The Ruling on Saying “I Do Not Know Allah and the Messenger” — with the Fatwa from Sambhal

Question

A discussion on some matter was going on between Zayd and Bakr. Zayd said, “Brother, whatever you say or discuss should be with Allah and the Messenger; speak putting Allah and the Messenger in between.” To this Bakr said, “I do not know Allah and the Messenger.” What is the ruling on such a person? Then, when Bakr was told, “Get up and leave this place at once; you are not fit to sit among us until you repent or act according to the ruling of the Sacred Law,” he said, “These words slipped out of my mouth.

Answer

Answer of Faqih al-Umma, may his secret be sanctified: For a Muslim’s words, as far as possible, an interpretation should be found by which that Muslim does not go out of Islam — especially when he also apologises, saying “these words slipped out of my mouth.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.