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What is the criterion in the issue of exculpation due to interpretation (ta’weel), and is one excused by ignorance or interpretation in the foundation of the religion?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The bond of Islam is firmly established for an individual with certainty and is not removed except by the establishment of the prophetic proof (al-hujjah ar-risaliyyah) and the removal of doubts and impediments to declaring someone a disbeliever (takfir), such as ignorance, misinterpretation (ta'wil), or coercion. This applies to both fundamental (usul) and subsidiary (furu') matters. Allah has forgiven this Ummah for its errors in matters of belief and practice. The early Muslims (Salaf) did not declare anyone a disbeliever among those who differed on various issues. Rather, the fighting that occurred between them was due to misinterpretation (ta'wil), and misinterpretation prevents one from being considered a transgressor (fasiq). Indeed, Ahmad ibn Hanbal did not declare specific Jahmiyyah individuals to be disbelievers, even though he declared their statements to be disbelief.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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