Is a person who believes in the oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him) considered a Muslim, even if they have not uttered the Two Testimonies (Shahadatayn) or performed the pillars of Islam, such as prayer, and what is the ruling on initiating greetings of peace with non-Muslims in such a case?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The aforementioned teacher is not a Muslim until he pronounces the two testimonies of faith (Shahadatayn) and disavows his false religion, because his mere praise of Islam does not make him a Muslim.
Based on this, this man is treated as a disbeliever (kafir). Therefore, it is not permissible to initiate greetings of peace (salam) with him, according to the majority of scholars, although some scholars have permitted it for a greater benefit or with a greeting other than the Islamic salutation.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/134806
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 134806
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- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy