Fatwa ID: 04105

Answered by: Alimah Nasima Umm Hamza

Question

A Muslim has tawakkul , yaqeen in Allah Ta'ala, he has fear of Allah Ta'ala and also has a good opinion of Allah Ta'ala. If a person doesn't have these, then he goes out of Islam. Also, doing sinful acts and complaining about bad times, like 'why is this happening to me?' or 'my situation is not going to change' etc – being like this doesn't mean a person doesn't have all of the above qualities. Instead, it is just sinful and impatient behavior.

Similarly, when a person sins, it is said that it reduces the fear of Allah Ta'ala but it doesn't mean that a person is out of the fold of Islam. Therefore, if a person complains of bad times, it doesn't mean that a person doesn't have a good opinion of Allah (naudhu billah) but rather this is impatient behavior and a sinful act. I am finding it a bit hard to explain what I am trying to say. I hope you understand what I am asking. To be honest, I am having lots of wasaawis that's why I thought to ask.

Also in regards to disappointment, if a person gets sad and disappointed over something and complain to people that things are not getting better or will not be better etc. or even complains to Allah Ta'ala for that matter, then that disappointment doesn't mean that he is out of Islam but is sinful. Deep down, Muslims do know that Allah Ta'ala can do everything and it is in the hands of Allah Ta'ala but due to being impatient or angry etc. they say these sinful things.

Is my above understanding correct?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In The Name Of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful

Answer:

Imam At-Tahawi states in his Adeeqah At-Tahawiyyah that:

“A servant is not considered to have left his faith except by denying that which originally caused him to enter into it,” (Article 96)

Therefore, to come out of the fold of Islam would require a person to disbelieve in those things which made him a Muslim in the first place i.e. Allah’s oneness and attributes, His Shariah, angels, books, messengers, Day of Judgment, or the resurrection.

The things which you mention are not pillars of our Iman and therefore being deficient in these will not take you out of the fold of Islam.

As humans, we have been created as having weaknesses and deficiencies. We will make mistakes and sin. We are continuously in a battle to better ourselves and improve ourselves in order to become more beloved to Allah (swt). In fact, this is why we should continuously make tawbah (repentance) for our sins and deficiencies, and always ask Allah (swt) to guide us.

Only Allah knows best

Answered by Alimah Nasima Umm Hamza

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham