On the other hand...

On the other hand, the minimum amount of disbelief is the denial or rejection of: monotheism, prophethood, Resurrection or in whatever one has ascertained that has been sent by God to His prophets. However, the worst stage of disbelief is the hostile rejection of all such facts, whilst knowing that they are all true; and further being determined to fight against the true religion. The above identification suggests polytheism (denying monotheism) as a manifestation of disbelief.

However, hypocrisy is considered as inner disbelief mixed with deception whilst outwardly behaving like a Muslim.

Moreover, the hypocrite’s (disbeliever) decline is much harsher than that of the other disbelievers, as the Holy Qur’an states:“Indeed the hypocrites will be in the lowest reach of the Fire” (al-Nisā:145) The point to be mentioned here is that Islam and disbelief, which are discussed in jurisprudence and which are the subjects of the approval or rejection of cleanliness, formal slaughtering of an animal, marriage and heritage, do not necessarily involve faith and disbelief being discussed as the principles of religion.

It is possible for a person to express the Islamic formula (Shahādatān) and consider the rightfulness of Islamic jurisprudence, yet in his heart, such a person may hold no sincere belief in their contents and the requisites of monotheism and prophethood. Moreover, if one is not capable of realising the principles of religion (i.e. a mad or stupid person), or if one, due to the conditions of his society cannot find the true religion, he will be forgiven for such a failure.

However, if another person fails to find the true religion whilst having access to all the necessary means for such recognition or if a person remains in doubt or denies the principles and necessities of the religion with no specific reason, he will not be forgiven and will be sentenced to eternal punishment.

The effect of faith and disbelief on eternal prosperity or adversity Since man’s true perfection is due to his closeness to God, and on the other hand, his decline is the result of being far from Him, it is reasonable to claim that belief in God and His canonical and creative dominance which necessitate belief in Resurrection and prophethood, is the sapling of man’s true evolution.

In that case, man’s God- pleasing deeds resemble the sapling’s branches, and the leaves and fruit will be the eternal prosperity represented in the Hereafter.