that this form of disbelief categorically takes a person out of the religion, for whoever dismisses the Islamic Sharia and installs man-made law in its place thereby declares—by his very act—that such law is, in his eyes, better and more suitable than the Sharia. This is indisputably major disbelief that expels one from the faith and negates true monotheism.

Chapter Seven
Claiming the Right to Legislate and to Declare Things Lawful or Unlawful

The claim to possess the right to legislate— to pronounce matters permissible or forbidden and to set the rulings by which people conduct their worship, their transactions, and all their affairs; rulings that resolve their disputes and end their quarrels—belongs exclusively to Allah, Lord of humankind and Creator of all things: “Unquestionably, to Him belong the creation and the command. Blessed is Allah, Lord of the worlds” (7:54). He alone knows what benefits His servants and therefore prescribes it for them. By virtue of His lordship He legislates for them, and by virtue of their servanthood they accept His judgments— and the benefit returns to them. The Exalted said: “If you disagree about anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you truly believe in Allah and the Last Day; that is better and yields the best outcome” (4:59). And He said: “Whatever you differ about, its judgment rests with Allah. That is Allah, my Lord” (42:10).