What Does Istikhfaf (Belittling) a Ruling of Islam Mean and What Does It Entail?


Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

What does istikhfaf mean? Does it mean taking sins lightly or taking sins lightly without mocking or denying it also kufr? Is kufr iyadh and istikhfaf same? Is taking sins lightly also kufr iyadh?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.

“Istikhfaf refers to having disdain in the heart or expressing it verbally regarding any matters brought forth by our master, Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace). It also involves belittling a ruling from the Sacred Law. Additionally, willingly uttering words that amount to unbelief, even if said in jest and without true belief, is belittling.”

[‘Ala’ al-Din Ibn ‘Abidin, al-Hadiyya al-‘Ala’iyya]

Most Hopeful Verse of the Quran

If one has committed any type of belittling, one should never lose hope. One should just immediately show regret and repent to Allah. Allah (Most High) said, “Say, ˹O Prophet, that Allah says,˺ ‘O My servants who have exceeded the limits against their souls! Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins.1 He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’” [Quran, 39:53]

It is said that this verse is general for all sins; it is the most hopeful verse in the Quran. This is the opinion of Ibn Mas‘ud (Allah be pleased with him).

[Maturidi, Tafsir al-Maturidi (Ta’wilat Ahl al-Sunna); Abu Hafs al-Nasafi, al-Taysir fi al-Tafsir]

Do Not Despair

In times of despair, the Quran offers verses that remind us not to lose hope. Hopelessness is considered a sin, and Allah’s mercy always surpasses our sins. Difficult moments may lead to mistakes, but Allah loves you and is ready to forgive. All you need to do is pray for forgiveness, as exemplified in the concept of ‘Istighfar.’

True salvation comes from seeking forgiveness from the Most Merciful, the Compassionate.

I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. In sha Allah, you will receive guidance and direction.

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I pray this helps with your question.

Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat 

Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.