or because, in his view, these acts form part of the goal that must be attained before fighting ceases, like the two testimonies of faith. For if someone pronounced one of them but omitted the other, he would be executed. Yet a distinction may be drawn between the two. But if he does not . . . (1)

In the case of an apostate, a distinction is drawn between simple apostasy, for which he is executed unless he repents, and aggravated apostasy, for which he is executed without being invited to repent. These are juristic rationales through which we have highlighted some grounds for execution. It has become clear that they do not dispute that neglecting what is commanded is more serious in the Hereafter. As for this world, we have already discussed the matter above.

The seventh point:

According to the Sunnah and scholarly consensus, people of religious innovation are worse than those who commit sins driven by desire. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, commanded fighting the Khawārij and forbade fighting unjust rulers. Concerning the man who drank wine, he said:

“Do not curse him, for he loves Allah and His Messenger.”

Concerning Dhū al-Khuwaysira, he said:

“From this man’s progeny will emerge people who recite the Quran, yet it does not go beyond their throats. They will pass out of the religion—in another narration, ‘out of Islam’—as an arrow passes through its quarry. Any one of you would consider his own prayer insignificant compared with