Assalamualaikum Mufti

Question: Is committing sin and not having fear of Allah but having fear of people considered to be shirk or kufr ? Kindly answer all 3 different scenarios

If we commit sins like listening music, giving bribe or consuming riba secretly when we don’t have people watching us because we fear for our reputation will it be considered shirk or kufr?
If we commit all such sins due to our weakness for money or for our love of listening to music yet we know that it is wrong because shariah does not permit these sins will it be considered shirk or kufr because we are following our desires.
If we stop consuming riba because government disallows it not because Allah has forbidden it will be considered shirk or kufr?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam,

In short, all your three questions relating to Shirk or Kufr, is that it will not be shirk or kufr until one’s belief is such that a person considers haram as halal and vice versa. If a person believes that all such acts are sinful yet they commit it out of the trap of Shaytan or for any other reason still he will not be considered committing Shirk or Kufr as long as he considers that act haram. However, these acts will definitely be considered as sinful no doubt.    

We have previously answered similar question, please see the link https://www.diftalon.com/the-muslims-who-dont-offer-salah/ 

Jazakallahu Khairan