What is the legal ruling concerning a *Zindiq* (heretic/dissimulator)?
Chapter on Distant Kindred (Dhawu al-Arham)
Al-Mughni
Book of Inheritance Shares (Farā'id)
Primary text
The legal ruling concerning a *Zindiq* is the same as that for an apostate (*Murtadd*) regarding the matters previously discussed. A *Zindiq* is defined as one who outwardly professes Islam while concealing disbelief (*kufr*), which is the definition of a hypocrite (*Munafiq*). This term was used for hypocrites during the era of the Prophet, peace be upon him, and is termed *Zindiq* in the present day. Imam Ahmad stated that the wealth of the *Zindiq* belongs to the public treasury (*Bayt al-Mal*).