"The Messenger of Allah said: 'No one who commits Zina is a believer at the moment when he is committing Zina, and no one who drinks wine is a believer at the moment when he is drinking it, and no thief is a believer at the moment when he is stealing, and no killer is a believer at the moment he is killing
The Book of Oaths (qasamah), Retaliation and Blood Money - Sunan an-Nasa'i
Hadith Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 4869
Hadith Text
"The Messenger of Allah said: 'No one who commits Zina is a believer at the moment when he is committing Zina, and no one who drinks wine is a believer at the moment when he is drinking it, and no thief is a believer at the moment when he is stealing, and no killer is a believer at the moment he is killing."
Scholarly Commentary
This profound hadith addresses the temporary suspension of complete faith (iman) during the commission of major sins. The scholars explain that this does not mean the person exits Islam entirely, but rather that the perfection of faith leaves them at that moment.
Iman consists of belief in the heart, utterance with the tongue, and action with the limbs. When a Muslim commits these grave sins, their actions contradict the requirements of complete faith, thus the Prophet described them as "not a believer" in the perfect sense during the act itself.
The specification of "at the moment" indicates the temporary nature of this spiritual state. Once the sin ceases and repentance follows, the believer returns to the full protection of faith. This teaching serves as both a severe warning against major sins and a mercy showing that forgiveness remains possible through sincere tawbah.
The four sins mentioned - unlawful sexual intercourse, drinking alcohol, theft, and murder - represent different categories of major transgressions against Allah's boundaries, showing the comprehensive nature of this spiritual principle.