Does Boasting About Sin or Saying Alhamdulillah for Haram Lead to Disbelief?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
Does repeatedly committing a sin while boasting about it, despite believing it to be haram, lead to disbelief?
Does saying “Alhamdulillah” for something haram while acknowledging it as sinful result in disbelief?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
No, repeatedly committing a sin while boasting about it, despite believing it to be haram, does not in itself constitute disbelief (kufr). However, boasting about sin is a serious matter and can lead to a hardened heart and spiritual harm. A believer should repent sincerely and avoid normalizing sin.
Similarly, saying Alhamdulillah for something haram while acknowledging it as sinful does not result in disbelief. However, it is inappropriate and disrespectful, as Alhamdulillah expresses gratitude to Allah (Most High) for His blessings. If such a statement is made, one should repent and be mindful of one’s words.
Allah warns,
“If you question them, they will certainly say, ‘We were only talking idly and joking around.’ Say, ‘Was it Allah, His revelations, and His Messenger that you ridiculed?’ [Quran, 9:65]
In both cases, belief in the prohibition remains intact, and repentance is required. However, if a person denies the sinfulness of what is clearly haram or justifies it as permissible, this could lead to disbelief.
And Allah knows best.
I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Mohammad Abu Bakr Badhib
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.
