Considering transgression as halal takes Iman away or not

Answer (بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم)

Supporting transgression (zulm) and justifying it as lawful when one clearly knows it is oppression is a grave matter in Islam. The effect on imaan depends on the intention, belief, and degree of justification. Below is the detailed ruling based on the Qur’an, authentic Sunnah, and the statements of the major Salafi scholars.

1. General Principle: Not Every Sin Nullifies Imaan

Committing a major sin (kabirah) does not necessarily take a person out of Islam, as long as he does not believe it is halal (lawful). The Salaf held that a Muslim can commit a major sin and still remain a believer, though his faith is weakened.

Evidence:

• The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever says: ‘There is no god but Allah’ and dies upon that will enter Paradise” (Sahih Muslim, 26).
• Ibn ‘Umar reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “The believer remains in a state of his religion as long as he does not shed unlawful blood” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 6862).

Thus, supporting a tyrant does not automatically nullify imaan unless the supporter believes that the oppression is permissible in Islamic law.

2. When Does Supporting Transgression Remove Imaan?

If a person, after knowing the clear truth (that the regime is killing innocents, stealing, and spreading corruption), justifies it as lawful – such as saying: “The government has the right to suppress any uprising, even by killing innocents” – then he is declaring what Allah has forbidden to be halal.

This is kufr (disbelief) because it involves:

• Denying the prohibition of injustice.
• Approval of what Allah and His Messenger have condemned.

Qur’anic Proof:
Allah says:

“And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed – then it is those who are the disbelievers.” (Surah al-Ma’idah 5:44)

Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “This verse refers to the one who rejects the ruling of Allah and declares it permissible to judge by other than it.” (Tafsir al-Tabari)

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said:

“Whoever deems permissible what Allah has forbidden – such as injustice, shedding innocent blood, or taking wealth unlawfully – then he has disbelieved in the Qur’an and the Messenger.” (Majmu’ al-Fatawa, 12/479)

Shaykh Ibn Baz (رحمه الله) said:

“Supporting the oppressors in their oppression is a major sin. If a person believes that their actions are permissible while knowing they are forbidden, then he has apostatized from Islam.” (Fatawa al-Islamiyyah, 1/372)

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (رحمه الله) said:

“Justifying transgression by saying ‘the government has the right to do this’ after knowing it is oppression is a form of tahlil (making lawful what Allah has forbidden). This can lead to kufr if the person firmly believes it is allowed.” (Sharh al-‘Aqidah al-Wasitiyyah, 2/153)

Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan (حفظه الله) said:

“Whoever aids a tyrant in his tyranny and declares it lawful commits kufr. But if he merely aids out of weakness or fear, he is sinful but not a disbeliever.” (Al-Muntaqa min Fatawa al-Fawzan, 1/68)

3. The Specific Case in the Question

The questioner describes:

• The regime kills innocents, steals money, and spreads corruption.
• The supporter knows this clearly.
• Yet he supports the regime out of old respect and justifies it as lawful (e.g., “the regime must defend its authority”).

Ruling:

• If this person truly believes that killing innocents and stealing is halal under the guise of “defending authority” (i.e., he makes a general principle that the ruler can do anything to stay in power), then his Imaan is nullified because he has declared what Allah has forbidden as permissible.
• If he merely feels loyalty but does not actually believe the injustice is halal – rather, he knows it is wrong but supports out of bias, nationalism, or fear – then he commits a major sin that may reach the level of kufr as-sughra (lesser disbelief), but he is not an apostate. He must repent sincerely.

Evidence: The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever assists an oppressor (zālim) in his oppression, Allah will hand him over to him.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 2321; classed as hasan)

And:

“The most sinful of people on the Day of Resurrection is the one who kills a prophet, or kills someone who commands justice, or a person who supports a tyrant in his tyranny.” (Musnad Ahmad, 1/375; authenticated by al-Albani)

Shaykh al-Albani (رحمه الله) said:

“Supporting the unjust ruler in his injustice is a major sin, but it does not necessarily remove imaan unless accompanied by istihlal (deeming it permissible).” (Silsilat al-Hudā wa al-Nūr, 1/31)

4. Conclusion

• If the supporter justifies the injustice as lawful, believing it is permitted in Islam: his Imaan is removed (major kufr).
• If he knows it is wrong but supports out of old respect, nationalism, or worldly reasons – without deeming it halal – he remains a Muslim but is guilty of a very grave sin. He must fear Allah, repent, and cease supporting the oppressor.

Final Advice:
Allah says:

“And do not incline toward those who do wrong, lest the Fire touch you.” (Surah Hud 11:113)

Ibn Kathir commented: “Inclining includes loving them, helping them, or being pleased with their actions.”

The supporter must cut ties with the corrupt regime, speak against injustice, and repent. True imaan requires:

• Hating evil for the sake of Allah.
• Not defending or justifying transgression after the truth is clear.

May Allah guide us all to the straight path.