What is the ruling on one who grumbled about a ruling of Sharia concerning a specific act (such as wearing makeup) with words, then repented and intended not to repeat such words about any other Sharia ruling, while remaining persistent in the sin he spoke about? And does his persistence in this sin constitute apostasy that expels him from the fold of Islam?

A believer must submit absolutely to the rulings of religion and accept them, because they are from Allah, the All-Wise, the All-Aware. The proof for this is Allah Almighty's saying: "But no, by your Lord, they can have no faith, until they make you judge in all disputes between them, and find in their souls no resistance against your decisions, but accept them with fullest conviction." And His saying: "It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should have any option in their decision."

Scholars have considered disliking anything brought by the Messenger (peace be upon him) as one of the nullifiers of Islam, due to Allah Almighty's saying: "That is because they disliked what Allah revealed, so He rendered their deeds worthless."

As for someone who commits a sin knowing its prohibition, following their desires without objecting to the Sacred Law, they are disobedient and must repent, but they do not become a disbeliever by that. Sheikh Al-Uthaymeen differentiated between one who follows scholars or rulers in permitting the forbidden while disliking Allah's judgment – such a person is a disbeliever – and one who follows them while being content with Allah's judgment but has a desire within themselves – such a person does not become a disbeliever but is rather a transgressor.