He also reported God’s messenger as saying, “When one commits fornication he is not a believer, when one steals he is not a believer, when one drinks wine he is not a believer, when one takes plunder on account of which men raise their eyes at him he is not a believer, and when one of you defrauds he is not a believer; so beware, beware!" (Bukhari and Muslim.) The version of Ibn ‘Abbas contains “When one commits murder he is not a believer.” ‘Ikrima said that he asked Ibn 'Abbas how faith could be snatched away from him, and he replied “Thus (interlacing his fingers and then separating them), but if he repents, it will return to him thus,” and he interlaced his fingers. Aba ‘Abdallah1 said that such a one is not a perfect believer and does not possess the light of faith. This is Bukhari's wording.1 i.e. ‘Ikrima, Abu Abdullah being his kunya.
Exposition of the Hadith on Major Sins and Faith
This profound narration from Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, also documented in Mishkat al-Masabih (53, 54), addresses the relationship between major sins and the state of faith (iman). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) enumerates several grave offenses—fornication, theft, wine consumption, usurping property, fraud, and murder—declaring that when one commits these acts, "he is not a believer."
Scholarly Interpretation of "He is Not a Believer"
The classical scholars, particularly Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah, interpret this expression not as complete expulsion from Islam (kufr), but as indicating a severe deficiency in faith. As Imam Bukhari himself states in his Sahih, such a person "is not a perfect believer and does not possess the light of faith." This means the perpetrator's faith is diminished, not entirely nullified.
The clarification from Ibn Abbas, transmitted through 'Ikrima, demonstrates that faith can be temporarily snatched away during the commission of major sins, but returns upon sincere repentance. This aligns with the principle that faith increases through obedience and decreases through disobedience.
Theological Implications and Warning
The repeated warning "beware, beware!" serves as a powerful admonition against complacency regarding major sins. While the sinner remains within the fold of Islam, their spiritual state becomes critically compromised. The "light of faith" referenced by Bukhari signifies the spiritual illumination that guides one toward righteousness—this luminosity becomes obscured when willfully engaging in prohibited acts.
This teaching maintains the balance between hope and fear: hope in Allah's mercy through repentance, and fear of the spiritual consequences of persisting in disobedience. It affirms that faith is not merely verbal affirmation but must manifest in actions and avoidance of prohibitions.