Not ruling by what Allāh has revealed? Sh. Salih Al-Fawzan

Summary

The video is a religious lecture arguing that ruling by anything other than what God (Allah) revealed—namely the Qur’an and Sunnah—is disbelief (or, at minimum, a serious lesser form of it). The speaker frames several modern political/legal claims as attacks on Islam.

“Sharia is outdated” / “rules must change with time”

The guest is described as claiming that Qur’anic and Sunnah rulings apply only to the past and must be replaced by rules suitable to the “present time.” The lecturer calls this apostasy, arguing that Sharia is valid for all places and times until the Hour arrives, and that rejecting it stems from misunderstanding and deficiency, not from any flaw in Sharia.

Rejecting hadd punishments as too harsh

Stoning the adulterer, cutting off the thief, and killing the apostate are presented as God’s decrees—which some “hypocrites” are said to condemn as barbaric and unfit for modernity. The lecturer treats this rejection as clear apostasy and rejection of God’s rulings.

“It’s a choice” between Sharia and man-made laws

The lecturer argues that believing a person can choose between Islamic law and human law “and it’s the same” is apostasy, because God’s rulings are binding, not optional. The speaker cites the idea that believers respond with “We hear and we obey” when called to be judged by God and His Messenger.

Going to secular courts

The speaker claims that saying “I will go to the courts” (instead of seeking judgment by God’s revelation) is apostasy. In contrast, choosing to abandon a claim is treated as a personal right.

Disobedience vs disbelief—levels of sin

The lecturer distinguishes between:

• A disbelieving act that expels someone from Islam, such as believing that ruling by other than God is permissible, better, or equal.
• Lesser disbelief (kufr dūn kufr) for those who rule by other than God’s law due to lust, greed, bribery, or desire for position, while still believing they are committing a sin. This is described as “practical disbelief,” a major sin but not necessarily leaving Islam.
• Judges who err sincerely while trying to rule by Sharia, applying the hadith principle that a judge who strives and is correct gets two rewards, and one who is wrong gets one—and the mistake is forgiven because the intention was to follow revelation.

Presenters / Contributors

• Sh. Salih Al-Fawzan (identified from the video title)
• Implied Qur’anic/Hadith scholars referenced: Ibn Abbas (referenced), the Prophet Muhammad (referenced)