Fatwa ID: 07477
Answered by Maulana Ubaidur Rahman
Question:
If a person claims to be Sunni but has a Shia belief for example they believe in the 12 imams and believe the imams are free from sin. Does this particular belief take them out of the fold of Islam? Is marriage with such a person allowed?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Allah mentions in the Quran:
{النَّبِيُّ أَوْلَى بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَأَزْوَاجُهُ أُمَّهَاتُهُمْ}
Translation: The Prophet is more worthy of the believers than themselves.
It is a core belief that every person is a sinner and in need of repentance, rectification, and constantly turning towards their Lord in need and beseeching for his forgiveness.
Anas bin Malik (RA) reports that The Prophet (PBUH) said,
“ كُلُّ بَنِي آدَمَ خَطَّاءٌ وَخَيْرُ الْخَطَّائِينَ التَّوَّابُونَ ” .
Translation: It was narrated from Anas that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“Every son of Adam commits sin, and the best of those who commit sin are those who repent.’”
This hadeeth mentions how everyone is a sinner, therefore not excluding anyone from this bracket, and this includes the alleged twelve Imams. Viewing it as permissible to operate or live outside the boundaries established by Sharia and not acting in accordance with the prescribed rules set by Allah and his beloved Messenger takes a person outside the fold of Islam.
Believing that people are sinless and are free from sin does take one out of the fold of Islam as this is something which is part of our belief system that everyone is dependent upon Allah for forgiveness and reliant on him for his mercy and favour.
Relating to whether marriage with such a person is permissible, Allah mentions in the Quran:
Allah Most High says:
“Do not marry unbelieving women until they believe. A slave woman who believes is better than an unbelieving woman, even if she attracts you. And do not marry off (your girls) to unbelievers until they believe. A man slave who believes is better than an unbeliever, even if he attracts you. Unbelievers do (but) beckon you to the fire but Allah beckons by His grace to the garden (of bliss) and forgiveness, and makes His signs clear to mankind; that they may receive admonition.”
Marriage with such a person who has gone out of faith and effectively apostate is not permissible, marriage with them would only be allowed after they have retaken their proclamation of faith and are firm in their belief once again i.e. establishing themselves as a Muslim.
Sharh Aqeeda Matn il Tahawi, Page 31, Maktabatus Shaamila.
Kitaab u Jawaab I Ahlis Sunnah, Page 77, Maktabatus Shaamila.
Only Allah knows best.
Answered by Maulana Ubaidur Rahman.
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah.
Darul Ifta Birmingham.
Surah Ahzab, verse 6.
Sunan Ibn Maajah, 4251.
Surah Baqara, 221.
الحمد لله رب العالمين
قال العلامة حجة الإسلام أبو جعفر الوراق الطحاوي بمصر رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ:
هذا ذكر بيان عقيدة أهل السنة والجماعة على مذهب فقهاء الملة أبي حنيفة النعمان بن ثابت الكوفي وأبي يوسف يعقوب بن إبراهيم الأنصاري وأبي عبد الله محمد بن الحسن الشيباني رضوان الله عليهم أجمعين وما يَعْتَقِدُونَ مِنْ أُصُولِ الدِّينِ وَيَدِينُونَ بِهِ رَبَّ العالمين (١)
١ – نَقُولُ فِي تَوْحِيدِ اللَّهِ مُعْتَقِدِينَ بِتَوْفِيقِ اللَّهِ إن الله واحد لا شريك له
[فصل الشيعة المعتدلون من أئمة الحديث]
وأما قوله: (وممن رموه بالتشيع: أهل السنة والجماعة المذكورون: علي بن المديني شيخ البخاري، وعبد الرزاق الصنعاني، وأحمد بن عقدة، والدارقطني، والحاكم … إلخ.
فيقال: هذا مما يبين لك معرفة أهل الحديث بأحوال الرجال، وبعدهم عن التعصب والهوى، وهؤلاء الأئمة الذين عددتهم هم عند أهل السنة والجماعة من أئمة العلم يقتدون بهم، ويأخذون عنهم، ويرحلون إليهم، ولو كان فيهم بعض التشيع الذي لا يخرجهم عن أن يكونوا أئمة هدى يقتدى بهم
