The Ruling on a Teacher Who Calls His Pupil a Kafir

Question

If a teacher says of his pupil, “This pupil is disobedient (‘aq) to his teacher,” and tells people, “This pupil has become a kafir; prayer behind him is not permissible,” and the pupil offers repentance — has done so several times — yet there is no proof whatsoever of any disrespect on the pupil’s part, and the teacher tells people, “He is an utter kafir,” what does the Sacred Law rule regarding such a teacher?

Answer

First of all, the teacher should be asked the reason for the pupil’s having become a kafir; whatever reason he gives will be considered from the standpoint of the Sacred Law. Calling a Muslim a kafir without cause is itself a sin of the degree of kufr.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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