Is a person considered an infidel (kafir) in the following cases: 1. If he slanders Allah before puberty, or if there is a slight possibility of slandering Allah or the religion after puberty? 2. If he adds a Shiite TV channel whose content might criticize Salafism or the Companions, and he fears that some family members might be influenced by it? And does he remain an infidel until he removes it? 3. If he refuses to pray in congregation with his father, claiming the time for prayer has ended, then later prays in congregation with his father after the same amount of time or more has passed? And does he remain an infidel until he tells his father the truth? 4. If he writes in his university notebook كلاماً (words/speech) that contradicts the religion, such as explaining certain philosophical theories or كلاماً that criticizes Salafism? And does he remain an infidel until he retrieves the notebook from his professor? 5. If he laughs at a joke that includes offensive كلاماً about shaykhs or contains obscene كلاماً? 6. If he utters words (such as "Pokémon" or "Pikachu") that he thought were kufr, but then it became clear to him that this was incorrect? And does kufr occur by doing something that one thinks is kufr without expecting it to lead to it? 7. Is it obligatory for him to continue asking whether certain actions are kufr, knowing that they are forbidden, given that he suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder (waswas)? 8. If he says kufri كلاماً (such as ridiculing religion) without feeling that it is kufr? And does he remain an infidel until he tells those who heard him that what he said was wrong? And is there a sin that leads to kufr and requires something other than uttering the two testifications of faith (Shahadatayn) for conversion to Islam? 9. Is a person's entry into Islam valid by uttering the two testifications of faith (Shahadatayn) while he insists on certain sins, such as delaying prayer, or when his body or clothes are dirty, or he is carrying something he considers impure at the time of uttering the Shahadatayn?
What the questioner mentioned about sin does not go beyond being a transgression; it does not amount to disbelief (kufr), because there is a difference between the two. Not everyone who commits a forbidden act disbelieves. The questioner must address the whispers (waswasah) and not yield to them, as they are a dangerous illness that can lead to doubt and confusion. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Perished are those who are extreme."
All causes of disbelief and apostasy are rectified by repentance from them and uttering the Two Testimonies of Faith. Uttering the Two Testimonies of Faith is sufficient for one to be judged as a Muslim. However, in some cases, it may be necessary to clarify the truth to people, especially for those who have concealed something from the Sharia. It is valid for a person to embrace Islam and utter the Two Testimonies of Faith even while persisting in some sins, because sin does not necessitate disbelief. Similarly, it is valid to embrace Islam and utter the Two Testimonies of Faith even if one's body or clothes are unclean.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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