of faith, because Allah the Exalted says: “If two groups of the believers fight one another, then make peace between them. But if one of them transgresses against the other, fight the one that transgresses until it returns to the command of Allah. If it returns, then reconcile between them with justice and act equitably, for Allah loves those who are equitable” (Al-Hujurāt 49:9). Thus, even while the two warring factions are committing a grave sin, they remain our brothers.

Likewise, when Allah speaks about the idolaters He says: “But if they repent, establish the prayer, and pay the zakah, then they are your brothers in religion” (At-Tawbah 9:11). Therefore, if they fail to do these acts, they are not our brothers.

That is the evidence from the Quran. As for the Sunnah, listen to what Muslim narrates in his Ṣaḥīḥ from Jābir ibn ʿAbd Allāh—may Allah be pleased with them both—that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Between a man and polytheism is the abandonment of prayer.” The wording “between” denotes separation and distinction, showing that each side is different from the other. In another wording: “Between a man and polytheism and disbelief is the abandonment of prayer.” Thus, when he gives it up he is no longer a Muslim; he becomes a polytheist or disbeliever.

The collectors of the Sunan also relate from Buraydah ibn al-Ḥuṣayb—may Allah be pleased with him—that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The covenant that stands between us and them is the prayer; whoever abandons it has committed disbelief.” The covenant—the dividing line—between us and the disbelievers is the prayer; whoever abandons it has disbelieved, becoming one of them and no longer one of us.