What is meant by the word "my Ummah" in the noble Hadith: "They will deem lawful fornication, silk, wine, and musical instruments"? And does this imply that whoever deems lawful wine and fornication is not a disbeliever if the Islamic Ummah is what is meant?
The reconciliation between the Prophet's (PBUH) saying: "from my Ummah" and "they make lawful" becomes clear when considering that the word "Ummah" has two meanings: the Ummah of Response (Muslims), and the Ummah of الدعوة (all humans and jinn).
As for "making lawful" (al-istihlal), it has three meanings: 1. Making lawful with the meaning of defying the Sharia and believing that what Allah has forbidden is permissible. This is disbelief (kufr), and their description as "from my Ummah" would be based on their state before disbelief or their claim of belonging to Islam. 2. Making lawful through corrupt interpretations, while outwardly showing no defiance of the Sharia. They are attributed to the Ummah based on their outward appearance. 3. Making lawful by persistence in committing forbidden acts, while still believing in their prohibition. Due to their frequent commission of these acts, they become like those who believe them to be permissible.
Therefore, if the "making lawful" is disbelief, then what is meant by "Ummah" is the Ummah of الدعوة, or the Ummah of Response (before their apostasy). If it is not disbelief, then what is meant is the Ummah of Response.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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