The Nullifiers of Islam
Al-Imam al-Mujaddid Muhammad bin ‘Abd al-Wahhab
Translation and notes by Shaykh Abu ‘Iyaad Amjad bin Muhammad Rafiq
Version 1.0, Dhul-Qi’dah 1446 / May 2025
1st Print Edition
Distributed by:
Salafi Bookstore & Islamic Centre
The Text of the Nullifiers of Islām (in the English language)
In the Name of Allāh, the Most-Merciful (to His creation), the Ever-Merciful (to His Believing Servants),
Shaykh al-Islām Muhammad bin ‘Abd al-Wahhāb (رَحِمَهُ ٱللَّٰهُ) said:
Know that the nullifiers of Islām are ten nullifiers:
THE FIRST NULLIFIER
[Shirk in Allāh’s Worship]
The first: Associationism (shirk) in the worship of Allāh alone, who has no partners.
The exalted said: “Verily, Allāh does not forgive that (others) are associated with Him (in His worship), but He forgives what is less than that to whomever He wills.” [4:48]
And He said: “Verily, whoever associates (others) with Allah (in His worship, then Allāh has prohibited Paradise for him, and his abode is Hellfire, and for the wrongdoers, there is no helpers.” [5:72]
From such (worship) is slaughter (dhabh) for other than Allāh, such as the one that slaughters for the Jinn, or for (the inhabitant) of the grave.
THE SECOND NULLIFIER
[Taking intermediaries for Invocation and Intercession]
The second: Whoever takes intermediaries between himself and Allāh – invoking them, asking them for intercession and placing trust in them – has disbelieved by consensus.
THE THIRD NULLIFIER
[Not Declaring the Polytheists to be Disbelievers]
The third: Whoever does not declare the polytheists to be disbelievers, doubts in their disbelief, or legitimizes their way, has disbelieved.
THE FOURTH NULLIFIER
[Believing that another guidance is superior to that of the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alaihi wassallam)]
The fourth: Whoever believes that other than the guidance of the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alaihi wassallam) is more perfect than his guidance, or that the judgement of another is better than his judgement – such as those who prefer the judgement of the false deities (tawaghit) over his judgement – is a disbeliever.
THE FIFTH NULLIFIER
[Hating Anything Which the Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alaihi wassallam) Brought]
The fifth: Whoever hates anything which the Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alaihi wassallam) came with, even if he acted upon it, has disbelieved.
In some versions there is an additional: Due to his saying, be He exalted:
“That is because they hated what Allāh revealed, so He made vain their deeds.” [47:9]
THE SIXTH NULLIFIER
[Mocking Anything From the Religion of the Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alaihi wassallam)]
The sixth: Whoever mocks anything from Allāh’s religion, or its reward or punishment has disbelieved. The evidence is His saying, be He Exalted: “And if you were to ask them, they will say: ‘We were only talking and playing’, Say: ‘Is it Allāh His Signs (Ayat) and His Messenger that you were mocking? Make no excuse, for you have disbelieved after your belief…” [:65-66]
THE SEVENTH NULLIFIER
[Magic (Witchcraft)]
The seventh: Magic, and from it is al-Sarf (turning a woman away from her husband, or a husband from his wife) and al-‘Atf (making a woman beautified and beloved to a man or a man beautified and beloved to a woman, in order to join them in union). Whoever practises it, or is pleased with it, has disbelived. The evidence is His saying, be He Exalted: “And they (the two angels) did not teach anyone until they said: ‘We are trial, so do not disbelieve (by learning this magic)…” [2:102]
THE EIGHT NULLIFIER
[Supporting and Aiding the Polytheists Against Muslims]
The eight: Supporting the polytheists and aiding them against the Muslims, and the evidence is His saying, be He Exalted: “And whoever allies with them among you, then he is (one) of them. Verily, Allāh does not guide the wrongdoing people.” [5:51]
THE NINTH NULLIFIER
[Believing it is Permitted for Some to Leave the Shari’ah of Muhammad (sallAllaahu ‘alaihi wassallam)]
The ninth: Whoever believes that some people are permitted to leave the Shari’ah of Muhammad (sallAllaahu ‘alaihi wassallam), as al-Khadir was permitted to leave the Shari’ah of Musā عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ then he is a disbeliever.
THE TENTH NULLIFIER
[Turning Away from Allāh’s Religion]
The tenth: Turning away from Allāh’s religion, not learning it and not acting upon it, and the evidence is His saying, be He Exalted: “And who is more unjust than one who is reminded of the Signs (Ayat) of his Lord, then he turns away from them? Verily, We shall take retribution from the criminals.” [32:22]
[Closing Speech]
There is no difference with respect to these nullifiers, whether one did them in jest, or intentionally, or out of fear – except the one who is compelled (The difference between the one who fears and the one who is compelled is that the latter has on choice. Either he does the nullifying act, or he will be severely harmed or killed, there and then. So he does it while his heart is firm and secure upon faith).
All of these (nullifiers) comprise the greatest danger, and are the most commonly occurring. Thus, it is desirable for a Muslim to beware of them and fear them for himself.
We seek refuge in Allāh from the things which necessitate His anger and the pain of His torment.
And may Allāh send blessings and peace upon the best of His creation, Muhammad, his Family and his Companions.
The weekly lessons were between the years 2017-2018 with 16 lessons in total recorded at the time and available here:
https://islamtees.uk/audio/aqeedah/#nawaaqid
or via a Soundcloud playlist:
https://soundcloud.com/islamtees/sets/explanation-of-nawaaqid-al-islaam
IMPORTANT POINT 1: Regarding the Nullifiers and their number, the book has an explanation and clarification, see pages 11-12. To summarise, Shaykh Muhammad bin ‘Abd al-Wahhab (rahimahullah) restricted it to ten matters whereas within the Hanafi madhab, its jurists mentioned hundreds of nullifiers, so they in fact exaggerated in the arena of takfir (takfir is to pronounce a Muslim to be a non-Muslim by judging him to have left Islam on account of a belief, statement or deed that he brought. It is a dangerous matter and requires knowledge and caution).
IMPORTANT POINT 2: Some people have misinterpreted and misunderstood this work of Shaykul-Islam Muhammad ibn ‘Abdil-Wahhab (rahimahullah) due to their ignorance and not seeking the explanations of scholars grounded in Tawheed, Sunnah, Shariah, knowledge and insight. These ignoramuses (often young and hasty) make mass takfir (excommunication of Muslims) based upon their own faulty understanding. Refer to tafaseel of ulemaa (those with much greater knowledge and insight) regarding this serious matter which is not to be taken lightly.
A person who falls into any of these, may be ignorant so the proof needs to be established upon them, affirmation of the [fulfilment] of the conditions and absence of any barriers (preventing takfir) investigated and established.
Also refer to this book which rebuts the slanders and accusations hurled against Shaykul-Islam Muhammad ibn ‘Abdil-Wahhab (rahimahullah):
