a zindīq in the terminology of many speculative theologians, ordinary people, and those who record people’s doctrines. However, the zindīq whose legal status the jurists discussed is the first type, because their concern is to distinguish between disbelievers and others, apostates and others, and those who disclose such beliefs and those who conceal them.
This ruling applies equally to all kinds of disbelievers and apostates, although their degrees of disbelief and apostasy differ. Allah has spoken of an increase in disbelief, just as He has spoken of an increase in faith, saying:
“Postponing the sacred months is only an increase in disbelief.”
And one who abandons prayer or any of the other pillars, or those who commit major sins; just as He has stated that some disbelievers will receive greater punishment than others in the Hereafter, saying:
“Those who disbelieve and bar others from Allah’s path—We shall add punishment upon punishment for them.”
This is a “principle” that should be understood, for it is important in this subject. Many who have discussed “questions of faith and disbelief”—in connection with declaring adherents of deviant doctrines to be disbelievers—have overlooked this matter and failed to distinguish between outward judgment and inward reality. Yet the distinction between the two is established by scriptural texts transmitted through numerous independent channels and by well-established consensus. Indeed, it is necessarily known as part of the religion of Islam.
Anyone who reflects on this will understand that many adherents of deviant doctrines and religious innovations may be believers who are mistaken, ignorant, and astray concerning some of what the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, brought. They may also be hypocritical zindīqs who outwardly profess the opposite of what they conceal.
There is “another principle” here: the Quran and Sunnah describe certain people as having Islam but not faith. The Most High says:
“The Bedouins say, ‘We believe.’ Say, ‘You have not believed