All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.

The believer in Allah and His Messenger, peace be upon him, is one who believes in everything that the Prophet, peace be upon him, brought. As it is stated in [Itihaf al-Murīd, Shareh Jawharat at-Tawhid , page 87]: "And they have explained faith, meaning its definition, as the consensus of the Ash'aris, Maturidis, and others, as the belief that is well-known in the religion. It is believing in our Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, in everything that we know he brought from the religion with certainty, that is, in what has become well-known among the Muslims, and knowledge of which is similar to necessary knowledge, to the extent that the common people know it without needing to think or deduce."

Obeying Allah's commands and avoiding His prohibitions is a religious obligation upon every responsible person. Therefore, it is a religious duty upon the Muslim to completely submit to the law of the Prophet, peace be upon him. This is a sign of complete faith, as Allah says {what means}: 'And by your Lord, they will not believe until they make you, [O Muhammad], judge concerning that over which they dispute then find within themselves no constraint from that which you have judged and submit in full submission' [An-Nisa, 65]."

As for committing sins, such as neglecting prayer and fasting, it is something prohibited by Islamic law and considered a major sin. However, it does not expel a Muslim from the fold of Islam or entirely negate their faith. Rather, it diminishes their faith. The sinner remains a believer and a Muslim, and their life and wealth are protected. This is the consensus belief of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah. Imam Saif al-Din al-Amidi, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "There is a consensus among Muslims that those who die in a state of major sin without repentance die upon faith." 

 

As for disliking certain rulings of Islamic law while believing in them, this is unbecoming of someone with complete faith. A true believer's heart should align with what the Shari’ah prescribes. However, such dislike may stem from a natural inclination, such as preferring ease over the difficulty of exerting effort in worship. This type of dislike does not constitute disbelief in Allah. A believer should strive to strengthen their faith so that they love acts of obedience, dislike sin, and align themselves with what pleases Allah in their states and actions. Allah The Almighty says {what means}: "But Allah has endeared faith to you and has made it pleasing in your hearts and has made disbelief, defiance, and disobedience hateful to you. Those are the rightly guided."

[Al-Hujurat, 7].

Some of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, experienced this type of natural dislike especially in matters that are naturally burdensome, such as sacrificing one's life and wealth. Allah The Almighty mentioned that they disliked going out to fight in the Battle of Badr and preferred the spoils of war. Allah says {what means}: "Just as your Lord brought you out of your home in truth while indeed, a party among the believers were unwilling." [Al-Anfal, 5]. Allah also informed us that fighting in His cause was naturally disliked by believers due to human nature and the disposition of mankind. Allah says {what means}: "Fighting has been enjoined upon you while it is hateful to you. But perhaps you hate a thing, and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing, and it is bad for you. And Allah knows, while you know not."

[Al-Baqarah, 216]. Allah also says {what means}: "This worldly life is only amusement and diversion. And if you believe and fear Allah, He will give you your rewards and not ask you for your wealth. If He should ask you for it and press you, you would withhold, and He would expose your unwillingness." [Muhammad, 36-37].

Some individuals who hasten to declare others as disbelievers (takfir) might mistakenly believe that a person’s natural dislike of certain aspects of what the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) brought constitutes disbelief and removal from the fold of Islam. This misunderstanding would lead to the erroneous conclusion of declaring the Companions and most Muslims as disbelievers. In reality, feeling a natural dislike for certain rulings of the Shariah—while acknowledging and practicing them—is a normal human reaction. The Prophet (peace be upon him) informed us that such feelings do not constitute disbelief. Instead, enduring and overcoming these natural aversions can be a means of earning greater rewards from Allah. For instance, in the hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Shall I not inform you of what erases sins and elevates ranks?” They said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.” He said, “Performing ablution properly despite difficulties, taking many steps to the mosques, and waiting for the next prayer after observing one. That is like guarding the frontiers (in Jihad).” (Transmitted by Muslim). Those who hasten to declare others as disbelievers often cite the verse: “That is because they disliked what Allah revealed, so He rendered worthless their deeds.” [Muhammad, 9]. However, they overlook the fact that this verse pertains to disbelievers and hypocrites who dislike Allah’s revelations due to their rejection, denial, and disbelief in them. It does not apply to believers who may have a natural aversion to certain rulings but still accept and abide by them.

In conclusion, a Muslim’s natural dislike of certain Shariah rulings does not contradict faith. However, a believer with complete faith loves Allah, His Messenger, and the Shariah rulings, and submits to them willingly. Their love for what pleases Allah and His Messenger surpasses their personal inclinations. And Allah the Almighty knows best.