Ibn Bazz: Second Question: Does committing some sins, particularly the major sins adversely affect the first pillar of Islam?
Q 2: Second Question: Does committing some sins, particularly the major sins adversely affect the first pillar of Islam?
A:
Committing major sins such as Zina (premarital sexual intercourse and/or adultery), drinking Khamr (intoxicant), killing a person without a legal excuse, eating up Riba (usury), Ghibah (backbiting), Namimah (talebearing), etc., badly affects the testimony of Tawhid (belief in the Oneness of Allah/ monotheism) and makes his Iman (Faith/belief) weak, but does not render one a Kafir (disbeliever/nonMuslim), contrary to the Khawarij (separatist group that believes committing a major sin amounts to disbelief). The Khawarij hold that he is a Kafir and say that he will abide forever in Hellfire, if he dies without repenting. If one steals, disobeys his parents, or eats up Riba, he is considered Kafir according to the Khawarij even if he does not deem this act lawful. This is a fatal mistake on the part of the Khawarij. According to AhlulSunnah walJama`ah (those adhering to the Sunnah and the Muslim main body), such a person is not a Kafir, but is disobedient and weak in Iman for this does not involve major Kufr (disbelief). Rather, his Iman is diminished and weakened. Therefore, Allah prescribed a Had (ordained punishment for violating Allah’s Law) for a person who commits Zina; he is to be lashed a hundred times and exiled for a year if he is unmarried. If Zina is like Riddah (apostasy), then he should be killed and since he should not be killed, this indicates that this is not Riddah. The thief is not to be killed but his hand should be cut off. This indicates that such sins do not entail Riddah or Kufr, they just mean weakness and a decrease in Iman. Therefore, Allah prescribed Hudud (pl. of Had) to discipline such sinners in order to repent to Allah and quit the sins they used to do.
Mu`tazilah (a deviant Islamic sect claiming that those who commit major sins are in a state between belief and disbelief) hold the view that he is in a state between belief and disbelief but will abide forever in Hellfire, if he dies on such a sin without repenting. Thus, they disagree with AhlulSunnah
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concerning the statement that the sinners will abide forever in Hellfire and agree with Khawarij in this respect. The Khawarij said that he is Kafir and will abide forever in Hellfire while Mu`tazilah said that he will abide forever in Hellfire, but is not called Kafir. However, both groups have gone astray.
The correct view is that of AhlulSunnah walJama`ah that he is not Kafir but is disobedient, weak in Iman and in great danger, as it is expected that he may fall into Kufr. Nevertheless, he is not Kafir so long as he does not deem this sin lawful; rather, he commits it while knowing that it is disobedience but tempted by Satan and personal desires. Such is the view of the people who follow the truth. When he dies in this state, he will be left to the Will of Allah; if He so wills, He may forgive him, and if He so wills, He may punish him according to his sins. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: Verily, Allâh forgives not that partners should be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He wills After the sinner spends the period which Allah ordains him to pass in Hellfire, Allah brings him out to Jannah (Paradise). This is the view of the people who follow the truth, which was reported from the Messenger (peace be upon him), contrary to the Khawarij and Mu`tazilah as explained previously.
With regard to a person who dies in the state of major Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship), Allah will never forgive him at all and he will be forbidden access to Jannah we seek Allah's Refuge from this. He will abide eternally in Hellfire, according to the Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) mentioned above and others that indicate that the Kafirs will abide in Hellfire forever, may Allah save us from their status!
As for the disobedient, if he enters Hellfire, he will not abide therein forever; he will stay there as Allah wills and may stay a long time but this is a temporary abiding, different from that of the Kafirs. Allah (Exalted be He) says:
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And those who invoke not any other ilâh (god) along with Allâh, nor kill such person as Allâh has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse and whoever does this shall receive the punishment. 
The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace; Except those who repent This abiding in Hellfire is temporary with regard to the killer and fornicator, if Allah does not forgive them and they do not repent. May Allah grant us safety!
As for the Mushrik (one who associates others with Allah in His Divinity or worship), he will abide in Hellfire forever and permanently. With regard to Mushriks, Allah (Glorified be He) says:Thus Allâh will show them their deeds as regrets for them. And they will never get out of the Fire. Allah (Glorified be
He) also says: They will long to get out of the Fire, but never will they get out therefrom; and theirs will be a lasting torment. Allah (Glorified be He) also says: Neither will it have a complete killing effect on them so that they die, nor shall its
torment be lightened for them. Thus do We requite every disbeliever! We seek refuge with Allah from this state.
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