‘Do whatever you wish, for I have forgiven you.’” (1)

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, did not regard Hātib’s action as constituting apostasy. Thus, the scholars unanimously agree that if a Muslim spies on Muslims = he does not thereby become a disbeliever. They differed only over whether he should be executed, which is a matter of juristic judgment.

Further evidence that Hātib did not become a disbeliever through his action is that Allah Most High addressed him as a believer, saying:

“O you who have believed, do not take My enemies and your enemies as allies,” and the subsequent verses [al-Mumtahanah].

Whoever does what Hātib did—that is, without apostasy or turning away from Islam— = does not thereby become a disbeliever. Rather, he has committed a major sin for which he deserves execution or discretionary punishment. Hātib, may Allah be pleased with him, was spared punishment only because he had fought at Badr, as the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, pointed out. And Allah knows best.

Dictated by the author, may Allah preserve him, on:
2/8/1425 AH