Question:
There is a group that calls themselves “Quranists,” and they only accept the Quran. Is a ruling of ‘disbelief’ (kufr) passed upon them?
Answer:
Yes, there is no doubt about their disbelief. This is because they are liars in their claim that ‘we only act according to the Quran.’
The Quran itself commands us to follow the Messenger, peace and be upon him, and following the Messenger includes acting upon his Sunnah. For Allah the Majestic and Exalted says: “And obey Allah and the Messenger (Muhammad ﷺ) that you may obtain mercy.” [Aal ‘Imran: 132].
And He, Exalted be He, says: “If you obey him, you shall be on the right guidance.” [An-Nur: 54].
And He, Exalted be He, says: “Obey Allah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad ﷺ)” [An-Nisa: 59].
And He, Exalted be He, says: “And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad ﷺ) gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it).” [Al-Hashr: 7].
Furthermore, the Quran contains general matters that are not explained except by the Messenger, peace be upon him, in his Sunnah—such as prayer (Salah). Allah the Majestic and Exalted mentioned prayer in the Quran and urged its performance. But did the Quran clarify for us ‘the number of units’ (rak’ahs) for Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha, and Fajr? Did the Quran clarify this for us?
This is clarified in the Sunnah of the Messenger, peace be upon him, based on his saying: “Pray as you have seen me praying” 1
Likewise, Zakat is mentioned in the Quran with the command to give it. But did the Quran specify the threshold of Zakat, the exact amount to be taken, and the specific types of wealth subject to Zakat? The Messenger, peace be upon him, clarified all of this.
Thus, the Sunnah explains the Quran; whoever does not act upon the Sunnah is not truly acting upon the Quran.
Moreover, there are matters that were not mentioned in the Quran, which the Prophet, peace be upon him, brought and commanded, such as his prohibition against combining a woman with her maternal aunt, or a woman with her paternal aunt in marriage. This is not mentioned in the Quran, yet the Messenger, peace be upon him, added in the Sunnah the prohibition of combining a woman with her paternal aunt and her maternal aunt. We are obligated to act upon the Sunnah just as we act upon the Quran: “And whatever the Messenger has given you, take it; and whatever he has forbidden you, refrain from it.”
As for these people—meaning the Quranists—the Prophet, peace be upon him, who does not speak out of desire, alluded to them by saying: “Soon there will be a man reclining on his couch, who, when a narration from me is communicated to him, will say: “Between us and you is the Book of Allah; whatever it makes lawful we deem lawful, and whatever it makes unlawful we deem unlawful…“ Then the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “Verily, I have been given the Quran and something like it with it.” 2
So, the Prophet, peace be upon him, informed us about these people and warned us against them.