Did some of the Salaf declare Al-Hajjaj to be a disbeliever, and what is the meaning of Al-Sha’bi’s saying: "Al-Hajjaj is a believer in Al-Jibt and Al-Taghut, a disbeliever in Allah the Almighty"?

The early Muslims (Salaf) differed in their opinions regarding declaring Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf an unbeliever, and among them was Al-Sha'bi. The reason for this accusation of disbelief might be narratives attributed to him, which contained expressions outwardly appearing as disbelief, such as his preferring the position of Caliphate over prophethood (Risalah), or his disbelief in Al-Lat and Al-Uzza, or his disbelief in Wednesday and the gray mule.

However, these narratives are subject to being unproven, or open to interpretation, or perhaps he repented from them. Moreover, the Shi'a disliked him and might have exaggerated about him. It has been reported that he was religious, abstained from intoxicants, recited the Quran frequently, and avoided prohibitions, despite his swiftness in shedding blood. The fundamental principle is that whoever's Islam has been established with certainty does not exit from it except with similar certainty. Therefore, one must refrain from declaring him an unbeliever.