Is It Disbelief to Commit a Sin While Knowing That Allah Is Watching?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question: Assalamu alaykum

If you sin knowing that Allah is watching you at the very instant you are sinning what punishment does that entail? Are you considered a kafir at that moment?

Answer:  Walaikum assalam,

I hope you’re doing well, insha’Allah.

This is not kufr. It is sinful, and a sign of weakness of faith.

Address this with:
(a) sincere repentance and (b) commiting the actively remembering Allah.

See: Reader on Repentance (tawba)

Strive to follow the Prophetic sunna to, “Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah.” [Tirmidhi] In your walking, work, and rest. Engage your tongue, heart, and mind with the remembrance of Allah.

One way is to repeat the the “lasting good deeds” the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) recommended: Subhana’l Llah; Alhamdu li’l Llah; la ilaha illa’l Llah; and Allahu Akbar. These can be recited in order or individually. Stay constant on them, and you’ll find peace of heart and increasing presence with Allah.

And Allah alone gives success.

[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a scholar and researcher of Islamic law and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance Global After ten years overseas, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in the Summer of 2007. In May 2008 he founded SeekersGuidance Global to deal with the urgent need to spread Islamic knowledge—both online and on the ground—in a reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible manner. He has been repeatedly listed as one of the world’s 500 most influential Muslims (The Muslim500).