Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)s said, "When a slave (of Allah) commits illegal sexual intercourse, he is not a believer at the time of committing it; and if he steals, he is not a believer at the time of stealing; and if he drinks an alcoholic drink, when he is not a believer at the time of drinking it; and he is not a believer when he commits a murder," 'Ikrima said: I asked Ibn Abbas, "How is faith taken away from him?" He said, Like this," by clasping his hands and then separating them, and added, "But if he repents, faith returns to him like this, by clasping his hands again.
Hadith Text & Context
Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "When a slave (of Allah) commits illegal sexual intercourse, he is not a believer at the time of committing it; and if he steals, he is not a believer at the time of stealing; and if he drinks an alcoholic drink, he is not a believer at the time of drinking it; and he is not a believer when he commits a murder." 'Ikrima said: I asked Ibn Abbas, "How is faith taken away from him?" He said, "Like this," by clasping his hands and then separating them, and added, "But if he repents, faith returns to him like this, by clasping his hands again." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6809)
Meaning of Temporary Loss of Faith
Scholars explain that the Prophet (ﷺ) does not mean complete apostasy from Islam, but rather the perfection of faith (iman al-kamil) is temporarily suspended. The believer's fundamental faith remains, but the full protection and completeness of faith lifts during the commission of these major sins.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani states in Fath al-Bari that this refers to the departure of the "reality of faith" (haqiqat al-iman) while the "name of faith" (ism al-iman) remains. The sinner remains a Muslim legally but loses the complete faith that protects from disobedience.
The Four Major Sins Mentioned
Illegal sexual intercourse (zina), theft, drinking alcohol, and murder are among the gravest sins in Islam. They represent violations of Allah's limits (hudood) and fundamental moral principles. The severity is emphasized by their grouping together in this warning.
Al-Qurtubi notes that these particular sins were singled out because they involve extreme transgression against Allah's rights, others' rights, or both. They corrupt society and lead to further evil if not checked.
Ibn Abbas's Demonstration
The gesture of clasping and unclasping hands illustrates how faith can depart and return. This demonstrates that faith is not static but fluctuates based on obedience and disobedience. The separation shows faith's departure during sin, while rejoining shows its return through repentance.
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali explains this visual demonstration makes abstract spiritual concepts tangible. It shows both the fragility of faith when confronted with major sins and the mercy of Allah in accepting repentance.
The Door of Repentance Remains Open
The hadith concludes with the crucial teaching that faith returns completely with sincere repentance (tawbah). This reflects Allah's infinite mercy and the Islamic principle that no sin is beyond forgiveness except shirk if one repents before death.
Al-Nawawi emphasizes that this ending prevents despair and encourages immediate return to Allah. The temporary nature of faith's diminishment serves as both warning against sin and encouragement toward repentance.