And from the most dangerous amongst them and those that occur most
often are ten nullifiers [1] that we will mention to you in the
following lines, in a summarized manner, so that you may beware of
them and warn others about them, hoping that Allaah will protect and
safeguard us from them. We will also mention a few short
clarifications after them.
First: Shirk (associating partners) in the worship of Allaah. Allaah
says: “Verily, Allaah does not forgive that partners be associated
with Him in worship (Shirk), but He forgives what is less than that
to whom He wills.” [Surah An-Nisaa: 116]
And He says: “Verily, the one who mixes partners in worship with
Allaah (Shirk), then Paradise has been made forbidden for him and
his final abode will be the Hellfire. And the wrongdoers will not
have any helpers (in Hell).” [Surah Al-Maa’idah: 72]
What falls into this is supplicating and invoking the deceased,
seeking assistance from them, as well as making oaths to them and
offering sacrificial animals to them.
Second: Whoever places intermediaries between himself and Allaah,
asking them to intercede on his behalf, and relying on them, has
committed disbelief according to the unanimous agreement of the
scholars.
Third: Whoever does not hold the polytheists to be disbelievers, or
has doubts about their disbelief or considers their ways and beliefs
to be correct, has committed disbelief.
Fourth: Whoever believes that some guidance other than that of the
Prophet’s (sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam) is more complete than his
guidance and that someone else’s judgement is better than his
judgement, such as those who prefer the judgement of the Tawaagheet
(pl. of Taaghoot; false deities/religions) over his judgement, then
he is a disbeliever.
Fifth: Whoever hates something that the Messenger came with, even
though he may act on it, has disbelieved, based on Allaah’s
saying: “That is because they disliked what Allaah sent down, so He
nullified their (good) deeds.” [Surah Muhammad: 9]
Sixth: Whoever mocks or ridicules any part of the Messenger’s
Religion or its rewards or punishments has committed an act of
disbelief. The proof for this is Allaah’s statement: “Say: `Was it
Allaah and His verses and His Messenger that you were mocking? Make
no excuses, you have disbelieved after having had faith.” [Surah At-
Tawbah: 65-66]
Seventh: Sorcery, which includes magic spells that causes a person
to hate (sarf) [2] or love (`atf) [3] someone/something. So whoever
performs it or is pleased with it being done, has committed
disbelief. The proof for this is Allaah’s statement: “And neither of
these two (angels) would teach anyone until they had first said to
them: `We are only a trial (for the people), so do not commit
disbelief.’” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 102]
Eighth: Supporting and assisting the polytheists against the
Muslims. The proof for this is Allaah’s statement: “And whoever
amongst you takes them (i.e. the disbelievers) as allies and
protectors then he is indeed from among them. Verily, Allaah does
not guide a wrong-doing [4] people.” [Surah Al-Maa’idah: 51]
Ninth: Whoever believes that it is permitted for some people to be
free of (implementing) the Sharee’ah (revealed laws) of Muhammad
(i.e. Islaam), then he is a disbeliever, according to Allaah’s
statement: “And whoever seeks a Religion other than Islaam, it will
never be accepted from him and in the Hereafter, he will be from
among the losers.” [Surah Aali `Imraan: 85]
Tenth: Turning away from Allaah’s Religion, not learning it or
implementing it (is an act of disbelief). The proof for this is
Allaah’s saying: “And who does more wrong [5] than he who is
reminded [6] of the ayaat (signs/verses) of his Lord, then turns
away [7] from them. Verily, We shall extract retribution [8] from
the criminals.” [Surah As-Sajdah: 22]
There is no difference, with regard to (committing any of) these
nullifiers, between the one who jokes, the one who is serious or the
one who does so out of fear. However, the one who commits them due
to being coerced (is excused). All of these (ten) matters are from
the gravest in danger and from those that most often occur. So the
Muslim must beware of them and fear from these acts befalling him.