Definition Of Muslim
It’s not our domain to categorize people as kafirs. If someone calls himself a Muslim but in our understanding has certain misconceptions, our job is to guide him with empathy so that they might understand their error. Similarly we should listen to their argument with an open mind and reevaluate our own beliefs if they provide us with any valid evidence. Hopefully the following video will help: https://youtu.be/EGc_btic-zw
Your original question was not in the context of children, however, depending upon the age of a child you can share appropriate information. The same child could ask about the difference in Shia and Sunni. How will you address that? We have to teach our children that such and such Muslims hold some different beliefs from us.
My dear brother, I have done my best to respond to ‘your question’. I don’t have any other purpose or agenda. Your initial question assumes that without belief in finality of prophethood someone can’t claim to be a Muslim. Your second response reasserts that claim. In your third response you provide arguments and in the last paragraph you even provide your own definition of Muslim categorically denying those who do not believe in the finality of prophethood. In my responses I have only tried to clarify your misconception and have provided you with references from the Quran. If I wasn’t unable to respond to your question, instead of getting irritated or emotional about it, you can think about rephrasing your question. The better your question can be framed, the more precise of an answer you can get. If I can’t understand your question and as you stated Ahmad didn’t understand your question either, then there might be something lacking in the clarity of your question itself. I suggest that you come up with an objective purpose that an elaborate definition of Muslim shall serve. In my mind neither is there any such purpose, nor is it possible to define a Muslim beyond the definition provided by Quran 9:11 because of varying beliefs in just about everything among the Muslim community. If you only research the matter of finality of prophethood, you will find that even Sufis and Shias believe that Sheikhs and Imams get revelations. There are multiple understandings of the concept of tawheed, the concept of God, the concept of aakhira – you name it! Even if we come up with a definition, it won’t serve any purpose.
Mr. Faisal, have u ever listen about identity theft, its a crime, and no one allowed to do so. What will you do or will you allow me if I stole your identity (your name, father name, entire life history) and use it for myself for any purpose legal/illegal? I m sure your reply will be NO and you will agree that identity theft is illegal. If it’s true for an individual then how can you allow someone to stole the identity of an entire nation/ummah? how you allow someone to make False claims upon your faith and believes. You cannot take a stand over it without consensus even it is to allow someone to use your name or religion, you may need to consult with your family, relatives before that. then Mr. Faisal, how you are allowing someone to steal your faith and present it with modifications even you not believe correct? even though I m standing against it as its matter to me if you still generous one any many others. It’s not the matter to say anyone Kafir or Non-Muslim but it’s to protect my own identity and segregate my faith and believes for not only me but for coming generations and as being ordinary Muslim to protect what is correct and right. if we leave taking care of what is correct and right then how will someone find the correct path? I m fully agree with what Ghamdi sb is saying that we have no authority to call someone Kafir or Non-Muslim or even call a Kafir a Kafir but isn’t our right to stop someone to use our name when they have a different approach or understanding. Why not they called themselves Qadyani or anyone else. Do by calling other than Muslim they will lose their right of living or right of preaching their religion, why they want to keep hiding in the identity of others who have a different approach and are in majority. I raised the question to remove this confusion and gray area if any exists so that many of those who not well aware of True Islam and have little knowledge of Islam cannot deviate from the true path. Not everyone has an approach to some reliable source to consult for correction. I have seen many newly Muslims that because of little knowledge of Islam and not consulting Experts in religion lost their paths and earn bad name to Muslims and Islam Like a Patient having a painful tooth require to go to a Dentist instead of a Heart Specialist likewise for a query related to Iman or Faith, one should consult an Expert, a Scholar like Ghamdi sb and that is what I m trying to do. A Knife can be used to cut fruit and can also be used to kill someone. the blame is not on the knife but the one who is using it and because of this we cannot stop using knives likewise a definition of a Muslim will create clarity of faith for many and helpful in protecting the identity of a Muslim and it should not be opposed if someone uses it wrongfully. it’s very difficult to reach the knowledge Ghamdi sb have and confer someone on their misbelieves but defining a definition of a Muslim with Ijtihad (consensus) makes like of a common/ordinary Muslim like me easier. Further, there is no need to invent something new, the definition is already explained in Imanyat, it just needs to be restructured in simple and easy words. I hope I have cleared myself more… Lastly, there is a difference in Iman and Aqeeda (Creed) you have to listen to Ghamdi sb lecture to get it more clear about it what I have questioned is not about creed it’s about Iman of a Muslim (May Allah guide Us all Amen)