*Mockery of the Religion is Disbelief*

Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan
Source: Things that Nullify One's Islam (p.41-46)

[ In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful... ]


From kind of apostasy is mockery of what Allah sent down or of anything that the Messenger came with, even things from the Sunnahs (of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) or recommended things like siwaak, trimming the moustache, removing armpit hair, or trimming the nails. *If a person makes mockery of any of these things he becomes a disbeliever* The evidence for this is found in the Statement of Allah the Most High:

*"And if you were to ask them, they would say: 'Surely we were only jesting and playing.' Say: 'Was it Allah, His Verses, or His Messenger you were mocking? Make no mistake, verily you have disbelieved after your belief.'*

Soorah at-Tawbah (9):65-66

So then the one who mocks anything that the Messenger came with, be it obligatory or recommended, he is an apostate from the Religion of Islam. *So then what do you think about the one who says, "Growing the beard, trimming the moustache, removing armpit hair, washing the knuckles, these are insignificant things!" This is exactly what is meant by mockery of the Religion of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic.* When they say this thing, and if they know (it is from the Religion), then they have *apostated*, since this is belittling what the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) came with. *It is obligatory to have great reverence for the Sunnah of the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) and to respect it*

Even if a person falls into some kind of opposition (to the Sunnah) due to his desires, then surely *he still must respect the way of the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), respect his Sunnahs, and respect the narrations. He must not say, "These are insignificant things."*

The proof is the Statement of Allah the Most High:
*"Say: 'Was it Allah, His Verses, or His Messenger you were mocking? Make no mistake, verily you have disbelieved after your belief."*

The event that led to the revelation of this Verse was what happened with a group of people who were with the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) during the Battle of Tabook. They were Muslims. During a gathering they began to say, "We have not seen the likes these reciters of ours, the most untruthful tongues, the greediest stomachs, the most cowardly in the face of the enemy…" They were referring to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) and his Companions.

Amongst them was a young man from the Companions who became enraged at this speech and went to convey what this group was saying to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam). He found that the revelation had preceded him (in informing the Messenger).

So then the group came apologizing once they heard that the Messenger had become aware of what happened in their gathering. One of them was hanging on to the front harness of the Prophet's she-camel while he (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) (-: was riding it, saying, *"O Messenger of Allah! We were just talking loosely to help pass the time during the journey! We did not intend mockery, rather we only intended to joke."* The Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) would not even look at him, he only recited upon him this Verse:

*"And if you were to ask them, they would say: Surely we were only jesting and playing.' Say: 'Was it Allah, His Verses, or His Messenger you were mocking? Make no mistake,verily you have disbelieved after your belief"*

Notice His Statement, *"Verily you have disbelieved after your belief."* This proves that before they had uttered words (of mockery) they were Muslims, and that when they uttered them they apostated from Islam, even though they were saying that it was a joke. *This is because the affairs of the Religion are not to be played with, so Allah had declared*

In another place Shaykh Saalih was asked about the least amount of mockery that would cause a person to be considered an apostate. He replied, *"There is no least amount. A small amount is too much, and the refuge is with Allah. Anything that is considered mockery or ridicule is disbelief. Even as they (the scholars) say: A gesture with one's lip, hand, or eye can be considered mockery, even if he has not spoken."*


*TEST YOUR UNDERSTANDING*

If someone mocks something from the Sunnah of the Messenger, just to make his friends laugh, has he disbelieved? What is the proof for your answer?

How must a Muslim speak about the Sunnah of the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) and what kind of regard must he have for his Religion?

Beautiful! Muslims should have gheerah for the deen and gheerah for the sunnah of Muhammad(sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam), people should also control what they say, what you say might put you in trouble, your speech inside you is your prisoner, but once its out, you become it's prisoner – may Allaah safeguard us – Ameen.

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