Clarifying the Issue of Excusing Ignorance in Major Shirk

Question: Contradictory opinions on the "Excuse of Ignorance" in kufr Shaykh Şälih al-Fawzän said: So the one who save "I do not declare takfir on these, 1 do not declare takfir on those who worship al-Hasan and al-Husayn and al-Badawi; I do not declare them kafir because they say:لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّٰهُ, they are our brothers, but they made a mistake" we say to him: You are a mushrik like them, because you did not disbelieve in what is worshipped dbesides Allaah. What he is trying to say. And Sheikh Uthymeen Shaykh al-Uthaymeen Rahimullah who very clearly affirms the excuse of ignorance. What is the correct opinion, I am confused. What is the correct opinion. I am terrified becz of Sheikh Fawzan saying. What he actually trying to say? Personally I take sheikh Uthymeen view . Am I correct or wrong , I am just a layman

Summary:

There is no contradiction between the statements of Shaykh Ṣāliḥ al Fawzān and Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn, may Allah have mercy on them both. Each one is speaking about a different situation. The statement of Shaykh al Fawzān is directed at the one who believes that worshipping other than Allah is not disbelief at all. This is major disbelief, because it denies what all the messengers unanimously agreed upon. As for the statement of Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn, it concerns the ruling on a specific individual who fell into shirk out of ignorance. Such a person may be excused due to ignorance until the proof is established against him. The correct position according to Ahl al Sunnah is as follows: Whoever says that worshipping other than Allah is not disbelief is himself a disbeliever. Whoever falls into shirk out of ignorance is not declared a disbeliever until the proof is established. Your choice of the position of Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn, which is the position of the majority of Ahl al Sunnah, is correct. There is no sin upon you, and it does not fall under dilution or irjāʾ. Rather, it is the position held by the verified scholars.

Answer:

In the name of Allah, all praise is due to Allah, and may Peace and Blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)

First, the meaning of Shaykh Ṣāliḥ al Fawzān’s statement

Shaykh al Fawzān, may Allah preserve him, was not speaking about excusing ignorance with regard to a specific individual. Rather, he was addressing the ruling on one who does not consider the polytheists to be disbelievers in principle.

Whoever says, “Those who worship al Ḥasan, al Ḥusayn, or al Badawī are Muslims and not disbelievers,” this is approval of shirk. In reality, it is failure to declare the polytheists disbelievers, which is unanimously considered disbelief.

This is because such a person has judged that worshipping other than Allah is not disbelief.

Therefore, the statement of Shaykh al Fawzān applies to a specific category, namely, the one who believes that worshipping graves is not disbelief, not the one who is ignorant of the ruling regarding a specific individual.

Second, the statement of Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn regarding excusing ignorance Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn, may Allah have mercy on him, was speaking about the ruling on a specific individual who committed shirk while being ignorant, or who grew up in an environment of ignorance. This is the position of Shaykh al Islām Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn al Qayyim, Ibn Kathīr, al Shawkānī, al Ṣanʿānī, and the major verifying scholars. The ignorant specific individual is not declared a disbeliever until the proof is established against him.

Third, differentiating between general rulings and ruling on a specific individual Ahl al Sunnah differentiate between two matters. The general ruling: Worshipping other than Allah is major shirk and disbelief. No one is excused regarding this ruling itself. Shaykh al Fawzān is speaking about this matter. The ruling on a specific individual: Is a particular person who committed shirk declared a disbeliever. Here the issue of excusing ignorance applies. Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn is speaking about this matter. Thus, there is no contradiction. Each scholar is addressing a different issue.

Fourth, are you mistaken for choosing the position of Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn You are not mistaken at all. Your choice of the position of Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn, which is the position of the majority of the verifying scholars of Ahl al Sunnah, is correct and does not affect your creed in any way. Affirming excusing ignorance for a specific individual is not irjāʾ or dilution. Rather, it is the methodology of the Salaf. Allah تعالى said:

From the Qur'an:

  • Surah Al-Isra 15
    And We would never punish ˹a people˺ until We have sent a messenger ˹to warn them˺.

    This differentiation was affirmed by major scholars such as Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn al Qayyim, Ibn Kathīr, Ibn Bāz, Ibn ʿUthaymīn, the Permanent Committee, and Shaykh al Fawzān himself affirms excusing ignorance for a specific individual in other contexts, though he sometimes speaks in the context of clarifying the general ruling.

Fifth, the reason for your fear and confusion What you feel is understandable, because some statements are taken out of context and appear severe. But know the following: A person does not declare himself a disbeliever by choosing the position of a reliable scholar. It is not permissible for a layperson to declare people disbelievers, nor to declare himself a disbeliever. You are upon the creed of Ahl al Sunnah, and you are not required to delve into the fine details of this sensitive subject. There is no contradiction between Shaykh al Fawzān and Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn. Shaykh al Fawzān is speaking about those who do not declare the polytheists disbelievers at all. Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn is speaking about the ignorant specific individual. Your choice of the position of Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn is correct and in accordance with the methodology of Ahl al Sunnah. There is no need for fear. The matter becomes clear when the distinction between the two cases is understood.

And Allah knows best.

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