What is the ruling on someone who uttered a word of disbelief – in mockery of the Qur’an – out of ignorance, and only learned its meaning four years later, then repented and regretted it, given his ignorance of the nullifiers of Islam and the fact that this occurred during the period of the marriage contract without him remembering whether it was before or after consummation? And is everyone who utters a word of disbelief ignorantly considered an apostate? And is his repentance accepted, and what is the sign of its acceptance? And does one become a Muslim by praying without the intention of entering Islam?

The questioner does not need an answer as much as she needs someone to alert her to her error in definitively judging herself to be a disbeliever or an apostate. She did not mention the word she uttered, so we cannot know if it is indeed a word of disbelief or not. If that is the case, then the principle is that what was, remains as it was. If the matter concerns the rights of others, then it should be referred to a Sharia judge.

Allah accepts the repentance of anyone who is sincere in it, no matter what the sin. One should not despair of Allah's mercy; rather, Allah transforms the evil deeds of the repentant into good deeds. We fear that the questioner is afflicted with waswasah (whispering doubts). If that is the case, then ignore these whispers, occupy yourself with what benefits you, strive to ponder the Book of Allah the Almighty, and be keen on seeking beneficial knowledge and increasing in righteous deeds.