Dahri (the naturalist who holds that time is eternal)

As a term the Dahriyya are a group of disbelievers who held that time is eternal and attributed events to it, denying the existence of a Creator who chooses, and denying the Hereafter, resurrection and recompense. ¹ The Qur'an reports the view of this group in the surah of al-Jathiya; al-Razi explains that they attributed life and death to the influence of natures, with no need for a chosen agent. ¹

Most jurists define the zindiq as one who conceals disbelief and shows Islam; some say he is one who follows no religion. ¹ The mulhid attacks religion while claiming Islam, or interprets its necessities to suit his desires. ¹ The hypocrite (munafiq) hides disbelief in his heart and shows Islam in speech. ¹ The apostate (murtadd) turns back from Islam by uttering a word of disbelief or doing an act that implies it, after believing. ² All of these share disbelief with the Dahri. ²

An original disbeliever of this kind, who never embraced Islam, is a harbi if he lives in the abode of war, a musta'min if he lives in the abode of Islam under a temporary safe-conduct, and a dhimmi if he lives there under a lasting contract of protection; each has its own entry. ² A Muslim who then declares the eternity of time and denies that events are attributed to the chosen Creator is an apostate, and his ruling is treated under apostasy. ²