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Is Takfir only for the scholars?

The issue of takfir, O Ja’far, is not a matter that is restricted to the judge, the mufti, or the followed scholars.

Rather, it is shar’i matter, a hukm shar’i, where the one who has knowledge of it is allowed to go through it,
even if he is from the laymen. And we have previously mentioned that matters [in the din] are divided into
two categories:

1) The clear apparent matters; the people in this category share the same amount of knowledge and
responsibility, and the laymen are allowed to enjoin good and forbid evil, and to rule upon the one who
opposes or denies these matters with what he deserves of labels.

2) The obscure matters; special and problematic issues, detailed ones, in which going through them is
limited to the people of knowledge.

Therefore, it is not permissible for the laymen or the who is like him, even if he is a student [of knowledge],
to go through it, as going through them is restricted to the scholars and those who give fatawa.

As for those clear matters such as the obligation of salah, fasting, zakah, hajj, etc., and the forbiddance of
zina, riba, khamr, and gambling, then the laymen is required to makr takfir of whoever declares it lawful or
denies it.

And success is from Allah.

— By Sh. Hassan Husayn as-Somali (‫)ﺣﻔﻈﻪ اﻟﻠﻪ‬.