This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Irshad Ullah Maan's book In Search of Truth.
Here are some examples from the Holy Quran where Allah Almighty has responded to the arguments of the polytheists of our time:
The response to the people of falsehood is of two types:
[1] Concise
[2]Detailed
[1] Concise response:
So it is a great matter and a great benefit for the wise, like the command of Allah Almighty:
[ہُوَ الَّذِیۡۤ اَنۡزَلَ عَلَیۡکَ الۡکِتٰبَ مِنۡہُ اٰیٰتٌ مُّحۡکَمٰتٌ ہُنَّ اُمُّ الۡکِتٰبِ وَ اُخَرُ مُتَشٰبِہٰتٌ ؕ فَاَمَّا الَّذِیۡنَ فِیۡ قُلُوۡبِہِمۡ زَیۡغٌ فَیَتَّبِعُوۡنَ مَا تَشَابَہَ مِنۡہُ ابۡتِغَآءَ الۡفِتۡنَۃِ وَ ابۡتِغَآءَ تَاۡوِیۡلِہٖ وَ مَا یَعۡلَمُ تَاۡوِیۡلَہٗۤ اِلَّا اللّٰہُ]
He it is Who has sent down to you the Book; in it are verses that are precise—they are the foundation of the Book—and others unspecific. As for those in whose hearts is deviation, they follow that of it which is unspecific, seeking discord and seeking an interpretation suitable to them. And none knows its true interpretation except Allah.
Reference: Al Imran:7
Also, in an authentic hadith, the Prophet ﷺ said:
[ فإذا رأيت الذين يتبعون ما تشابه منه فأولئك الذين سمى الله فاحذروهم]
When you see such people who are engaged in ambiguous verses, remember that these are the very people whom Allah Almighty has mentioned (in the above verse). Therefore, keep away from them.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Tafsir, (Surah Al-Imran) Chapter on Clear Verses:4547
The example is that if a polytheist reads this noble verse:
[1] [اَلَاۤ اِنَّ اَوۡلِیَآءَ اللّٰہِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَیۡہِمۡ وَ لَا ہُمۡ یَحۡزَنُوۡنَ]
Know that those who are friends of Allah will have no fear, nor will they grieve.
Reference: Yunus:62
[2] Or says that intercession is rightful.
[3] Or says that the Prophets, peace be upon them, have a very high status with Allah Almighty.
[4] Or reads any saying of the Noble Messenger ﷺ from which he wants to argue for his false belief.
And you do not understand the meaning of the words he mentions.
So respond to him that Allah Almighty has said in His Book: those whose hearts are crooked follow the ambiguous verses, leaving aside the clear verses. And as I have mentioned before, Allah Almighty has stated: the polytheists acknowledged the Lordship of Allah, but they were called disbelievers only because they established their relationship with angels, prophets, and saints in this sense: [ہٰۤؤُلَآءِ شُفَعَآؤُنَا عِنۡدَ اللّٰہِ] These are our intercessors with Allah.
Reference: Yunus:18
This matter is so clear and indisputable that no one can change its meaning or implication. But O polytheist! When you present a verse of the Holy Quran or the words of the Noble Messenger ﷺ, I may not understand its meaning, but I say one decisive thing: there is no contradiction in the words of Allah Almighty. And the Messenger of Allah ﷺ cannot say anything against the words of Allah Almighty.
This answer is very good and straightforward; only the person whom Allah Almighty has granted the ability will understand it. Do not consider this answer trivial; Allah Almighty says about it:
[وَ مَا یُلَقّٰہَاۤ اِلَّا الَّذِیۡنَ صَبَرُوۡا ۚ وَ مَا یُلَقّٰہَاۤ اِلَّا ذُوۡحَظٍّ عَظِیۡمٍ]
And this is attained only by those who are patient, and it is only granted to the great [in bounty].
Reference: Al-Sajda:35
[2]The detailed answer is:
That the enemies of Allah Almighty raise many objections against the religion of the Prophets, peace be upon them, and prevent people from the religion. One of these objections is:
Objection:
They say that we do not associate anyone with Allah Almighty, but we bear witness that no one except Allah Almighty can create, provide sustenance, grant benefit, or cause harm, and that the Messenger (ﷺ) himself has no control over benefit or harm. The mention of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani, may Allah have mercy on him, and others has already been made, but I am a sinful person and the righteous have a high status in the court of Allah Almighty; I ask from Allah Almighty through their intercession.
Answer:
Give him the same answer that has already been given, which is that those people with whom the Messenger of Allah ﷺ fought battles also made the same acknowledgment that you are making. They acknowledged that their deities could not manage any affairs. Those people too sought status and intercession through them, and recite to them the verses that Allah Almighty has revealed in the Holy Quran and explain them well.
Objection:
If he says that these verses were revealed concerning the idol worshippers, then how do you liken the noble Prophets (peace be upon them) and righteous people to idols?
Answer:
Then give him the previous answer first, because when he admits that even the disbelievers acknowledged that lordship belongs only to Allah Almighty. And the individuals whose graves they visited were only sought for intercession, but Allah Almighty wants to differentiate between the deeds of the polytheists and the monotheists.
And tell him that among the disbelievers, some used to call upon idols, and some used to call upon the noble saints themselves. Allah Almighty has said concerning them:
Those whom they call upon besides Allah seek means of access to their Lord, striving to be nearer to Him.
Reference: Al-Isra:57
And some people used to call upon Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) and his mother, as the command of the Lord is:
[مَا الۡمَسِیۡحُ ابۡنُ مَرۡیَمَ اِلَّا رَسُوۡلٌ ۚ قَدۡ خَلَتۡ مِنۡ قَبۡلِہِ الرُّسُلُ ؕ وَ اُمُّہٗ صِدِّیۡقَۃٌ ؕ کَانَا یَاۡکُلٰنِ الطَّعَامَ ؕ اُنۡظُرۡ کَیۡفَ نُبَیِّنُ لَہُمُ الۡاٰیٰتِ ثُمَّ انۡظُرۡ اَنّٰی یُؤۡفَکُوۡنَ]،[ قُلۡ اَتَعۡبُدُوۡنَ مِنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰہِ مَا لَا یَمۡلِکُ لَکُمۡ ضَرًّا وَّ لَا نَفۡعًا ؕ وَ اللّٰہُ ہُوَ السَّمِیۡعُ الۡعَلِیۡمُ]
Jesus, the son of Mary, was only a messenger of Allah; many messengers had passed before him, and his mother (Mary, may Allah be pleased with her) was a wali (and a true obedient servant). Both (were human and) ate food. See! How We explain Our verses in detail for these people, then see where they are going astray. Say, "Why do you worship something besides Allah that has no power over your benefit or harm? And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing."
Reference: Al-Ma'idah: 76, 75
Allah Almighty further said:
[وَ یَوۡمَ یَحۡشُرُہُمۡ جَمِیۡعًا ثُمَّ یَقُوۡلُ لِلۡمَلٰٓئِکَۃِ اَہٰۤؤُلَآءِ اِیَّاکُمۡ کَانُوۡا یَعۡبُدُوۡنَ]،[ قَالُوۡا سُبۡحٰنَکَ اَنۡتَ وَلِیُّنَا مِنۡ دُوۡنِہِمۡ ۚ بَلۡ کَانُوۡا یَعۡبُدُوۡنَ الۡجِنَّ ۚ اَکۡثَرُہُمۡ بِہِمۡ مُّؤۡمِنُوۡنَ]
[And the Day He will gather them all together and say to the angels, "Did these people worship you?" They will say, "Exalted are You! You are our protector, not them. Rather, they worshipped the jinn; most of them were believers in them."]
Reference: Saba: 41, 40
Recite also this command of Allah Almighty:
[وَ اِذۡ قَالَ اللّٰہُ یٰعِیۡسَی ابۡنَ مَرۡیَمَ ءَاَنۡتَ قُلۡتَ لِلنَّاسِ اتَّخِذُوۡنِیۡ وَ اُمِّیَ اِلٰہَیۡنِ مِنۡ دُوۡنِ اللّٰہِ ؕ قَالَ سُبۡحٰنَکَ مَا یَکُوۡنُ لِیۡۤ اَنۡ اَقُوۡلَ مَا لَیۡسَ لِیۡ بِحَقٍّ اِنۡ کُنۡتُ قُلۡتُہٗ فَقَدۡ عَلِمۡتَہٗ ؕ تَعۡلَمُ مَا فِیۡ نَفۡسِیۡ وَ لَاۤ اَعۡلَمُ مَا فِیۡ نَفۡسِکَ ؕ اِنَّکَ اَنۡتَ عَلَّامُ الۡغُیُوۡبِ]
And also remember that time! When Allah Almighty will say: O Jesus, son of Mary! Did you say to the people, "Take me and my mother as gods besides Allah?" They will say: Glory be to You! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, You are the Knowing, the Wise. If I had said that, You would have known it. Indeed, You know what is in my heart, but I do not know what is in Yours. Indeed, You are the Knower of the unseen.
Reference: Al-Ma'idah: 116
Now ask about this: Is it understood that just as Allah Almighty has called those who worship idols disbelievers, similarly, those who intend to worship the righteous and pious people are also declared disbelievers, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ fought against them.
Objection:
If he says that the disbelievers and polytheists used to ask from those saints, and I bear witness that Allah Almighty is the only one who grants benefit and causes harm, He alone manages the universe, I only ask from Allah, and there is nothing in the control of the righteous, but I intend them because I hope for their intercession with Allah Almighty?
Answer:
The answer to this is that your statement and that of the disbelievers is the same, and recite this noble verse to him:
[وَ الَّذِیۡنَ اتَّخَذُوۡا مِنۡ دُوۡنِہٖۤ اَوۡلِیَآءَ مَا نَعۡبُدُہُمۡ اِلَّا لِیُقَرِّبُوۡنَاۤ اِلَی اللّٰہِ زُلۡفٰی]
And those whom they invoke besides Him say, "We only worship them that they may bring us nearer to Allah in position."
Reference: Az-Zumar:3
Also recite this verse: [وَیَقُوۡلُوۡنَ ہٰۤؤُلَآءِ شُفَعَآؤُنَا عِنۡدَ اللّٰہِ] And they say, "These are our intercessors with Allah."
Reference: Yunus:18
You should know that these three doubts of the polytheists are the greatest. Once you realize that Allah Almighty has clearly explained them in His Noble Book and you have understood them well, the answers to the remaining doubts become very easy.
Objection:
If he says that I only worship Allah Almighty and bowing to them and calling them is not their worship?
Answer:
Then ask him, do you admit that sincerity in worship is obligatory upon you? If he says yes! then tell him to explain that sincerity in worship which is obligatory upon you? If he does not know about worship and its types, then tell him that Allah Almighty says: [وَ قَالَ رَبُّکُمُ ادۡعُوۡنِیۡۤ اَسۡتَجِبۡ لَکُمۡ ؕ اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ یَسۡتَکۡبِرُوۡنَ عَنۡ عِبَادَتِیۡ سَیَدۡخُلُوۡنَ جَہَنَّمَ دٰخِرِیۡنَ]
And your Lord has said, "Call upon Me; I will respond to you." (F 127) Indeed, those who disdain My worship will surely enter Hell in humiliation.
Reference: Al-Mu’min :60
Reference: Benefit 127:
One interpretation of the verse is that supplication means worship, and in the Holy Quran, supplication (meaning) worship is mentioned many times. In the noble hadith: [الدعاء هو العبادة]
Reference: Abu Dawood:1479], [Tirmidhi:3372]
Reference: Translation by Ahmad Raza Khan and Tafsir Muradabadi.
When you explain this to him, then ask him if he knows that this is the worship of Allah Almighty? He will necessarily say yes! Because supplication and calling out is the essence of all worship.
Now tell him that since you have admitted that this is worship and you call upon Allah Almighty day and night with fear and hope, and when you called upon any prophet or any elder in your need, did you associate anyone other than Allah in the worship of Allah or not? He will necessarily say yes!
Now tell him that when you act upon the following command of Allah Almighty: [فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّکَ وَ انۡحَرۡ] "Establish prayer for your Lord and sacrifice."
Reference: Al-Kawthar:2
So you sacrificed and worshipped for the sake of Allah, then tell me, is this worship? He will necessarily say yes! Now tell him that if you slaughtered an animal for any creation, for example, a prophet or jinn, etc., did you not associate others with Allah in that worship? He will necessarily admit and say yes!
Also tell him that the polytheists about whom the Quran was revealed, did they not worship angels, righteous ones, and idols like Lat, etc.? He will necessarily say yes! Then ask him, was not their worship that they called upon them, slaughtered animals in their name, and sought refuge from them? Even though they admitted that they were servants of Allah and under His dominion. And Allah Almighty manages all affairs, yet they called upon them and relied on their status and intercession, which is a very clear matter.
Objection:
If he says, "Do you deny the intercession of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and express disavowal of it?"
Answer:
Then tell him that we do not deny intercession nor do we express disavowal of it. Rather, our faith is that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is an intercessor and one who pleads on behalf of others. And we hope for his intercession. But the permission for intercession is in the control of Allah, as Allah Almighty has said: [قُلۡ لِّلّٰہِ الشَّفَاعَۃُ جَمِیۡعًا] Say, "Intercession is only for Allah."
Reference: Az-Zumar:44
And this intercession will only occur after Allah's permission, as Allah Almighty has said:
[مَنۡ ذَا الَّذِیۡ یَشۡفَعُ عِنۡدَہٗۤ اِلَّا بِاِذۡنِہٖ] Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?
Reference: Al-Baqarah:255
Without Allah's permission, even the Messenger of Allah ﷺ will not intercede for anyone, as the Divine command states:
[وَلَا یَشۡفَعُوۡنَ ۙ اِلَّا لِمَنِ ارۡتَضٰی] And they cannot intercede except for one whom He approves.
Reference: Al-Anbiya:28
Also remember that Allah Almighty only likes monotheism, as the Divine command is:
[وَ مَنۡ یَّبۡتَغِ غَیۡرَ الۡاِسۡلَامِ دِیۡنًا فَلَنۡ یُّقۡبَلَ مِنۡہُ]And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted from him.
Reference: Al-Imran:85
When intercession is in the control of Allah. And it will only be with Allah's permission, and no one besides the Noble Messenger ﷺ can intercede without permission. And also remember that Allah Almighty will only grant permission to the people of monotheism. So now you have understood that all intercession is entirely under Allah's control. And I ask Allah Almighty and say: O Allah! Do not deprive me of the intercession of Your beloved Messenger ﷺ. O Allah! Grant the Noble Messenger ﷺ permission to intercede on my behalf.
Objection:
If someone says that the Messenger ﷺ has been given permission to intercede and I ask from what Allah has given you.
Answer:
So the answer to this is that indeed Allah Almighty has granted the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ the right of intercession, but you are forbidden from directly asking it from him ﷺ. As Allah Almighty says: [فَلَا تَدۡعُوۡا مَعَ اللّٰہِ اَحَدًا]Do not call upon anyone along with Allah.
Reference: Al-Jinn:18
And then when you call upon Allah saying, O Allah! Grant intercession to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ on my behalf, then obey the command of not calling upon anyone along with Allah and also tell them: [قُلۡ اِنَّمَاۤ اَدۡعُوۡا رَبِّیۡ وَ لَاۤ اُشۡرِکُ بِہٖۤ اَحَدًا]Say, I only call upon my Lord and do not associate anyone with Him.
Reference: Al-Jinn:20
Also ask this question that besides the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, others have also been granted intercession, as is proven by authentic hadiths that angels, memorizers of the Quran, small children, and pious saints will also intercede, so will you say about them as well that Allah Almighty has granted them intercession and I will ask from them too?
If you say so, then this is the worship of the righteous which Allah has mentioned in His Book: And if you deny it, then your statement automatically becomes false that Allah has given them intercession and I ask from what Allah has given them.
Objection:
If he says that I do not associate anyone with Allah, may Allah protect us from that, but supplicating and pleading to the righteous is not shirk (polytheism).
Answer:
Then tell him that when you admit that Allah has declared shirk more forbidden than adultery, and you also believe that Allah will not forgive shirk, then what kind of shirk is it that Allah has forbidden and will not forgive?
If he does not know, then tell him that if you do not know what shirk is, then how will you avoid it? How is it possible that Allah Almighty forbids something upon you and says that I will not forgive it, and you know nothing about it, nor do you ask? Do you think that Allah forbade it but did not explain it?
Objection:
If he says that shirk is the worship of idols, and we do not worship idols?
Answer:
Then ask him, what does the worship of idols mean? Do you think that the polytheists of Arabia believed that these pieces of wood or stones create something, provide sustenance, or manage the affairs of those who call upon them? Absolutely not, the Holy Quran denies this.
Objection:
If he says that worship is when a person intends to call upon wood or stone or a building constructed on a grave, etc., and sacrifices an animal in their name, saying that this brings me closer to Allah or that through their blessing Allah removes hardship or gives us something?
Answer:
Then say, yes! You have said correctly, and you do exactly this by going to those stones and buildings constructed on graves. He then admits that this act of theirs is the worship of idols, and this is the intended meaning.
He should also be told: Your statement that shirk is the worship of idols, do you mean that shirk is limited only to this, and that trusting in righteous people and calling upon them is not shirk? Allah Almighty has confirmed this in His Book and has declared every person who establishes such a connection with angels, Jesus (peace be upon him), or any of the righteous as a disbeliever.
This person will necessarily admit that whoever associates any righteous person in the worship of Allah Almighty, this is the very shirk mentioned in the Holy Quran and this is the intended meaning.
The secret of this issue is that if he says that I do not associate anyone with Allah Almighty, then ask him to explain what associating partners with Allah means.
If he says that the worship of idols is called shirk, then ask him to explain what the worship of idols means.
If he says that I do not worship anyone except Allah Almighty, then ask him to explain what the worship of Allah Almighty means.
If he explains exactly what the Holy Quran has stated, then fine; otherwise, he does not know, so how can he claim something which he does not know?
And if he expresses a meaning that contradicts the meanings of the Qur'anic verses, then present to him the clear verses regarding shirk and idol worship, and explain that these are exactly the things that the current people of the Ummah also do, and that we are only criticized for worshiping Allah alone, without any partner. And they utter such nonsense against us just as their previous brothers have done: [اَجَعَلَ الۡاٰلِہَۃَ اِلٰـہًا وَّاحِدًا ۚۖ اِنَّ ہٰذَا لَشَیۡءٌ عُجَابٌ] Did He make one God instead of many gods? That is indeed a strange thing.
Reference: Sa:5
Objection:
If he says that calling upon angels and prophets is not the reason they were declared disbelievers, but rather they were declared disbelievers because they said that angels are the daughters of Allah, but we do not consider Sheikh Abdul Qadir, etc., as the son of Allah?
Answer:
Then say that attributing offspring to Allah is an absolute disbelief. Allah Almighty has said:
[قُلۡ ہُوَ اللّٰہُ اَحَدٌ]،[ اَللّٰہُ الصَّمَدُ][Say: He is Allah, the One], [The Only, the Absolute].
Reference: Al-Ikhlas:2,1
Ahad: He is the Being who has no equal or likeness.
As-Samad: He is the One to whom needs and necessities are turned, therefore whoever denies Allah being As-Samad has committed disbelief, even if he does not deny the entire Surah. The Divine statement is: [مَا اتَّخَذَ اللّٰہُ مِنۡ وَّلَدٍ وَّ مَا کَانَ مَعَہٗ مِنۡ اِلٰہٍ] Allah has neither taken a son nor is there any other deity with Him.
Reference: Al-Mu’minun:91
Allah Almighty has described these two types separately and has declared each a permanent disbelief. The Divine statement is:
[وَ جَعَلُوۡا لِلّٰہِ شُرَکَآءَ الۡجِنَّ وَ خَلَقَہُمۡ وَ خَرَقُوۡا لَہٗ بَنِیۡنَ وَ بَنٰتٍۭ بِغَیۡرِ عِلۡمٍ] And those who have taken jinn as partners with Allah, while He created them, and without knowledge have attributed to Him sons and daughters.
Reference: Al-An’am:100
In this verse, Allah Almighty has distinguished between these two types of disbelief. Another proof of this is that those who disbelieved by worshipping at night did not say that Lat was the son of Allah. He was a righteous person, and those who disbelieved by worshipping jinn also did not consider the jinn to be the children of Allah. Similarly, the scholars of all four schools of thought state the ruling on apostasy as follows:
When a Muslim holds the belief that Allah has a child, he becomes an apostate.
The scholars of the four Imams differentiate between the two types of disbelief; this matter is absolutely clear.
Objection:
If that person presents this verse: [اَلَاۤ اِنَّ اَوۡلِیَآءَ اللّٰہِ لَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَیۡہِمۡ وَ لَا ہُمۡ یَحۡزَنُوۡنَ] "Be sure that those who are the friends of Allah will have no fear, nor will they grieve."
Reference: Yunus:62
Answer:
So tell him that this noble verse and its meaning are absolutely correct, but the saints should not be worshipped. We are only saying that worshipping them alongside Allah and making them partners with Allah is not correct. Yes! It is obligatory upon you to love them, follow them, and acknowledge their miracles. Also remember that those who deny the miracles of the saints are only innovators and misguided people. Allah’s religion is the middle path between both extremes, guidance between two misguidances, and the path of truth between two falsehoods.
When you realize that this is what the polytheists of our time call belief, this is the shirk about which the Holy Quran was revealed. The Noble Messenger ﷺ waged jihad against the people for this. Now you should also know that the shirk of the people of the earlier era was lighter than the shirk of the people of our time for two reasons:
[1] Earlier, people used to call upon angels, saints, and idols only in times of comfort and luxury and considered them partners with Allah Almighty, but in times of hardship, they would call only upon Allah Almighty. As Allah Almighty has said:
[وَ اِذَا مَسَّکُمُ الضُّرُّ فِی الۡبَحۡرِ ضَلَّ مَنۡ تَدۡعُوۡنَ اِلَّاۤ اِیَّاہُ ۚ فَلَمَّا نَجّٰىکُمۡ اِلَی الۡبَرِّ اَعۡرَضۡتُمۡ ؕ وَ کَانَ الۡاِنۡسَانُ کَفُوۡرًا]And when you are in distress in the sea (i.e., fear of drowning), those whom you call upon besides Him vanish away, but when He delivers you to the land, you turn away, and man is ever ungrateful.
Reference: Al-Isra:67
[قُلۡ اَرَءَیۡتَکُمۡ اِنۡ اَتٰىکُمۡ عَذَابُ اللّٰہِ اَوۡ اَتَتۡکُمُ السَّاعَۃُ اَغَیۡرَ اللّٰہِ تَدۡعُوۡنَ ۚ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ صٰدِقِیۡنَ]،[بَلۡ اِیَّاہُ تَدۡعُوۡنَ فَیَکۡشِفُ مَا تَدۡعُوۡنَ اِلَیۡہِ اِنۡ شَآءَ وَ تَنۡسَوۡنَ مَا تُشۡرِکُوۡنَ]
[Say (O disbelievers!) "Consider if the punishment of Allah should come upon you or the Hour should come upon you, will you call upon anyone other than Allah, if you should be truthful?"] [(No) but in adversity, you call upon Him, for the very distress you call Him to remove, if He wills, He removes it, and those whom you associate with Him (at that time) vanish away.]
Reference: Al-An'am:41,40
Also He said:
[وَ اِذَا مَسَّ الۡاِنۡسَانَ ضُرٌّ دَعَا رَبَّہٗ مُنِیۡبًا اِلَیۡہِ ثُمَّ اِذَا خَوَّلَہٗ نِعۡمَۃً مِّنۡہُ نَسِیَ مَا کَانَ یَدۡعُوۡۤا اِلَیۡہِ مِنۡ قَبۡلُ وَ جَعَلَ لِلّٰہِ اَنۡدَادًا لِّیُضِلَّ عَنۡ سَبِیۡلِہٖ ؕ قُلۡ تَمَتَّعۡ بِکُفۡرِکَ قَلِیۡلًا ٭ۖ اِنَّکَ مِنۡ اَصۡحٰبِ النَّارِ]
And when adversity touches man, he calls upon his Lord, turning to Him sincerely. Then when He bestows on him a favor from Himself, he forgets what he used to call upon Him for before and sets up partners with Allah to mislead others from His way. Say, "Enjoy your disbelief for a little; indeed, you are of the companions of the Fire."
Reference: Az-Zumar:8
In another place, the Divine command is: [وَ اِذَا غَشِیَہُمۡ مَّوۡجٌ کَالظُّلَلِ دَعَوُا اللّٰہَ مُخۡلِصِیۡنَ لَہُ الدِّیۡنَ]
And when the waves (of the sea) cover them like canopies, they call upon Allah, sincere to Him in religion.
Reference: Luqman:32
Whoever understands this issue, which Allah Almighty has clarified in His Book, will know that the polytheists against whom the Messenger of Allah ﷺ fought used to call upon besides Allah in times of comfort and ease, but in times of distress, they would call upon only Allah.
And they would forget their lords. So such a person will recognize the difference between the polytheists of the past and present times, but where are those whose hearts can truly understand this issue? فاللہ المستعان
[2] Earlier, people used to call upon those who were close to Allah, such as the Prophets, saints, angels, etc., or they would call upon stones and trees that are obedient to Allah, not disobedient. But the people of our time call upon those who are the most sinful and wicked alongside Allah. The irony is that they themselves narrate their own sins and wickedness, theft, adultery, and neglect of prayer to others.
When it is well established that the people with whom the Messenger of Allah ﷺ fought were less involved in polytheism and more intelligent than the current polytheists, then you should know that they have another doubt which they raise against the arguments we have presented, and this is their greatest doubt. Listen carefully to its answer.
Objection:
They say that those to whom the Holy Quran was revealed did not acknowledge ،،لا الہ الا اللہ،،. They denied the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, disbelieved in the Day of Judgment, rejected the Holy Quran, and called it magic. But we worship one Allah, believe in one Allah, and consider Muhammad ﷺ as the Messenger of Allah. We confirm the Holy Quran, believe in the Day of Judgment, and observe prayer and fasting, so how do you consider us like them?
Answer:
It is stated that scholars do not differ on the point that if a person denies one command of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and affirms another, then he is a disbeliever and has not entered Islam at all.
Similarly, if a person believes in some parts of the Holy Quran and denies other parts, for example, if someone affirms Tawheed (Oneness of God) but denies the obligation of Salah (prayer), or affirms Tawheed and Salah but denies the obligation of Zakat, or accepts all these rulings but denies fasting, or accepts all these matters but denies Hajj, or accepts all these matters but denies the Day of Judgment, then such a person is undoubtedly a disbeliever. It is permissible to shed his blood and seize his wealth.
As Allah says:
[اِنَّ الَّذِیۡنَ یَکۡفُرُوۡنَ بِاللّٰہِ وَ رُسُلِہٖ وَ یُرِیۡدُوۡنَ اَنۡ یُّفَرِّقُوۡا بَیۡنَ اللّٰہِ وَ رُسُلِہٖ وَ یَقُوۡلُوۡنَ نُؤۡمِنُ بِبَعۡضٍ وَّ نَکۡفُرُ بِبَعۡضٍ ۙ وَّ یُرِیۡدُوۡنَ اَنۡ یَّتَّخِذُوۡا بَیۡنَ ذٰلِکَ سَبِیۡلًا]،[ اُولٰٓئِکَ ہُمُ الۡکٰفِرُوۡنَ حَقًّا]
[Those who disbelieve in Allah and His messengers and wish to differentiate between Allah and His messengers, saying, "We believe in some but reject others," and seek a way in between belief and disbelief], [indeed, they are disbelievers].
Reference: An-Nisa:151,150
See: When some people did not immediately prepare for Hajj during the blessed time of the Prophet ﷺ, Allah Almighty revealed this verse about them:
[وَ لِلّٰہِ عَلَی النَّاسِ حِجُّ الۡبَیۡتِ مَنِ اسۡتَطَاعَ اِلَیۡہِ سَبِیۡلًا ؕ وَ مَنۡ کَفَرَ فَاِنَّ اللّٰہَ غَنِیٌّ عَنِ الۡعٰلَمِیۡنَ]
And the right of Allah upon the people is that whoever has the ability to go to this House (Kaaba) should perform Hajj, and whoever disobeys this command, then indeed Allah is free of need from the worlds.
Reference: Aal Imran:97
When Allah Almighty clarified in His clear Book that whoever believes in some parts and denies other parts is a definite disbeliever, like the Murji'ah,
then this doubt was also removed. And this was the very doubt that some of the "Ahl al-Ahsa" had written in their letter and sent to us.
It can also be answered that when you admit that a person who confirms all matters of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ but denies only prayer is a disbeliever, and shedding his blood and taking his wealth is absolutely permissible, similarly, if a person affirms everything but does not believe in the Day of Judgment or denies the obligation of fasting in Ramadan while confirming all other rulings, then no one denies or disputes that such a person is a disbeliever. The Holy Quran has also stated the same, as we have explained earlier.
It is clear that among all the commandments brought by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, the greatest duty is monotheism, which is the most important and greatest obligation among prayer, zakat, fasting, and Hajj. Whoever denies any one of these commandments will be declared a disbeliever. Even if he follows the other teachings of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, if he denies monotheism, which is the religion of all the messengers, how can he not be a disbeliever? سبحان اللہ! This is a strange kind of ignorance.
This answer can also be given that look at those companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, may Allah be pleased with them all, who fought against the tribe of Banu Hanifa, even though Banu Hanifa had accepted Islam by the hand of the Prophet ﷺ and testified that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah. They used to call to prayer and perform Salah. If someone says about them that these people accepted the prophethood of Musaylimah, and that is why the companions fought against them, then we say that this is exactly our point: when a person elevates someone to the status of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, he will be declared a disbeliever. His blood will be permissible to shed, his wealth permissible to seize, and the testimony of faith, prayer, and fasting will not benefit him. Then what will be the condition of a person who elevates Shamsan, Yusuf, or any companion or prophet to the status of the Creator of the universe? سبحان اللہ ما اعظم شانہ!
[کَذٰلِکَ یَطۡبَعُ اللّٰہُ عَلٰی قُلُوۡبِ الَّذِیۡنَ لَا یَعۡلَمُوۡنَ] [الروم:59]
This answer can also be given that the people whom Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه had burned with fire were his companions and claimants of Islam. They had learned knowledge from the noble companions رضي الله عنهم. But their belief about Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه was the same as what people nowadays hold about Yusuf and Shamsan, etc. So see how the companions agreed on his killing and his disbelief? Do you think that the noble companions رضي الله عنهم used to call Muslims disbelievers? And do you think that such beliefs about Taj and others are not harmful? But holding the same belief about Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه makes a person a disbeliever. This answer can also be given that Banu Ubaid al-Qaddah, who took control of Egypt and the Maghreb during the Abbasid rule, all of them affirmed the testimony of faith ،،لا الہ الا اللہ،،, were claimants of Islam, and performed Friday and congregational prayers. But when they opposed the Shariah in some matters which were of very little importance compared to the issue under discussion, still the scholars agreed on their disbelief and fighting against them and declared their cities as Dar al-Harb. Consequently, the Muslims fought them until all the cities under their control were liberated. This answer can also be given that earlier people were declared disbelievers only because they combined polytheism, denial of the Messenger and the Holy Quran, and rejection of the Resurrection. Also, what would be the meaning of the chapters that the scholars of the four schools of thought have compiled in their respective books that [باب حکم المرتد] an apostate is the person who, after embracing Islam, adopts disbelief. Then many types of apostasy have been written, and a person becomes an apostate by each type. His blood becomes lawful to be shed and his wealth to be taken. Even the scholars have mentioned minor matters by which a person becomes an apostate, such as if a person utters any word with his tongue even if he does not believe it in his heart, or says any word in jest. This answer can also be given that about those people Allah Almighty said:
[یَحۡلِفُوۡنَ بِاللّٰہِ مَا قَالُوۡا ؕ وَ لَقَدۡ قَالُوۡا کَلِمَۃَ الۡکُفۡرِ وَ کَفَرُوۡا بَعۡدَ اِسۡلَامِہِمۡ]
They swear by Allah that they said nothing, whereas they uttered the word of disbelief, and they became disbelievers after embracing Islam.
Reference: At-Tawbah:74
Have you not heard that Allah declared them disbelievers because of a single word, even though they were in the blessed time of the Messenger ﷺ, fought alongside him in jihad, prayed with him, gave zakat, performed Hajj, and believed in Tawhid? These are the very people about whom Allah said:
[ قُلۡ اَ بِاللّٰہِ وَ اٰیٰتِہٖ وَ رَسُوۡلِہٖ کُنۡتُمۡ تَسۡتَہۡزِءُوۡنَ]،[ لَا تَعۡتَذِرُوۡا قَدۡ کَفَرۡتُمۡ بَعۡدَ اِیۡمَانِکُمۡ]
[Say, "Did you laugh at Allah and His verses and His Messenger?"], [Do not make excuses! You have become disbelievers after believing].
Reference: At-Tawbah:66,65
These are the very people about whom Allah explicitly stated that they became disbelievers after faith. Even though they participated with the Messenger ﷺ in the Battle of Tabuk. They said something which they themselves claim was said in jest.
Now consider their doubt that you call those disbelievers who acknowledge ،،لا الہ الا اللہ،،, perform prayers, and observe fasting. Also consider the response to this, which is the most valuable and beneficial among these pages.
For further clarification of our stated arguments, the incident of the Children of Israel is also indicative. Allah Almighty has mentioned it in the Holy Quran. It is that some among the Children of Israel, despite being Muslim scholars and pious, said to Prophet Moses, peace be upon him:
[اجۡعَلۡ لَّنَاۤ اِلٰـہًا کَمَا لَہُمۡ اٰلِـہَۃٌ] "They have gods besides Him; so make for us a god like they have."
Reference: Al-A'raf:138
Some of the Companions of the Prophet, may Allah be pleased with them, said to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: [اجعل لنا ذات أنواط] "Make for us a deity like An-Nut."
Hearing this, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ swore and said: This statement is exactly like what the Children of Israel said to Prophet Moses, peace be upon him:
[اجۡعَلۡ لَّنَاۤ اِلٰـہًا کَمَا لَہُمۡ اٰلِـہَۃٌ]
Reference: Al-A'raf:138
"They have gods besides Him; so make for us a god like they have."
Reference: Tirmidhi, Book of Tribulations, Chapter on abandoning the customs of those before you:2180
The polytheists derive the argument from these events that those Israelites who said: [اجۡعَلۡ لَّنَاۤ اِلٰـہًا کَمَا لَہُمۡ اٰلِـہَۃٌ] [الأعراف:138]
And the Companions who demanded the concept of 'Dhat Anwat'—were they not disbelievers?
So we say that neither did the Israelites designate any entity other than Allah as ،،الہ،،, nor did those Companions who demanded the concept of 'Dhat Anwat' assign such a status to anyone.
There is no disagreement among scholars that if the Israelites had designated any entity other than Allah as ،،الہ،،, they would definitely have been declared disbelievers. Similarly, if the Companions, after the prohibition of the Prophet ﷺ, had designated a tree as 'Dhat Anwat', they too would have become disbelievers. Our point is the same; these two events yield several benefits:
[1] Sometimes even a Muslim, indeed a learned person, falls into some form of polytheism without realizing it.
[2] The pursuit of knowledge and protection should always be kept in view.
[3] For an ignorant person to claim that they have understood Tawheed is the greatest ignorance, and this is the greatest deception of Satan.
[4]If a Muslim Mujtahid, out of ignorance, utters a blasphemous word and immediately repents at that moment, he does not become a disbeliever, as the Children of Israel and the Companions did.
[5]Although such a person is not declared a disbeliever, he should certainly be warned with the strongest words, as the Messenger of Allah ﷺ did.
Objection:
Another suspicion of the polytheists is that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ expressed displeasure at Sayyiduna Usama رضي الله عنه because he killed a man who had said
،،لا الہ الا اللہ،،, so the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: [أقتلته بعد ما قال: لا إله إلا الله؟] Did you kill him even after he said ،،لا الہ الا اللہ،،?
Reference: Muslim, Kitab al-Iman, Bab Tahrim Qatl al-Kafir Ba'd Qawlihi ... etc.: 159/96
Similarly, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ also said: [أمرت أن أقاتل الناس حتى يقولوا: لا إله إلا الله]
I have been commanded to fight the people until they say ،،لا الہ الا اللہ،،.
Reference: Bukhari, Kitab al-I'tisam bil-Kitab wa al-Sunnah, Bab al-Iqtida' bi Sunnat Rasul Allah ﷺ 7285, 7284], [Muslim, Kitab al-Iman, Bab al-Amr bi Qital al-Nas Hatta Yaqulu La ilaha illa Allah Muhammad Rasul Allah ... etc.: 20
Besides, there are other hadiths which mean that whoever says ،،لا الہ الا اللہ،، should not be called anything. The purpose of these ignorant people regarding the mentioned hadiths is that whoever says
،،لا الہ الا اللہ،، should neither be called a disbeliever nor be killed, no matter what deeds he commits.
Answer:
These ignorant polytheists should be answered that it is known to all that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ fought the Jews, imprisoned them even though they said ،،لا الہ الا اللہ،،, and also the companions of the Prophet ﷺ fought Banu Hanifa even though they testified to the kalima ،،لا الہ الا اللہ،،, prayed, and claimed Islam. And those people themselves considered themselves Muslims. They were the ones whom Sayyidina Ali رضي الله عنه burned in fire. The point to ponder is that these ignorant people also admit that whoever denies the Day of Judgment is a disbeliever and should be killed even if he says ،،لا الہ الا اللہ،،, and whoever denies any one of the pillars of Islam is also a disbeliever and should be killed even if he recites the kalima.
But how is it that if a person denies any of the branches (furu') of religion, the kalima does not benefit him, yet if he denies Tawheed, which is the essence of the religion of all the Prophets, this kalima benefits him fully? These enemies of Allah have not understood the meaning and implication of the ahadith.
The hadith of Sayyiduna Usama رضي الله عنه, in which he killed a person who claimed Islam, happened because Sayyiduna Usama رضي الله عنه thought that he had declared himself Muslim out of fear for his life and wealth. The issue is that when a person expresses Islam, it is obligatory to withhold one's hand from him until he commits something against Islam. That is why Allah Almighty says: [یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اِذَا ضَرَبۡتُمۡ فِیۡ سَبِیۡلِ اللّٰہِ فَتَبَیَّنُوۡا]
O believers! When you go forth in the cause of Allah, be discerning.
Reference: An-Nisa:94
This noble verse indicates that when a person recites the declaration of faith (Kalima Tawheed), one should withhold their hand and investigate. If, after investigation, something emerges from that person which is against Islam, then they should be killed, because Allah has said, "Investigate." If it were forbidden to kill every person who recites the Kalima, then there would be no meaning in investigating.
Similarly, the meaning of other hadiths is the same as what we have explained: that when a person expresses Islam and Tawheed, it is obligatory to withhold one's hand from them unless they commit an act against Shariah. The proof of this is the statement of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in which he said to Sayyiduna Usama: [أقتلته بعد ما قال لا إله إلا الله] Did you kill him even after he said ،،لا الہ الا اللہ،،?
Reference: Muslim, Kitab al-Iman, Bab Tahrim Qatl al-Kafir ... etc: 96
Also: On one occasion, the Prophet ﷺ said: [أمرت أن أقاتل الناس حتى يقولوا لا إله إلا الله]
I have been commanded to fight the people until they say ،،لا الہ الا اللہ،،.
Reference: Bukhari, Book of Holding Fast to the Book and Sunnah, Chapter on Following the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: 7285, 7284], [Muslim, Book of Faith, Chapter on the Command to Fight People Until They Say There is No God but Allah... etc.: 20
Regarding the Kharijites, it is stated:
[فأينما لقيتموهم فاقتلوهم]وفی روایۃ:[ لئن أدركتهم لأقتلنهم قتل عاد]
[Kill them wherever you find them]. And in one narration: [If I catch them, I will kill them like the people of 'Aad].
Reference: Bukhari, Book of the Virtues of the Qur'an: Chapter on the Sin of Those Who Dislike Reciting the Qur'an... etc.: 5057, and Book of Monotheism, Chapter on the Saying of Allah the Exalted... etc.: 7432
Although the Kharijites were more devoted in worship than all others and constantly recited Takbir and Tahleel. To the extent that some of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, considered themselves insignificant compared to them. And the interesting point is that these Kharijites had acquired knowledge from the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them. Nevertheless, ،،لا الہ الا اللہ،، their abundant worship and claimed Islam did not benefit them because they committed violations against the pure Shariah.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ fighting the Jews and the Companions fighting Banu Hanifah also serve as evidence for this.
The Prophet ﷺ intending to fight Banu al-Mustaliq also indicates this, when a man came and falsely reported that Banu al-Mustaliq had refused to pay Zakat, upon which this verse was revealed: [یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اِنۡ جَآءَکُمۡ فَاسِقٌۢ بِنَبَاٍ فَتَبَیَّنُوۡۤا اَنۡ تُصِیۡبُوۡا قَوۡمًۢا بِجَہَالَۃٍ فَتُصۡبِحُوۡا عَلٰی مَا فَعَلۡتُمۡ نٰدِمِیۡنَ]
O believers! If any evil-doer brings you any news, then verify it thoroughly (lest) you harm a people out of ignorance, and then you become regretful for what you did.
Reference: Al-Hujurat:6
All these verses and hadiths indicate what we have stated; they do not at all confirm the polytheists.
Objection:
One objection of the people of polytheism and innovation is that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stated:
On the Day of Resurrection, some people will successively take refuge with Prophet Adam (peace be upon him), Prophet Noah (peace be upon him), Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him), Prophet Moses (peace be upon him), and Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) for intercession, and each prophet will present some excuse. Finally, the matter will come to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. From this event, the polytheists argue that seeking intercession from others besides Allah is not polytheism.
Answer:
Pure is Allah who seals the hearts of His enemies. We do not deny the supplication to the creation which He is capable of. As Allah Almighty says in the incident of Sayyiduna Musa Alayhis Salam: [فَاسۡتَغَاثَہُ الَّذِیۡ مِنۡ شِیۡعَتِہٖ عَلَی الَّذِیۡ مِنۡ عَدُوِّہٖ]
The person from their people sought help against the other person who was among the enemies of Musa.
Reference: Al-Qasas:15
Or during war, a person seeks help from his companions who are capable of it. We deny the supplication that is made at the graves of saints as an act of worship. Or calling them for help in their absence, over which no one has power except Allah Almighty.
When this matter is established, it should now be understood that the intercession sought from the noble Prophets, peace be upon them, on the Day of Judgment is that they pray to Allah for the swift completion of the reckoning of people, so that the people of Paradise may be saved from the hardships of the gathering place. Such intercession is permissible in both this world and the Hereafter. That is, you may go to a righteous and living person who is sitting with you and listening to your conversation, and request him to pray for you. Just as the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, used to come to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ during his lifetime and request prayers. But after the passing of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, no Companion went to the honored grave to request prayers from him; rather, the pious predecessors forbade standing by the blessed grave and asking Allah for prayers. Let alone requesting prayers directly from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ himself.
Objection:
The polytheists have another doubt and objection, and that is the incident of Ibrahim (peace be upon him) when he was thrown into the fire. At that time, Jibra'il (Gabriel) came forward and said that if there was any need or requirement, it should be told. Ibrahim (peace be upon him) said: I have no need from you. The polytheists infer from this that if seeking help from Jibra'il (Gabriel) was shirk (polytheism), then he would not have offered himself to Ibrahim (peace be upon him).
Answer:
This objection is similar to the previous one. In this incident, Jibra'il (Gabriel) made the offer that he was capable of, to benefit Ibrahim (peace be upon him), because Allah says about Jibra'il (Gabriel): [شَدِیۡدُ الۡقُوٰی] He is of great strength.
Reference: An-Najm:5
So if Allah Almighty had permitted Jibra'il (Gabriel) to lift the fire of Ibrahim (Abraham) and the earth and mountains around it and throw them to the east or west, he would certainly have done so. And if Jibra'il had been commanded to take Ibrahim away to a place far from them, he could have done that as well. And if Jibra'il had been commanded to bring Ibrahim to the heavens, he would have done that too.
The example of this is that a wealthy person sees a needy person and offers to lend him money or give him something else to fulfill his needs, but the needy person refuses to take the loan, etc., and remains patient until Allah Almighty provides him sustenance from His own presence. Where is the favor of any person in this? And where is seeking help as an act of worship or associating partners (shirk)? If only these people would understand!
InshaAllah, we will conclude this discussion with a very important issue which you might have understood from the previous discussion as well. But since the issue is very important and many people make mistakes in it, we are explaining it separately.
We say that there is no disagreement that Tawheed (monotheism) must be related to three things: the heart, the tongue, and actions through the rest of the limbs. If there is a defect in any one of these three, then a person does not remain a Muslim. If a person knows Tawheed but does not act according to it, then he is stubborn and a disbeliever, like Pharaoh and Iblis, etc.
Many people are deceived in the matter of Tawheed and say that Tawheed is the truth and we understand it and testify that it is the truth. But we do not have the strength to act upon it. Moreover, the people of our area are such that we cannot live without their approval, and besides that, many other excuses are presented.
This poor person does not know that the overwhelming majority of the leaders of disbelief also recognized the truth, and it was only due to various excuses that they abandoned the truth, as the Divine command states:
[اِشۡتَرَوۡا بِاٰیٰتِ اللّٰہِ ثَمَنًا قَلِیۡلًا] They take a little gain in exchange for Allah's verses.
Reference: At-Tawbah:9
In one place it is stated: [یَعۡرِفُوۡنَہٗ کَمَا یَعۡرِفُوۡنَ اَبۡنَآءَہُمۡ]
They recognize him (the Prophet of the End of Times ﷺ) just as they recognize their own sons.
Reference: Al-Baqarah:146
A person who outwardly acts upon monotheism but does not understand its meaning or does not believe in it sincerely is a hypocrite who is worse than a pure disbeliever, as Allah Almighty has said: [اِنَّ الۡمُنٰفِقِیۡنَ فِی الدَّرۡکِ الۡاَسۡفَلِ مِنَ النَّارِ] There is no doubt that the hypocrites will be in the lowest level of Hell.
Reference: An-Nisa:145
This issue is very extensive; when you reflect on people's words, you will understand it well, and you will see many individuals who know the truth but do not act upon it. They become lazy due to the fear of worldly defects, status, and lack of respect and consideration. Also, you will find some individuals who apparently act, but not from the heart. If you ask them about heartfelt belief, you will find that they have no knowledge. Therefore, it is very important for you to ponder over two verses of the Holy Quran:
[1] The first is the one we have already mentioned:
[لَا تَعۡتَذِرُوۡا قَدۡ کَفَرۡتُمۡ بَعۡدَ اِیۡمَانِکُمۡ] Do not make excuses; after believing, you have become disbelievers.
Reference: At-Tawbah :66
When it was established that some of the companions who fought the Romans alongside the Messenger of Allah ﷺ became disbelievers merely because of one word, which they had said only in jest and humor, then it became clear that a person who utters a kufr statement or acts upon it out of flattery, fear of losing status, or fear of loss of wealth is greater in sin than the person who utters a kufr statement as a joke.
[2] The second verse is:
[مَنۡ کَفَرَ بِاللّٰہِ مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِ اِیۡمَانِہٖۤ اِلَّا مَنۡ اُکۡرِہَ وَ قَلۡبُہٗ مُطۡمَئِنٌّۢ بِالۡاِیۡمَانِ]
Whoever disbelieves after having believed—except for one who is forced while his heart is secure in faith.
Reference: An-Nahl:106
In this noble verse, Allah Almighty has not accepted the excuse of anyone except the person who was compelled. Even then, the condition of satisfaction of faith in the heart has been imposed. Apart from this, all are disbelievers, whether they utter the word of disbelief out of fear, as a form of concession, out of love for their homeland, family, tribe, wealth, and possessions, or as a joke or for any other reason. Allah Almighty has only exempted the compelled person. The above noble verse indicates this in two ways.
[مَنۡ اُکۡرِہَ]
Reference: An-Nahl:106
"Who is compelled (to disbelieve)." In this phrase, only the compelled person is exempted. It is well known that a person's compulsion relates only to the tongue or actions; as for the state of the heart, no one can compel anyone in that.[ذٰلِکَ بِاَنَّہُمُ اسۡتَحَبُّوا الۡحَیٰوۃَ الدُّنۡیَا عَلَی الۡاٰخِرَۃِ] This is because they preferred the life of this world over the Hereafter.
Reference: An-Nahl:107
In this verse, Allah Almighty has clarified that this disbelief and punishment were not due to belief, ignorance, enmity or hatred towards religion, or love of disbelief, but the greatest reason was being trapped in the pleasures of the world, due to which a person preferred the world over religion.
[والله سبحانه وتعالى أعلم والحمد لله رب العالمين وصلى الله على محمد و آله وصحبه أجمعين]
