Calling upon Other Than Allah out of Ignorance of His Oneness

Question

What is the ruling concerning Muslims who call upon other than Allah out of ignorance of the true meaning of His oneness?

Answer (English translation)

Answer: The ruling is that their action is disbelief. Calling upon other than Allah among the dead and seeking rescue from the dead is an act of disbelief. The scholars differed concerning whether the person himself is thereby judged a disbeliever, or must first be taught. There are two views.

The first is that he must be taught, because the matter may have become confused for him because of those who promote falsehood and because of corrupt scholars. It may have become unclear to him, so he must be taught and alerted before being judged a disbeliever. This is the view of a group of scholars.

The second view is that no explanation is required because the matter is clear. The Quran as a whole explains polytheism, as does the Sunnah. The Messenger explained it, and the scholars have explained it. His being judged a disbeliever therefore does not depend on a further explanation; rather, he is a disbeliever through this act.

However, he is to be called upon to repent before being put to death. If there is an Islamic state holding him accountable, it must not put him to death until it has called upon him to repent. It tells him, 'Repent to Allah and abandon this polytheism.' If he repents and ceases, praise belongs to Allah. If he persists, he is put to death.

In any case, this is a grave matter. The view that he is a disbeliever simply by committing these acts is a strong view, but the more cautious approach is not to proceed to that judgement until he has been informed, directed towards good and taught, so that he may be guided, if this is possible. However, his ruling in this world is the ruling of disbelievers so long as he performs their acts. He is treated like them in this world: no funeral prayer is offered for him, he is not washed, and Muslims do not inherit from him.