al-Taliqat al-Mukhtasarah ala Matn al-Aqidah al-Tahawiyyah - Salih Al-Fawzan - (165)

Nor do we testify against anyone that he is a disbeliever, a polytheist, or a hypocrite unless something of that clearly appears from him; rather, we speak well of him. In the same way, we do not pass a definitive judgement that a particular unbeliever is bound for the Fire, for he may repent, die upon that repentance, and end his life in a good state. We are merely fearful for him—this applies to individuals.

As for the general rule, we hold with certainty that the Muslims are in Paradise and that the unbelievers are among the people of Hell.

The original presumption concerning every Muslim is uprightness, and this is a tremendous principle: we must not entertain ill suspicion about him, spy on him, or track him down. If something blameworthy becomes manifest, we judge him by what has appeared; if nothing appears, we do not think badly of the Muslims. We deal with each person according to what is outwardly evident, for we have not been charged with investigating people, scrutinising their affairs, or passing judgement upon them—Allah has not tasked us with that. (1)

(1) Ibn Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ once mounted the pulpit and, raising his voice, declared, “O people who have embraced Islam with their tongues while iman (faith) has not yet entered your hearts, do not harm the Muslims, do not revile them, and do not probe into their private matters. Whoever pursues the faults of his Muslim brother, Allah will pursue his faults; and if Allah pursues someone’s faults, He will expose him even within the privacy of his own house.” … On another occasion Ibn Umar looked at the Kabah and said, “How great you are and how great is your sanctity, yet the believer is more sacred in Allah’s sight than you.” Recorded by al-Tirmidhi, no. 2037, who graded the report hasan gharib (sound but uncommon).

ولا نشهد عليهم بكفر ولا بشرك ولا بنفاق، ما لم يظهر منهم شيء من ذلك: ــ الخير. وكذلك الكافر المعين لا نحكم عليه بالنار؛ لأنه قد يتوب ويموت على التوبة، يختم له بخير، لكننا نخاف عليه، هذا من حيث التعيين. أما من حيث العموم: فنقطع أن المسلمين في الجنة، ونقطع أن الكفار من أهل النار. الأصل في المسلم: العدالة، وهذه قاعدة عظيمة فلا نسيء الظن فيه ولا نتجسس عليه، ولا نتتبعه، لكن إن ظهر لنا شيء حكمنا به عليه، وإن لم يظهر شيء فلا نسيء الظن بالمسلمين، فنعامله بما يظهر منه، ونحن لسنا مكلفين بالبحث عن الناس والتحري عنهم والحكم عليهم، لم يكلفنا الله بذلك (١) .

(١) فعن ابن عمر ﵄ قال: صعد رسول الله ﷺ المنبر فنادى بصوت رفيع، فقال: "يا معشر من قد أسلم بلسانه ولم يُفضِ الإيمان إلى قلبه، لا تؤذوا المسلمين ولا تعيروهم ولا تتبعوا عوارتهم، فإنه من تتبع عورة أخيه المسلم تتبع الله عورته، ومن تتبع الله عورته يفضحه الله ولو في جوف رحله". ...ونظر ابن عمر يوماً إلى البيت أو إلى الكعبة فقال: ما أعظمك وأعظم حرمتك والمؤمن أعظم حرمة عند الله منك. أخرجه الترمذي (رقم٢٠٣٧) وقال: هذا حديث حسن غريب.