Is a person's statement, "And what about the Christians, do you think their religion is true and their prophet is a prophet?"—while he does not intend the apparent meaning of his words, but rather means that Christ is not the final prophet who must be followed now—considered apostasy that expels one from the faith, necessitating ghusl and the declaration of faith, or is repentance sufficient for him?

Belief in the Prophets, honoring them, and purifying them from insults and mockery is a pillar of faith. Scholars have unanimously agreed that whoever insults a prophet, or disparages him, or attributes any deficiency to him, or diminishes his status, is a disbeliever. And whoever commits disbelief or speaks it, disbelieves, even if he did not intend it. Therefore, if what the person uttered included denying the prophethood of Jesus, peace be upon him, and he intended this apparent meaning, then he has disbelieved and must perform sincere repentance and ghusl, according to those who deem it obligatory. If he did not intend the apparent meaning of that, then he does not disbelieve, but he has behaved impolitely and uttered an ambiguous phrase that must be avoided, along with sincere repentance, frequent seeking of forgiveness, and righteous deeds.