----- Original Message ----- From: Mohammad Usman To: Mohammad Usman Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 6:03 AM Subject: What does Islam say about obeying our governments? (Answered By: Adil Salahi, Jeddah-Saudi Arabia)
Obeying Governments
Adil Salahi | Arab News
Q1. Could you please explain the Hadith that says "were it not for the
Children of Israel, meat would not have rotten, and were it not for Eve, no
woman would have betrayed her husband?" (Z. Abu Bakr)
A1. This statement contradicts basic Islamic principles. The first is
that "no one will bear the burden of another." This is stated four times in the
Qur'an, stressing the principle of individual responsibility.
How can we imagine that the action of one woman, in this case Eve, would
be carried down the generations so as to influence every woman who betrays her
husband? How come that it does not influence other women? Another principle the
statement contradicts is that of the operation of the laws of nature. Meat goes
rotten when exposed to the elements for a long period. This is how God wanted
things to be. To suggest that this took place in consequence of some action the
Jews did at one point in time means that prior to their action, meat stayed
fresh all the time, which is untrue.
It also suggests that as a result of their action, all future generations
had to suffer. This is totally wrong.
Q2. What does Islam say about obeying our governments? Is this applicable
only in Muslim countries, or does it apply to Muslims living as minorities in
predominantly non-Muslim countries? (Name and address withheld)
[ This means that this hadith can not be acted upon , it is weak or
fabricated]
A2. The Prophet says: "Listen and obey, even though your ruler is a black
slave whose head looks like a ball." By giving this graphic description, the
Prophet means to ensure that his order applies to rulers, regardless of the
origin or the color or looks of the said ruler. As long as the ruler is chosen
by fair means, and is ruling according to the authority assigned to him by
Islamic law, then he should be obeyed.
Two major principles apply in this context. The first is that the
particular order issued by the ruler must not be in conflict with Islamic law.
The Prophet clearly states: "No creature may be obeyed in what
constitutes disobedience of the Creator." Thus, if any authority, be it a
Parliament, a government, a judge or an employer, issues an edict requiring
those under its jurisdiction to do something forbidden in Islam, a Muslim must
not obey that edict. If he does, he leaves himself accountable to God for it,
with all that such accountability may involve including any punishment God may
inflict on him. Some years ago, a ruler in a Muslim country decreed that people
should not fast in Ramadan, because the country needed everyone to put their
maximum effort to increase productivity.
Anyone who obeyed that ruler would be accountable to God for placing the
ruler's order above that of God.
The other principle is that the government must aim to achieve the common
good of the community in all its orders.
This means that when a government issues an order, aiming to serve the
common interests of the people, and contravening no Islamic rule, the order
must be obeyed by Muslims. Thus, when the municipal authorities decide that a
certain street is one way, driving in the opposite direction does not only
constitute an offense of traffic regulations, it also constitutes an offense
against Islamic law. This is because such an order is meant to serve the
community, and it does not contravene any principle of Islamic law.
With Kind Regards
Mohammad Usman
Jeddah-SAUDI ARABIA
The sayings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) 'Acquiring
(religious) knowledge in company for an hour in the night is better than
spending the whole night in prayer.'
< Al-Tirmidhi;Narrated: Abdullah ibn Abbas ® >
IMPORTANT: Questions are answered by: Sheikh Adil Salahi. He can be reached at:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Questions on religious matters may be sent to the following address which is
being normally forwarded to the appropriate channel for reply and clarification:
Islam in Perspective Section, Arab News, P O Box: 10452, Jeddah-21433, SAUDI
ARABIA
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