"But we cannot judge!"

We often hear the "Moderate Muslims" saying "but who are we to judge? Only Allah (SWT) knows his intention" after we make takfeer on someone. Indeed, it is only Allah (SWT) who knows ones intention, and Allah (SWT) is our ultimate judge, but this arguement ("we cannot judge") is not a valid arguement to refrain from making takfeer on someone. Based on the following two principles:

• Al-Imaan (Faith) must also be manifested into actions.
• We judge based on what is apparent.

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Al-Imaan (Faith) must also be manifested into actions.

Amongst the many deviant ideas, is that our Iman lies only in our hearts, and not in our actions. Our Iman is actually is in our hearts, tongue, and actions. All of which must be present for Iman to be valid. One cannot just have Iman in his heart, and not in actions. For example, lets say someone believes in Allah (SWT), believes that the Qur'an is the word of Allah (SWT), etc..., yet he insults the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS), he has apostated despite having Iman in his heart, and we know this based on the verses:

9:65 If thou dost question them, they declare (with emphasis): "We were only talking idly and in play." Say: "Was it at Allah, and His Signs, and His Messenger, that ye were mocking?"

وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُمْ لَيَقُولُنَّ إِنَّمَا كُنَّا نَخُوضُ وَنَلْعَبُ قُلْ أَبِاللّهِ وَآيَاتِهِ وَرَسُولِهِ كُنتُمْ تَسْتَهْزِؤُونَ

9:66 Make ye no excuses: ye have rejected Faith after ye had accepted it. If We pardon some of you, We will punish others amongst you, for that they are in sin

لاَ تَعْتَذِرُواْ قَدْ كَفَرْتُم بَعْدَ إِيمَانِكُمْ إِن نَّعْفُ عَن طَآئِفَةٍ مِّنكُمْ نُعَذِّبْ طَآئِفَةً بِأَنَّهُمْ كَانُواْ مُجْرِمِينَ

So there, we saw that eventhough they had Iman in their hearts, it was invalidated by the absence of Iman in their actions.

The concept that Iman is only in our hearts is called 'Irjaa, and is indeed a disease. We ask that Allah (SWT) frees us from it.

We admit to have posted little evidences but would be more then glad to provide more upon request.

We judge based on what is apparent.

We, as Muslims must judge based on what is apparent, as opposed to making assumptions by saying "we cannot judge because we do not know what is in his heart", because only Allah (SWT) knows what is in the heart.

Narrated by Nu'aim:"We were with the Prophet (SAWS), and a man came. They said he was a kaafir and conspired to take his money, the Prophet (saw) said: "didn't he say 'laa ilaha illa Allah?" they said: "yes, but only out of fear from the sword." The Prophet (SAWS) said: "do not kill him, I have been ordered to fight people until they say laa ilaha illa Allah, after that there life and wealth is protected." They said, "O Messenger, he feared our sword." The Prophet (SAWS) said: "I have been ordered to judge the apparent." [Nisaa'i 3714]

Sufyan Al Thawree said regarding this Hadeeth: "This is so clear, that the pillars (the sayings and actions) are for people to see and hear (i.e. they are apparent)."

Abu Izz Al Hanafi said: "We have been ordered to judge by the apparent, and Allah (SWT)forbade us to doubt people, and to follow what we do not have knowledge, (Allah [swt] said: ) "O Believers, avoid the doubt … [49: 12] & [isra: 36]" [Aqeedah Tahaqiyyah]

Imam Ahmed said: "The Imaan and the nifaq has its origin in the heart, but what appears is the sayings and actions, is its branch and is evidence about it."