What is the ruling on one who believes a claimant to prophethood or to knowledge of the unseen, due to being a recent convert to Islam or living in a remote desert and not having received the rulings of Islam?

Whoever has firm faith and utters the two declarations of faith (Shahadatayn), then commits an act of disbelief out of ignorance, is excused for his ignorance, unless the disbelief pertains to matters known by necessity in Islam and are not hidden from Muslims. In such a case, he is not excused, unless he is a recent convert to Islam or grew up in a remote desert.

So, whoever denies the obligation of prayer while growing up among Muslims in cities and villages is not excused, and is judged to be a disbeliever, because he denied what is known by necessity. However, whoever denies the obligation of prayer while being a recent convert to Islam or growing up in a desert, is to be informed and taught, and is not judged to be a disbeliever until proof is established against him.

Similarly, whoever says that his Lord is a physical body, if he is ignorant or misinterpreting, he is excused and is to be taught. If proof is established against him and he remains obstinate, then he is a disbeliever. As for whoever says: "Indeed, Allah is so-and-so," or that He indwells in a body of His creation, or that there is a prophet after Muhammad, peace be upon him, other than Jesus, he is a disbeliever by consensus, due to the establishment of proof against everyone, unless proof has not reached him, in which case he does not disbelieve until proof is established against him.