Re: Are They Muslims?
Folks:
I think this topic needs to be divided into those acts which are punishable/forgiveable by only Allah SWT and then, those which Allah SWT has given the authroity to humans to judge based upon evidence.
The way I have seen it in many many cases usually crimes that hurt humans directly are judged by humans or have been given authority to do so provided we stay within the confines of the proper limits and judge dispassionately based on evidence not whims and bias.
Throughout this thread the central theme seems to be revolving around SHIRK and PIMPS/KILLERS and there status in Islamic jurisprudence.
SHIRK has many forms however it is the one that has to do with worshipping or associating partners in Allah SWT power and glory that is to be judged by Allah SWT and not us, why do I think that way, because it would be a crime against Allah SWT and not a human. Other forms of shirk, which hurt human beings need to be reformed through either judicial systems (punitive actions) or rehabilatation (preaching, teaching, examples).
PIMPING or KILLING is a direct crime against humanity and to deal with such things so that the fabric of a human and muslim community is not destroyed, certain limits are in place and excercised to pass judgement on such people when evidence is established. Of course I would say these punitive actions do not have to be the same for all but may vary in severity based on the severity of the crime.