In Islamic fiqh, is there a rule meaning, “Whoever does not call an unbeliever an unbeliever is an unbeliever himself”?

Dear Brother / Sister,

- The statement, “He who does not call an unbeliever an unbeliever is an unbeliever himself,” is not a principle of fiqh. Besides, those who adopt this principle may be taking a great risk because someone who considers the decree, “He who does not call an unbeliever an unbeliever is an unbeliever himself, “might try to label anyone who speaks even slightly doubtfully as an “unbeliever”. Otherwise, they might face the trouble of being labeled an unbeliever themselves for not calling “an unbeliever an unbeliever”. In fact, the following is stated in a hadith:

“The judgment of one who calls someone an unbeliever does not remain suspended. If the person branded as an unbeliever is truly an unbeliever, then there is no problem... Otherwise, that unbelief returns to the one who utters the words.” (See Bukhari, Adab, 73; Muslim, Iman, 111)

- Some scholars have taken a strong stance on this issue. Their statement, “He who does not call an unbeliever an unbeliever is an unbeliever himself,” means that someone who still regards a clearly unbelieving person as a believer does not value Islamic values. Otherwise, just as someone who never curses Satan throughout his life is not held accountable for it, so too is someone who does not call an unbeliever an unbeliever not held accountable for it because condemnations and denigrations are not included in the concept of righteous deeds.

- During the Ottoman era, some people said, “Do not call Christians ‘Hey infidels’.”

The answer given by Badiuzzaman Said Nursi to the question, “Why should we not call an unbeliever an unbeliever?” also sheds light on the issue. His answer is as follows:

“We do not say ‘Hey blind man!’ to a blind man... because that is harassment. Harassment is forbidden: “Whoever harms a dhimmi…” (see Nursi, Münazarat)

The hadith Nursi refers to is as follows:

“Whoever harms a dhimmi (non-Muslim citizen) I shall be his foe on the Day of Judgment. I will settle accounts with whomever I am a foe of.” (Kanzul-Ummal, h. no: 10909)

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