Chapter Five: Distinguishing Between Rejecting a Religious Text and Misinterpreting It My dear brother, know that the issue of distinguishing between rejecting a religious text and misinterpreting it must be clarified in accordance with Islamic law. Otherwise, you will fall into the trap of deeming Muslims infidels without religious proof. This is because extremists do not differentiate between the two; they deem everyone an infidel who misinterprets a religious text, claiming that this is a rejection of the religious text and a refusal of it, which is disbelief. If they had known the difference between rejecting a religious text and misinterpreting it, they would not have gone astray in this matter and innovated in the religion of Allah.

Rejecting a religious text is the lack of contentment and acceptance of the religious text, denying it and refusing it, despite being certain of its authenticity and that it is from divine revelation. It is clear from this definition that the rejection of the religious text was not due to its lack of authenticity for the one who rejected it, but rather the rejection was due to a lack of acceptance and contentment with it. This is disbelief because it is a denial of what Allah has revealed and a rejection of His law. Allah Almighty says: "And [Allah] will not give the believers the means to [defeat] them." (Surah Al-Ankabut: 40).

As for misinterpreting a text, it is to divert the text from its apparent meaning to another meaning, with a motive for interpretation, without proof, while being content and accepting of it. It is clear from this definition that misinterpretation does not involve denial or rejection of the religious text, but rather the corruption lies in understanding the intended meaning of this text.