- The fifth subdivision is the disbelief of hypocrisy, and the proof is the Almighty’s words: “That is because they believed, then disbelieved; so a seal was set upon their hearts, and they no longer understand.” (al-Munāfiqūn 63:3)
The second category is lesser disbelief, which does not expel a person from the religion; it is practical disbelief. It refers to sins that the Quran and Sunnah describe as “disbelief,” yet they do not reach the level of major disbelief. An example is ingratitude for blessings, as in His statement: “Allah sets forth the example of a town that was secure and at ease; its provision came to it abundantly from every place, but it showed ingratitude for Allah’s favors.” (an-Naḥl 16:112)
Another example is fighting a Muslim, as indicated in the Prophet’s ﷺ words: “Reviling a Muslim is defiance, and fighting him is disbelief.” (1) He ﷺ also said, “Do not revert to disbelief after I am gone, striking one another’s necks.” (2) A further example is swearing by anything other than Allah; he ﷺ said, “Whoever swears by anything other than Allah has committed disbelief or shirk (associating partners with Him).” (3) Thus, Allah still regards the perpetrator of a grave sin as a believer,