Originally Posted by hmkashif

Difference between Munafiq, Murtad, Zindeeq, etc.

MUNAAFIQ: One who verbally claims to be a Muslim, but in his heart is not so, is termed a Munaafiq.

MURTAD: A Muslim who renounces Islaam is termed a murtad.

MUSHRIK: One who subscribes to or believes in more than one Divine Being is termed a mushrik. One who associates another as a partner with Allah is also termed a mushrik.

KITAABI: One who follows a previously revealed, divine religion which Islaam has abrogated, is termed a kitaabi, e.g. Jews and Christians.

DAHRIYYAH: One who believes in the eternity of time and ascribes creation to time is termed dahriyyah.

MUATTIL: One who denies the existence of the Creator is termed a Muattil.

ZINDEEQ: A Zindeeq is a person who acknowledges the Nubuwwat of Rasoolullah (SAW) and proclaims the Shiaar (salient features, e.g. Salaat, Hajj) or Islaam, but at the same time adheres to beliefs which are unanimously branded as kufr in the Shari’ah.

According to this definition the term zindeeq will apply to all persons who proclaim themselves to be Muslims while at the same time subscribing to kufr beliefs. The majority of baatil sects fall in this category of kufr.