What is the ruling on one who committed an act, being in doubt as to whether it was an act of disbelief (kufr) or a sin, and did not consult a scholar, and it later became clear that the act was indeed disbelief? Is he to be treated as a disbeliever outwardly and inwardly, or outwardly only? And is his ignorance excused?

A Muslim must distance themselves from all sins, major and minor, and not underestimate them, because minor sins can destroy their perpetrator if they accumulate. The wise person does not look at the smallness of the sin, but at the greatness of the One they disobeyed.

Scholars have differed in their rulings regarding someone who commits an act of disbelief out of ignorance. Some believe that ignorance is not an excuse if the act of disbelief is well-known and clear, such as prostrating to an idol. Others believe that such a person does not commit disbelief until after the establishment of proof and the removal of ambiguity, especially if the matter is subtle.

Ahl al-Sunnah (definition) wal-Jama'ah do not declare anyone from the people of the Qibla (definition) to be a disbeliever merely because of sins, as long as the perpetrator does not deem them permissible. Ruling a specific person to be a disbeliever is not a light matter; rather, it must be done after the absence of impediments and the establishment of proof.

It is obligatory for a responsible individual not to undertake any action before clarifying its شرعي (Shar'i) ruling. If a Muslim is afflicted with obsessive thoughts (waswas (definition)) in these matters, they must turn away from them and seek refuge in Allah through supplication.