A summary of the concepts held by the Ahl al-Sunnah.
A refutation of those who do not declare secularism to be a form of disbelief (kufr).
Most of the verses concerning the declaration of disbelief for those who do not rule by what Allah has revealed, and the negation of faith from them,
were revealed regarding those among the People of the Scripture who claim to have faith,
or the hypocrites who feign Islam.
And that, and Allah knows best,
is only because whoever does not claim faith in any of the Books of Allah
is necessarily a disbeliever,
and there is no ambiguity regarding his disbelief.
This is unlike the one who claims to have faith,
yet rules by other than what Allah has revealed;
his case requires confirmation that he is among the disbelievers,
and his claim of faith will not avail him in the slightest.
For the saying of Allah the Exalted,
“Lo! We did reveal the Torah, wherein is guidance and a light, by which the prophets who surrendered (unto Allah) judged the Jews, and the rabbis and the priests (judged) by such of Allah's Scripture as they were bidden to observe, and thereunto were they witnesses. So fear not mankind, but fear Me. And My revelations for a little gain. Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed: such are disbelievers.” (5:44)
was revealed regarding the Jews.
And His saying, the Exalted,
“Hast thou not seen those who pretend that they believe in that which is revealed unto thee and that which was revealed before thee, how they would go for judgment (in their disputes) to false deities when they have been ordered to abjure them? Satan would mislead them far astray.” (4:60)
"and what was revealed before you,"
“Hast thou not seen those who pretend that they believe in that which is revealed unto thee and that which was revealed before thee, how they would go for judgment (in their disputes) to false deities when they have been ordered to abjure them? Satan would mislead them far astray.” (4:60)
“Hast thou not seen those who pretend that they believe in that which is revealed unto thee and that which was revealed before thee, how they would go for judgment (in their disputes) to false deities when they have been ordered to abjure them? Satan would mislead them far astray.” (4:60)
"while Satan wishes to lead them far astray."
And His saying, the Exalted,
“But nay, by thy Lord, they will not believe (in truth) until they make thee judge of what is in dispute between them and find within themselves no dislike of that which thou decidest, and submit with full submission.” (4:65)
“But nay, by thy Lord, they will not believe (in truth) until they make thee judge of what is in dispute between them and find within themselves no dislike of that which thou decidest, and submit with full submission.” (4:65)
was revealed regarding the hypocrites.
These hypocrites used to pray and fast,
and they would claim to have faith,
and they adhered to many of the outward rituals of Islam.
Yet that did not prevent them from being branded with disbelief and the absence of faith,
because of their abandonment of ruling by what Allah has revealed and their seeking judgment from others.
Therefore, let no one argue against the disbelief of secularism
on the grounds that it does not deny the existence of Allah,
nor prevents the performance of acts of worship,
and outwardly respects religious institutions and clergy.
For religion is an indivisible whole,
as the Exalted said:
"O you who have believed, enter into Islam completely [and perfectly]"
"and do not follow the footsteps of Satan."
"Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy."
"Al-silm" (in the verse) refers to Islam,
as the exegetes have stated.
And the Exalted said:
“Lo! those who disbelieve in Allah and His messengers, and seek to make distinction between Allah and His messengers, and say: We believe in some and disbelieve in others, and seek to choose a way in between;” (4:150)
“Lo! those who disbelieve in Allah and His messengers, and seek to make distinction between Allah and His messengers, and say: We believe in some and disbelieve in others, and seek to choose a way in between;” (4:150)
“Lo! those who disbelieve in Allah and His messengers, and seek to make distinction between Allah and His messengers, and say: We believe in some and disbelieve in others, and seek to choose a way in between;” (4:150)
“Lo! those who disbelieve in Allah and His messengers, and seek to make distinction between Allah and His messengers, and say: We believe in some and disbelieve in others, and seek to choose a way in between;” (4:150)
“Such are disbelievers in truth; and for disbelievers We prepare a shameful doom.” (4:151)
"And We have prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment."