Although one of his statements equates to Major Shirk, Andrew Tate is a new Muslim; therefore, any mistakes he commits ought to be corrected privately..

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful The Bestower of Mercy.

Although one of his statements equates to Major Shirk, Andrew Tate is a new Muslim; therefore, any mistakes he commits ought to be corrected privately, in contrast to those of individuals who have been Muslims for a long time

Abee Waqid Al-Laythee, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “We went out with Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, to the campaign to Hunayn, while we were new converts from disbelief to (Islam). The idol worshippers had a lote tree in (whose vicinity) they used to stay and hang their weapons, and it (i.e. this lote tree) was called Dhaat Anwaat. So when we went past a tree, we said, ‘O Allah’s Messenger! Set up a Dhat Anwat for us just as they have a Dhaat Anwaat’. So Allah’s Messenger said, ‘Allah is the Greatest! This is a path that has proceeded (from the people of the past). By Allah in whose Hand my soul is! You have stated just as the children of Israel stated to Musa, ‘O Musa! Make for us an ilaahan (a god) as they have Aalihah (gods)’. He [Musa] said, ‘Verily, you are a people who know not (the Majesty and Greatness of Allah and what is obligated to you i.e. to worship none but Allah Alone, the One and the Only true God of the entire existence)'”. [Sahih at-Tirmidhi 2180]

Shaikh Abdullah Bin Abdur Rahman Abaa Batayn, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

They (those new Muslims) did not perceive that their statement equated to the deification of others besides Allah, which contradicts the declaration, “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah.” They affirmed that only Allah is deserving of worship and understood its significance, as they were Arabs. However, the implication of the phrase “Set up for us a Dhaat Anwaat” was obscured to them due to their recent conversion to Islam. Consequently, the Prophet remarked, “Allahu Akbar! This is a path that has been taken by those before you. By Allah, in whose Hand my soul is! You have stated just as the Children of Israel said to Musa ‘O Musa! Make for us a deity as they have deities!’ Musa responded, ‘Indeed, you are a people who know not (Allah’s Majesty and Greatness and what is obligated to you, i.e. to worship none but Him, the One and Only true God of the entire existence).’ You will follow the way of who preceded you.” If it is said, “The Prophet did not declare those new Muslims as being outside the fold of Islam”. So, we say, “This shows that an individual who makes a statement that is tantamount to disbelief or out of being ignorant of its meaning should be notified and made aware of the true meaning, and thus has not disbelieved. However, there is no doubt that if they were to regard the Dhaat Anwaat as an object of worship alongside Allah, especially after the Prophet’s disapproval, they would indeed be considered disbelievers. [1]

Shaikh Salih Aala Ash-Shaikh, may Allah preserve him, said: Those (new Muslims) expressed a desire to engage in that act of worship at a specific location to seek blessings. In response, Allah’s Messenger referred to what they sought after as worshiping another deity alongside Allah. This act they were pursuing was a potential avenue to Shirk; however, once the Messenger elucidated the matter for them, they repented and committed themselves to obedience. [2]

Shaikh Khalid Adh-Dhafiri, may Allah preserve him, stated: Ahlus Sunnah comes together based on the truth rather than merely amassing followers. The term “Tajmee” refers to the act of increasing numbers within a group or party, while “Ijtimaa” signifies unity grounded in truth, emphasising adherence to and commitment to that truth. This serves as a refutation of groups such as Ikhwan al-Muslimeen, who have their “golden principle” that “We unite on what we agree upon and excuse each other for our disagreements.” But Shaykh Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy upon him, called this principle of theirs a “Wooden principle” because, for them, the primary objective is to gather numbers. So, how is the “principle of uniting upon truth and not numbers” illustrated in this hadith? The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was en route to a military campaign; do you need numbers for a military expedition or not? However, the Prophet prioritised unity based on truth and what is pleasing to Allah. We can see that the adherents to innovation in religious matters and those driven by desires clearly oppose this principle. [3]

The evidence presented above sufficiently demonstrates that the Prophet publicly admonished the new Muslims when they made a statement that is tantamount to major Shirk. It is important to note that no Salafi scholar has labeled Andrew Tate as a disbeliever based on his statements, as the authority to make such determinations rests with the Salafi scholars. For further understanding, one should refer to the Principles of Takfeer, which outline the criteria scholars use before declaring a Muslim to be outside the fold of Islam.

http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?secID=MNJ&subsecID=MNJ09&loadpage=displaysubsection.cfm

May Allah guide Andrew’s heart to repentance Aameen.

[1] Al-Intisaar Li-Hizbil Allaahi Al-Muwahhideen 13-14. Maktabah Ibn al-Jawzee 1305AH]
[2] An Excerpt from ‘Al-Min’dhaar Fee Bayaani Katheer Minal Akhtaa Ash-Shaa’i’ah page 11
[3] Extracted from a Lesson of the Shaikh by our brother Abu Aa’isha Amjad Khan, may Allah preserve him.