What is the ruling on one who says "Religion is the opium of the people," intending thereby those who exploit religion to pass off the unlawful and deception—is he considered a disbeliever?
The phrase "Religion is the opium of the people" is an atheistic statement of disbelief (kufr), and it is among the greatest major sins and nullifiers of Islam. Whoever insults Islam or demeans it has apostatized. However, if it is used with a mistaken interpretation, its utterer is not to be excommunicated (kafir) as a specific individual, due to the presence of an interpretation that prevents the excommunication of a specific person. The aspect of error in this interpretation is that deception in the name of religion is not religion itself. Criticism should, therefore, be directed at individuals, not at religion, which is infallible from error and deviation.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Original fatwa ID
- 140411
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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