Most of us belong to a faith, whether Divine or man made. Yet whatever we believe in or "pledged" to believe forms the basis of the direction of our lives. However, despite clinging to a particular faith, we find many around us disregarding the basic tenets of their belief and living a life grossly tangent to what they have pledged for.
We find many such so called believers in Islam too. Let us find out what these are called in Islam in the light of Qur'an and what are the consequences of believing in them.
In the Islamic context, "Fasiq" is a person who:
- Deliberately Disobeys Allah’s Commands: Engages in sinful acts despite knowing they are wrong.
- Persists in Sin: Continues sinful behavior without repentance.
- Rejects Good Conduct: Disregards the moral and ethical guidelines of Islam.
The term "Fasq" (فِسْق) in Islamic terminology refers to immoral conduct, disobedience, or sinful behavior that goes against the commands of Allah. It describes someone who knowingly and persistently engages in actions that are forbidden in Islam, thereby deviating from the path of righteousness. The word "Fasq" comes from the Arabic root word ف-س-ق (F-S-Q), which means to "break away" or "deviate." Linguistically, it refers to the act of breaking away from what is right and just.
Thus, the term Fasiq (Arabic: فاسق fāsiq) refers to someone who violates Islamic law. As a fasiq is considered unreliable, his testimony is not accepted in Islamic courts. The terms fasiq and fisq are sometime rendered as "impious", "venial sinner", or "depraved".
Let us see who are these people who are called Fasiq (plural Fasiqun) as mentioned in Qur'an:
- The 47th verse of Surah Al-Ma'idah explains:
وَلۡيَحۡكُمۡ اَهۡلُ الۡاِنۡجِيۡلِ بِمَاۤ اَنۡزَلَ اللّٰهُ فِيۡهِؕ وَمَنۡ لَّمۡ يَحۡكُمۡ بِمَاۤ اَنۡزَلَ اللّٰهُ فَاُولٰٓـئِكَ هُمُ الۡفٰسِقُوۡنَ
(5:47) Let the followers of the Gospel judge by what Allah has revealed therein, and those who do not judge by what Allah has revealed are the transgressors.(Fasiqun)."
This verse highlights that those who do not follow Allah’s laws and commands are considered Fasiqun (defiantly disobedient).
- In the 10th verse of (Surah 64 At-Taghabun, it is said:
وَالَّذِيۡنَ كَفَرُوۡا وَكَذَّبُوۡا بِاٰيٰتِنَاۤ اُولٰٓـئِكَ اَصۡحٰبُ النَّارِ خٰلِدِيۡنَ فِيۡهَا ؕ وَبِئۡسَ الۡمَصِيۡرُ
(64:10) As for those who disbelieved and the lie to Our Signs: they shall be the inmates of the Fire, and will abide in it. That is a woeful resort!
These words by themselves make manifest the meaning of unbelief (kufr). Unbelief is nothing but denying the verses of Allah’s Book to be divine revelation, rejecting the truth expressed therein and refusing to follow and obey the commandments given in them.
- In the 6th verse of Surah 49. Al-Hujurat, a Fasiq is termed as an ungodly / unreliable person:
يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اِنۡ جَآءَكُمۡ فَاسِقٌ ۢ بِنَبَاٍ فَتَبَيَّنُوۡۤا اَنۡ تُصِيۡبُوۡا قَوۡمًا ۢ بِجَهَالَةٍ فَتُصۡبِحُوۡا عَلٰى مَا فَعَلۡتُمۡ نٰدِمِيۡنَ (49:6) Believers, when an ungodly person brings to you a piece of news, carefully ascertain its truth, lest you should hurt a people unwittingly and thereafter repent at what you did.
The word "fasiq" (فَاسِقٌ) in this verse refers to a person who is characterized by sinful, disobedient, or rebellious behavior against the commands of Allah. In the context of this verse, it particularly refers to someone whose integrity is questionable—someone who is prone to lying, spreading false information, or engaging in actions that go against the moral and ethical teachings of Islam.
The verse addresses the believers, instructing them to be cautious when receiving news, particularly from those who are known to be fasiq. The background of this verse is tied to an incident during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), involving a man named Al-Walid ibn ‘Uqbah, who was sent to collect Zakat from a tribe. He mistakenly reported that the tribe had refused to pay and were preparing to fight, which was false information that could have led to severe consequences if acted upon without verification.
The Qur'an, thus, associates fasq with severe consequences, including divine punishment for those who persist in disobedience.
The jurist Wasil ibn Ata (700–748 CE) was of the opinion that a fasiq remained a member of Muslim society, so retained rights to life and property though he could not hold a religious position. However, some others differed and considered a fasiq to be a munafiq (hypocrite), while some went to extreme limit of labelling the fasiq as a kafir. However the difference between a Fasiq and Munafiq must be clearly understood: Fasiq is by default a Muslim with all the crimes but munafiq (Hypocrite) is not. Not only munafiq is not Muslim but a danger, an evil in disguise.
Key Characteristics of a Fasiq:
- Deliberate Sinning: Engaging in actions known to be sinful, like lying, cheating, or neglecting religious obligations.
- Defiance of Allah’s Laws: Ignoring the guidance provided by the Qur'an and Sunnah.
- Persisting in Sin: Refusing to repent or correct one’s ways after committing wrongful acts.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Cursing a believer is like killing him, and accusing a believer of Kufr (disbelief) is like killing him, and anyone who calls his brother a Fasiq, it will return upon one of them." This Hadith warns against labeling others as Fasiq without just cause, showing the gravity of the term and the seriousness of being considered disobedient in Islam.
Fasq, thus, represents a serious spiritual and moral state of rebellion against Allah’s commands. It serves as a warning in Islamic teachings, urging believers to stay steadfast in their faith, avoid sin, and continually seek repentance to maintain their righteousness and closeness to Allah.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
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