Tag Archives: back to the scholars

Participation in Non-Muslim Political Systems Based on the Story of Prophet Yoosuf

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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

An important clarification by the great scholar, Shaykh Muhammad Naasir ad-Deen al-Albaanee (may Allah have Mercy on him), on a crucial topic, in light of modern claims by political activists… 

QUESTIONER: In Zubdat at-Tafseer by Shaykh ‘Umar al-Ashqar, in explanation of Soorah Yoosuf, he says there that Yoosuf’s employment (may Allah grant him peace) was under the authority of the king. He uses this as proof in this Tafseer; he says this is among what proves the permissibility of believers working in positions within a non-Muslim government. So what is your comment [about this]?

AL-ALBAANEE: I cannot comment until after I know what is behind this, because I could say: Yes, it is possible, and I could provide an easy example of that. It is possible, as found in our current situation now, when we do not say that none of the Islamic countries are governing by what Allah has sent down, but at least we can say that most of the Islamic countries are not governing by what Allah sent down. Is it not possible then to be a khateeb who admonishes the people and teaches them, meaning: under the rule of a disbeliever?

QUESTIONER: Shaykh, I was actually referring to the Algerian Parliament…

AL-ALBAANEE: I know that, my brother, I know. That is why I provided the example that would be included in [the generality] of those words. However, before that, I said: What is behind these words? I fear, and this is what I think is the case, and Allah knows best, while the brother is among our brothers, and I do not praise anyone, claiming it is his reality with Allah, but I am [still] afraid of what I fear is the case, that he has been influenced by the current [political] atmosphere, as these [political] parties endorse participation in parliament, and so they rely on this Quranic passage that has been cited as a proof in their favor, so they can work in parliament under a disbeliever’s governmental system. Our answer to this is from two angles, as a basic principle, along with an extension from that. In actuality, I had begun with the extension, so we could reflect about what the actual intention was behind those expressions. So I provided an example previously, that it would be possible to be an employee in some kind of position. The example was being a khateeb in one of the masjids, while the ruler is a disbeliever. However, in this position, he does not serve the interests of disbelief, nor does he serve the cross (i.e., Christianity), nor does he serve [the interests of] ruling by other than what Allah sent down. So when the intended goal of this example was this kind of situation, there is no problem [in understanding the issue], right?

Now, we ask the one using this Verse, let us call it the Yoosufic Verse, (“al-Aayah al-Yoosufiyyah”): Could it be understood that Yoosuf (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace), when he made his request to the leader of Egypt, “Give me authority over the stored goods of the land (i.e., the economy); I am protective and knowledgeable,” [1] was he going to rule by the governmental system in place, the one used by the leader of Egypt? Or would he rule by the governmental system from the Lord of all things? He would not be able to answer with anything other than the second answer, is that not so? [2] So now we say: Are those who get involved in parliament able to follow in Yoosuf’s footsteps (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace), in how they govern? “Bring it, bring on what you have been promised!” (i.e., How far off that is!) [3] Thus, this line of argument (i.e., this attempt to use this Verse to prove this) makes something permissible, yet makes us afraid of many things! The least that can be said is that it is now feared that this line of argument would be used against the interests of Islam and the Muslims.

Also, I can say: From the special distinctions of the Messenger (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) is his statement, “I have been given a special distinction over the [other] prophets through five [things]…” and he mentioned among them: “A prophet would be sent to his people specifically, yet I have been sent to all of mankind.” [4] So the legislation of Yoosuf is not legislation for us. And from here we can disprove this line of argument from its root and base, is that clear? It is now over.”

Source: Silsilat al-Hudaa wan-Noor, no.1023 (beginning at 4 minutes into the recording). Translation: Moosaa Richardson (1446.05.05) for Bakkah.net

Resources: Arabic source (MP3) | Translation with Arabic transcript (PDF)

FOOTNOTES: (by the translator)

[1] A translation of the meaning of Soorah Yoosuf [12:55]

[2] Actually, not any more. Sadly, today we actually have political activists that would have us believe that Yoosuf would rule, at least partially, by the disbelieving king’s political system, and he would do some things in violation of Allah’s command as a compromise to stay in his position! Refuge with Allah is sought from deviation, compromising our Religion, false explanation of Allah’s Speech, and baseless slander of one of Allah’s prophets!

[3] Borrowing from the language of Soorah al-Mu’minoon [23:36]

[4] Collected by al-Bukhaaree (no.335) and Muslim (no.521), from the report of Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him).

Keen Scholarly Insight of Shaykh Rabee’ ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee (may Allah preserve him) About the Causes of Differing During Crises and Emergencies

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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

QUESTION: We are here together, and to Allah is all praise, gathered and talking to one another [cordially], without any differing between us. Yet, I see that when some of us return to their lands, they begin differing, even warning against each other. This happens even though they are all Salafees, their reference points are the same, and they all honor the same scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah in this land. So what is your advice to them, may Allah reward you with goodness?

ANSWER: I always advise my brothers and my children among the students of knowledge to stay away from whatever causes differing. This means that sticking to the texts [of revelation] is an absolutely necessary matter; it is a must. Yet, there are ijtihaadaat (attempts to assess and derive rulings on issues) which lead to division. Some ijtihaadaat are beneficial; Allah provides benefit through them to Islam and the Muslims. For this reason, the door of ijtihaad remains open, open to provide benefit to the Ummah, to guide them, to derive rulings from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace. The one who tries to shut the door of ijtihaad is mistaken, and he has no evidence.

However, firstly, no one is to perform ijtihaad other than one suitable for it, one who has equipped himself with the sciences of the Book, the Sunnah, the [Arabic] Language, and other things. This is the one who performs ijtihaad and investigates relative matters when nawaazil (crucial matters in need of important rulings) take place.

As for students of knowledge, one of them tries to understand as much as he can from the textual evidence. However, in current events and crises, no one is to speak other than the elite Continue reading →

Important Advice From Shaykh ‘Arafat al-Muhammadi

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Stated Shaykh ‘Arafat bin Hassan al-Muhammadi (may Allah preserve him), one of the scholars recommended by Shaykh ‘Ubayd al-Jaabiree shortly before his passing (may Allah have Mercy on him):

We eat, drink, sleep, relax, we read and listen, but despite that there is weakness in us, a lack of action, a lack of remembrance, a lack of supererogatory prayer, night prayer, mid-morning prayer, and other than that from the supererogatory acts of worship.

Among us there is a wastage of time, and a creation of problems between us because of spare time – because we have spare time we end up becoming involved in problems and issues, we stir up problems between us. If you were preoccupied with memorisation of the Qur-ān and its recitation, and memorisation of the Sunnah and lessons, you would not have spare time for gossip.

As for the knowledge of appraisal and disparagement then this field has its men from ahlus-Sunnah, and the students are behind their scholars. However, we have begun delving into matters that do not benefit, matters that are actually harmful, that are causes of splitting occurring. If you know that this particular matter – a matter from the affairs of the world, some statement or action – you know it upsets your brother and is a cause of placing your brother into a difficult situation, and discomforting him, then why do you do it! Why do you do it? Why do you engage in it? Stay away from everything that is a cause for splitting and separating, and likewise from that which causes pain to your brother, or is a reason for causing him pain…

Read the full article here: PDF

Translation by: Shaykh Taqweem Aslam Abu Muadh (may Allah reward him well)

Arabic source: MP3

May Allah bless and reward both Shaykh ‘Arafat and the translator. This is beautiful advice, and I ask Allah to allow it to reach our hearts! This entire passage reminds me of the beautiful admonitions we would hear so often from our beloved shaykh, al-‘Allaamah Rabee’ ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee (may Allah preserve him). –Moosaa Richardson

A Simple Guide to Dignified Recovery After Religious Neglect [Shaykh Ibn Baaz]

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An amazing and insightful letter from a great imaam, the mufti and scholar, Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ibn Baaz (may Allah have Mercy on him), to an individual who complained of weakness in faith and expressed remorse over abandoning prayers for a time and other serious forms of religious neglect. His answer is highly beneficial and motivating for all of our brothers and sisters who face similar situations; it addresses and corrects a common misunderstanding – that after abandoning the religion, or falling into severe levels of neglect, the process of returning is embarrassing, or extremely difficult, involving making up many prayers, or maybe even unattainable, assuming that someone cannot return because Allah does not guide the one who has repeatedly fallen into neglect and abandonment of his religion…

From ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ibn ‘Abdillaah ibn Baaz to the respected Mr. [*****] (name removed), may Allah grant him refuge from the devil’s whisperings and give him success in setting aright both his religious and worldly affairs.

To proceed: Your letter reached me, the one in which you explained some things you did and some problems you were facing, fearing their bad consequences. And we did invite you on 1390/7/13 to come visit in person, but that was not easy for you. So at this time we will respond, in shaa’ Allah (if Allah so wills), to the content of your letter:

Firstly, you mentioned that you pray sometimes, and sometimes you do not pray. You become determined to repent sometimes, but then you do not fulfill that. Sometimes, this laxness may have led you into abandonment of all the pillars [of Islam], and you have become determined to genuinely repent and put a complete end to those things, yet will your repentance be accepted [you ask]? Or will you be from those whom Allah has described as: “Verily those who believe, then disbelieve, then believe, then disbelieve, and then are increased in disbelief, Allah does not forgive them,” to the end of that Verse [4:137]? And is it required as part of the repentance that you openly declare your testimony of faith for all to hear? And is it a must to take a bath and pray two units of prayer, etc.?

The answer: Verily, Allah has clarified in His great Book that He, the Exalted One, accepts the repentance of His worshippers no matter how various and numerous their sins are! As Allah, the Lofty, has said [what means]: Continue reading →

Is it Sinful to Discourage People From Taking the Covid-19 Vaccine? [Shaykh Abdullah al-Bukhary]

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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…

The following is a recent question posed to Shaykh Dr. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abdir-Raheem Al-Bukhary (may Allah bless and preserve him) [1]. His insightful answer is yet another example of how our well-known and reliable scholars continue to offer sober and consistent advice during this pandemic about how Muslims are not to delve into these serious and crucial matters of safety and public concern, but rather we are to leave them for the qualified scholars of the Religion responsible for issuing such verdicts. May Allah allow this beneficial answer to reach receptive hearts.

The following is a transcript of the Arabic text of the question and its answer, along with an English translation:

هذا سائل آخر يقول هل يأثم من يُزهِّد في أخذ اللقاح ضد هذا الوباء الكورونا ويشكك فيه؟

QUESTION: Here is another questioner who asks: “Is a person sinful for discouraging [people] from taking the vaccine against this disease, Corona[virus], and for casting doubt on it?”

ANSWER by Shaykh Dr. Abdullah ibn ‘Abdir-Raheem al-Bukhary (may Allah preserve him):

هذه القضية خاض فيها كثيرون، والخائضون في هذا كثير، هذه المسألة بارك الله فيكم لها شِقَّان، لها شِقَّان: شِقٌ شرعيٌ، شِقٌ شرعي متعلق من الناحية الشرعية، وشقٌ طبي أو صحي متعلق من النواحي الطبية.

This is an issue that many people have spoken about. Those who have spoken about it are many. This issue, may Allah bless you, has two sides. It has two sides: one side relative to Islamic rulings, and the other side is Continue reading →