Q: What is meant by performing tawaqquf in aqaaid (belief)? This is referred to as kufr in the book Fiqh al akbar.
A: In Fiqhul Akbar of Hazrat Imam Abu Hanifa (rahmatullahi alayh) it is mentioned that one who doubts his iemaan is not a mu’min (believer). In other words, when one is asked: ‘are you a mu’min?’, he replies” ‘ I don’t know’ or ‘I am not sure’ then this statement constitutes kufr.
Tawaqquf means to be non-committal or hesitant to do something. If one is hesitant and non-committal about iemaan, then it means one has expressed doubt in iemaan, and that leads to kufr or disbelief. A Believer must be sure of his iemaan.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Mufti Siraj Desai