As for praying behind an adherent of deviant doctrines whose innovation renders him an unbeliever, scholars have disagreed even over Friday prayer behind him. Anyone who holds that he is an unbeliever is instructed to repeat the prayer, since it was offered behind an unbeliever. This question, however, concerns declaring adherents of deviant doctrines unbelievers—a matter over which there is considerable confusion. Two positions have been reported from Mālik, two from al-Shāfiʿī, and two from Imam Ahmad. The same applies to the speculative theologians: two positions have been attributed to al-Ashʿarī. Most of the imams’ positions on this matter involve distinctions.

The reality of the matter is this: a statement may constitute unbelief, so that a general ruling is pronounced declaring its proponent an unbeliever, and it is said, “Whoever says such-and-such is an unbeliever.” Yet a particular individual who makes that statement is not judged to be an unbeliever until the proof whose rejection constitutes unbelief has been established against him.

This is comparable to the scriptural texts threatening punishment. Allah, glorified and exalted, says:

“Indeed, those who unjustly devour the property of orphans are only consuming fire into their bellies, and they will burn in a blazing Fire.”

This and similar scriptural threats are true. Yet it cannot be affirmed that a particular individual will suffer the threatened punishment. Thus, no particular person among those who face the qiblah is declared destined for the Fire, since the threatened punishment may not apply to him because a condition is absent or an impediment is present. The prohibition may not have reached him; he may repent of the prohibited act; he may have great good deeds that erase the punishment for that act; he may be afflicted with calamities that expiate his sins; or an intercessor whose intercession is accepted may intercede for him.