If an individual accepts Islam solely in their heart, passing away without any formal acknowledgement, would they still be considered a Muslim?

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QUESTION:

A person left his home with the intention that he will go to an Islamic scholar and accept Islam. He had accepted Islam in his heart but did not say it with his tongue. Sadly, he passed away en route. Will this person be classed as a Muslim?

ANSWER:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

In essence, if an individual privately acknowledges their faith in Islam in their heart without making it known to anyone else, the Islamic rulings will not be applicable to them in this world. Nonetheless, since the person has testified their belief internally, they will be recognised as a Muslim in the divine court of Almighty Allah in the hereafter.

However, if an individual has embraced Islam and openly proclaimed their faith to someone, yet is awaiting an official declaration in the Masjid by scheduling a specific day to declare their faith in front of a gathering of Muslims, they will still be acknowledged as a Muslim, even in matters pertaining to Islamic rulings.

And Allah Ta’ālā Knows Best
Zayd Imran

Concurred by:
Hanif Yusuf

References

وذهب جمهور المحققين إلى أن الإيمان هو التصديق بالقلب، وإنما الإقرار شرط لإجراء الأحكام في الدنيا لما أن تصديق القلب أمر باطني لا بد له من علامة، فمن صدق بقلبه ولم يقر بلسانه فهو مؤمن عند الله تعالى، وإن لم يكن مؤمنا في أحكام الدنيا؛ ومن أقر بلسانه ولم يصدق بقلبه كالمنافق فبالعكس
[Sharh al-Fiqh al-Akbar: 1:253: Dār al-Bashā’ir al-Islāmiyah]

دنیوی احکام جاری ہونے کے لئے اقرار شرط ہے، اگر کسی شخص کے سامنے اس نے اپنے اسلام لانے کا اقرار کیا نہیںسمجھا جائےگا، اگرکسی اسلام کر لیاتھا تواس کے نہیں کیا تو دنیوی احکام میں اس کو مسلمان نہیں سمجھا جائے گا، اور اگر کسی کے سامنے اسلام کا اقرار کر لیا تھا تو اس پر مسلمانوں کے احکام جاری ہوں گے
[Āp Ke Masā’il Aur Un Ka Hal: 1:44: Maktabah Ludhyānwi]

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Posted in Aqaa'id (Beliefs)Death (Funeral) on 7th Jul 2023 by Our Imam | 338 Views