Fatawaa

Subject : Ruling on Firing Guns into the Air
Fatwa Number : 281
Date : 09-07-2009
Classified : Singing & Amusements
Fatwa Type : Search Fatawaa

Question :

What is the ruling on firing guns into the air during celebrations and the like?



The Answer :

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds, and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all of his family and companions.

Doing so is impermissible for the following reasons:

1. Causing harm and intimidating Muslims, as many incidents took place unintentionally due to firing guns into the air which led to the death and serious injuries to many; in this regard, the Prophet (PBUH) said (What means):" It is not lawful for a Muslim that he frightens a Muslim. [Related by Abo Dawood].

 

The Prophet (PBUH) forbade carrying a weapon out of its sheath in order not to cause harm to Muslims accidently or to point it toward a fellow Muslim for the purpose that the cursed Satan may make the former's weapon lose from his hand. So how would be the result when a person uses his weapon and harms Muslims?! Since the Prophet (PBUH) said (What means): "The Prophet (PBUH) said: "If anyone of you passed through our mosque or through our market while carrying arrows, he should hold the iron heads," or said: "..... he should hold (their heads) firmly with his hand lest he should injure one of the Muslims with it." [Related by Moslim]. Besides, he (PBUH) said (What means):" If anyone points a piece of iron at his brother the angels will curse him till he puts it down, even if he is his brother who has the same father and mother.” [Related by Moslim]. Also he (PBUH) said (What means): "None amongst you should point a weapon towards his brother, for he does not know that Satan might cause the weapon (to slip) from his hand and (he may injure anyone) and thus he may fall into Hell-Fire.

2. It is considered spoiling of one's wealth and a waste of money whereas Allah, The most Exalted forbade this, for He Said (What means):" Lo! the squanderers were ever brothers of the devils, and the devil was ever an ingrate to his Lord. [Al-Isra'/27].

3. The ammunition in general is allocated to defend religion, country and fellow citizens; thus, using it for different reckless reason other than the one for which it was manufactured is impermissible i.e. using the grace of Allah for a reason other than the one it was created for is an ungrateful attitude in return of Allah's grace.

4. Contradicting the orders of the ruler is impermissible even if they were set by him to forbid a lawful matter, therefore, firing guns during occasions is impermissible on the basis that this order was issued by him as regards a matter which is already prohibited, as it includes the above risks.

In conclusion, our religious obligation entail us not to imitate people in a habit that contradicts Sharia; besides, expressing our joy in occasions should be done through lawful means so that a marital life will be blessed and formed on the basis of obedience. And Allah Knows Best.

 






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