Exposition of the Hadith

This profound narration from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), recorded in Imam al-Bukhari's "Al-Adab Al-Mufrad" (Hadith 440), addresses the grave matter of casually accusing a Muslim of disbelief (kufr). The statement establishes a fundamental principle in Islamic creed: the impermissibility of declaring a professing Muslim to be an unbeliever without definitive, textually-established proof.

The Legal and Theological Ruling (al-Hukm)

The declaration "You are an unbeliever" (kāfir) is not a mere insult; it is a legal ruling (takfīr) with severe consequences in this world and the Next. To pronounce takfir upon a Muslim without right is among the major sins, as it invalidates their marriage, permits the spilling of their blood, and severs their ties to the Muslim community.

The phrase, "then one of them is an unbeliever," serves as a severe warning. If the accusation is true and the accused is verifiably a disbeliever based on the clear criteria of the Shari'ah, then the speaker has merely stated a fact. However, if the accused is a believer, the one who made the false accusation has, by his wrongful judgment, fallen into the very disbelief he ascribed to another. This is because he has transgressed the limits set by Allah in matters of belief and disbelief.

The Wisdom and Prohibition

The wisdom behind this prohibition is immense. It preserves the sanctity of faith, protects the honor and blood of Muslims, and prevents the community from fracturing into sects that excommunicate one another. It teaches humility, reminding the believer that the true judgment of hearts belongs to Allah alone. A person's outward declarations and actions are what we judge by, while their inner state is known only to the Creator.

This hadith does not mean that disbelief cannot be identified or named. Rather, it prohibits reckless accusations based on personal interpretation, sin, or disagreement. The scholars have detailed conditions and obstacles that must be considered before a ruling of takfir can be made, ensuring it is not issued lightly.

Conclusion and Admonition

Therefore, the believer must guard his tongue from such grave statements. Disagreement in juristic matters or differences of opinion do not warrant accusations of disbelief. The path of safety is to refrain from pronouncing takfir upon any individual who professes the testimony of faith, unless they explicitly utter a statement of disbelief or perform an act that the unequivocal texts of the Qur'an and Sunnah define as nullifying Islam. This hadith from the chapter on "Disparaging" in "Al-Adab Al-Mufrad" is a cornerstone for maintaining unity and brotherhood within the Ummah.