If a non-muslim recites the Shahadah with little or no imaan, will his/her Shahadah be accepted?

Question

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "On the Day of Resurrection, I will intercede and say, 'O my Lord! Admit into Paradise (even) those who have faith equal to a mustard seed in their hearts.'" - Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 9, Hadith 600

"On the Day of Judgment, We shall set up scales of justice so that no one will be dealt with unjustly in any way; even if someone has an act as small as a grain of a mustard seed, We will bring it to account, and sufficient are We to settle the accounts." - The Holy Quran, 21:47

I'm asking this question because according to Quran, Allah knows what's in your heart. So if a man's heart is 90% disbelief and 10% belief and he recites Shahadah based on his 10% of belief, will Allah accept his Shahadah?

For example: Suppose a non-muslim has doubts about Islam and Muhammad's (pbuh) prophethood. He thinks Islam might not be the true religion and Muhammad (pbuh) might not be a prophet. But a small part of him believes that Islam might be the truth. So, he says "I will recite Shahadah just in case Islam is the truth". Will Allah accept his Shahadah?

If the imaan of this non-muslim is equal to a mustard seed, will Allah accept his Shahadah? Will he become a muslim?

Answer 1

All Praise to Allah Subhanahu wa Taala and blessings of Him be on Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him His family and companions,

The example you stated refers to the Hypocrisy "Nifaq" or people as Munafiqun

Of the people there are some who say: "We believe in Allah and the Last Day;" but they do not (really) believe. (Surah Al-Baqara, 8)

When they meet those who believe, they say: "We believe;" but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say: "We are really with you: We (were) only jesting." (Surah Al-Baqara, 14)

That is because they believed, then disbelieved, therefore their hearts are sealed, so they understand not. (Al-Munafiqun 63:3)

Rasulullah peace be upon him has mentioned some signs of such hypocites.

'Abdullah ibn 'Amr narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said, "If anyone has four characteristics, he is a pure hypocrite, and if anyone has one of them, he has an aspect of hypocrisy until he gives it up: whenever he is trusted, he betrays his trust; whenever he speaks, he lies; when he makes an agreement, he breaks it; and when he quarrels, he deviates from the truth by speaking falsely." [al-Bukhari (34) and Muslim (58)]

Now the Hadith you have referred does not comply with your given example and would not be considered under that context because in this hadith here having faith equal to a mustard seed does not necessary mean that along that faith he also has hypocrisy as Faith increases or decreases.

It was narrated that Abu Darda' said: "Faith increases and decreases."(Ibn Majah)

It was narrated that Jundub bin 'Abdullah said:

"We were with the Prophet (ﷺ), and we were strong youths, so we learned faith before we learned Qur'an. Then we learned Qur'an and our faith increased thereby."(Ibn Majah)

Now regarding your last sentence would Allah swt accept the shahadah with small faith so yes Allah swt would accept the Shahadah as faith could increase or decrease and shahadah includes witnessing and also believing on it.

Allah swt and His Messenger knows best.