aalaa says:
“When the hypocrites come to you (O Muhammad ), they say: "We bear witness that you are indeed the Messenger of Allah." Allah knows that you are indeed His Messenger and Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are liars indeed. They have made their oaths a screen (for their hypocrisy). Thus they hinder (men) from the Path of Allah. Verily, evil is what they used to do.”
[63:1-2]
And He Subhaanahu wa Ta’aalaa says:
“They say with their tongues what is not present in their hearts”
[48:11]
The fourth group:
Is the statement of the Murjiah Al-Fuquhaa and they are the lightest sect with respect to Irjaa, those that say that indeed Imaan is a belief in the heart and a pronounciation with the tongue and actions do not enter into it [Imaan] and this is the statement of the Murjiah Al-Fuquhaa and this statement is other than correct as well. And that is because there is no Imaan without action.
Translated by
Abu Ukkaasha Shaakir