Fatwa ID: 05563

Answered by: Shaykh Shafiur Rahman

Question:

If during a discussion a Muslim out of ignorance say something that was inappropriate about the Prophet Muhammad SAW or one of his actions. However, the person soon realises his mistake that whatever he said was not correct and was disrespectful towards Prophet Muhammad SAW and he is ashamed of the mistake he committed. Now should he do tawbah and continue living his life as a Muslim? Or are the doors of tawbah closed for him and now it is of no use to continue living as a Muslim because ultimately he will die a kafir. Please guide as he is ashamed of what he said and he loves the Prophet and Islam. Is there any chance that he should continue being a Muslim or will he now be a kafir and has no chance of repentance?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

Without a doubt, the station, rank and dignity of the Prophet ﷺis something that all Muslims must respect and take utmost care to not say anything about the Prophet ﷺ that shows the slightest of disrespect, criticism or bad manners toward him. In fact, our Iman is not perfected until we love the Prophet ﷺ more than anyone and anything including ourselves.

[Quran 9:24] Proclaim:” If your parents, your children, your siblings, your spouses, your family, the money you have earned, a business you worry about, and the homes you cherish are more beloved to you than God and His messenger, and the striving in His cause, then just wait until God brings His judgment.” God does not guide the wicked people.

Indeed, Allah showers His blessings upon the Prophet, and His angels pray for him. O, believers! Invoke Allah’s blessings upon him, and salute him with worthy greetings of peace. (Quran 33:56)

However, if someone out of ignorance or carelessness says something that is not befitting of the dignity of the Prophet then he needs to make a sincere tauba (repentance). He will not have left the fold of Islam unless he made a clear statement of kufr. Allah accepts the tauba (repentance) of all who turn to him sincerely whilst having Iman and firm determination to not return to that sin.

Allah says in the Quran;

{The repentance accepted by Allah is only for those who do wrong in ignorance [or carelessness] and then repent soon [after].1 It is those to whom Allah will turn in forgiveness, and Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.} (Quran 4:17)

{But those who committed evil deeds and then repented afterwards and believed, verily, your Lord after (all) that is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.} (Quran 7:153)

One should then make a full effort to learn the basic pillars of our creed and articles of faith including what we must believe about the Prophet ﷺ and how we must love and respect him.

Only Allah knows best

Written by Shaykh Shafiur Rahman

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham