1. Al-Takfeer is deemed a legal ruling, an absolute right exclusive to the Lord, Glory be to

him. It is not the possession of a particular institution, or group. It has no consideration for the intellect or inclination. It has no concern for an intense [level] of tyranny, nor manifest oppression. It does not take into consideration the oppression ofthe tyrant who is persisting in his despotism and error. Nor the violence of the uncompromising dictator [continuing] in his tyranny and deception. For it does not charge an individual with unbelief, save the one who has been charged with unbelief by Allah and His Messenger. Shaykh al-Islaam ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy upon him) stated: This [principle] is contrary to what a group of people maintain, e.g. Abee Ishaaq AI­ Asfraayeenee and whosoever follows him, for they declare: We do not charge with unbelief, save those who charged us with unbelief. [Never-the-less] the charge of unbelief is not their right, rather it is the Right of Allah. It is impermissible for an individual to utter a falsehood against the one who uttered it upon him. It is impermissible [for a person] to commit an act of indecency with an individual [or his family], who committed the action with that person [or his family]. Rather, if the individual was forcibly made to participate in the act of homosexuality, it is impermissible for the victim to reciprocate in a similar manner, for this is forbidden by the Right of Allah the Most High. If the Christian abuses our Prophet, it is not [correct] for us to abuse Al-Maseeh. If the Raafidah declare Abu Bakr and 'Umar to be apostates, it is not [correct] for us to declare 'Ali of apostasy, see (Ibn Taymiyyah, Minhaaj al-Sunnah, 244/5). Ibn al-Qayyim mentioned in his poem [entitled] 'al-Nuneeyah': ~, ~ ~~\.J~!.l\j.j.I)S"» :~.J~\~.J S(If af-:Kz¢ris the ~R:iBFit of.J\«aFitFien J-fis :Messenger, 'By [means] ofan autiieniic text, not witFi tFie statement ofan individual: WFi.osoever the LoraoftFie WorlltS anaJ-fis Slave, CFiaroeawitFi unDerief, indeed'lie is inpossession oftwo [a{{eoations] of:Kz¢r. Shaykh ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allah protect him) [Responding to the question: Do you charge the People of Ta'weel (baseless interpretation) with unbelief or deviation?] said: An explanationof Riyadha1-Saliheen fromthe wordsof the Masterof the Messengers The ruling of Talifeer and Tafseeq [charge ofdeviation] is not our [right], rather it is for Allah the Most High and His Messenger (~J.,lr';;" ~). For it is from amongst the legislative principles attributed to the Book and the Sunnah. Certitude must [be attained] to the highest degree, hence no individual is charged with unbelief or deviance save the one whose unbelief and deviance is mentioned in the Book and the Sunnah. The cardinal principle in relation to a Muslim dictates that he is in possession of a presumed honourable record. His Islaarn remains and his honourable record remains until it is established that it has been terminated in accordance with a Sharee 'ah principle. It is impermissible to be heedless [or negligent] concerning the charge of unbelief or deviance, for this concerns two severe dangers: The First - To fabricate a lie against Allah the Most High, in the ruling [allegedly attributed to .Him the Most High], and upon the one sentenced, by reason ofan ascription which is derisive and attributed to him (i.e. the charge ofunbelief). The Second - To arrive upon that which confers an insulting and derisive name to the individual's brother [i.e. the one sentenced], should he be innocent ofthe allegation. In sahih al-Muslim, it has been reported by 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet (~J.,lr .;;" ~) who stated: ..t" // // <:»: ~.--..f-- :J' ~ .--..f.J,., ".. //~.. " A. ( ~ "\ ~ Whosoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the way of the Believers, We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell - what an evil destination [Surah al-Nisa'a : Ayah 115]. An explanation of Riyadh al-Saliheen from the words of the Master of the Messengers In addition to His statement: J" ~" • " "", A. ~.k." '. -'It" .illI-=; • r . -'~:1' .'" ., "r~ ~r~~" -=;1 ::I.illr .(~ ).. "( ~~!Y"; --'.--'..JA: fT~~~ ' . ..,,~, --' OJ r , '/..,., ... " Allah will never lead a people astray after He has guided them until He makes clear to them that which they should avoid. Verily Allah is the All-Knower of all matters [Surah al-Tawbah : Ayah 115]. Accordingly, the People of Knowledge stated: An individual who rejects the obligatory acts of worship is not be charged with unbelief if he has recently embraced Islaam, until [his error] is made manifestly clear to him, see (Al-Qawaaid al-Muthalee fee Sifaat w Asmaa 'ahu al-Husnaa, p.87-89). It is necessary that we consider and reflect over the meaning of the condition stipulated by the Shaykh, for it denotes: