Articles

Islam Prohibits Violence and Transgression
Author : The General Iftaa` Department
Date Added : 14-02-2023

 

One of the objectives of Sharia for which the Master of mankind, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), was sent and without which societies and civilizations would go astray is spreading love and mercy among people as well as combating all forms of transgression and vandalism from which Islam is innocent. These cowardly acts tarnish the beautiful image of Islam, twist its objectives and tie violence and vandalism to its compassionate principles.

Pondering upon the evidences from the Quran and the Prophetic Sunnah shows the magnitude of the texts that indicate that a human being is honored, forbidden to oppress or violate his faith, life, honor and wealth. Almighty Allah Says {What means}: "We have honored the sons of Adam; provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favours, above a great part of our creation." {Al-Isra`/70}.

According to Islam, it is unlawful to frighten a Muslim and spread discord amongst members of society. Narrated Abdur Rahman Ibn Abu Layla:

The Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) told us that they were travelling with the Prophet (PBUH). A man of them slept, and one of them went to the rope, which he had with him. He took it, by which he was frightened. The Prophet (PBUH) said: It is not lawful for a Muslim that he frightens a Muslim." {Abu Dawud}. Abu Huraira reported: Abu'l-Qasim (the kunya of Allah's Messenger, may peace be upon him), said: He who pointed a weapon towards his brother the angels invoke curse upon him even if he is his real brother so long as he does not abandon it (the pointing of weapon towards one's brother Muslim)." {Muslim}. Narrated `Abdullah:

The Prophet (PBUH) said: "Abusing a Muslim is Fusuq (evil doing) and killing him is Kufr (disbelief)." {Bukhari}.

The duty of advising others dictates that we raise the awareness of Muslims everywhere and explain to them the dangers and repercussions of violence in the sense that it breeds hatred and enmity amongst the members of society, sows the seeds of sin and transgression, and prevents achieving security and safety for humanity. Allah The Almighty Says {What means}: "Help ye one another in righteousness and piety, but help ye not one another in sin and rancor: fear Allah. for Allah is strict in punishment." {Al-Ma`idah/2}.

We affirm that violence occurring at the family, university or community levels is an intrusion on our Jordanian Muslim society and Arab-Islamic culture and values stemming from authenticity, compassion and mercy. The only fruit for this violence is damaging and corrupting public and private property, thereby causing harm to citizens and their interests. This is mischief in the land and Allah doesn`t love those who do mischief. He, The Almighty Says {What means}: "But seek, with the (wealth) which God has bestowed on thee, the Home of the Hereafter, nor forget thy portion in this world: but do thou good, as God has been good to thee, and seek not (occasions for) mischief in the land: for God loves not those who do mischief." {Al-Qasas/77}. If Allah The Exalted Forbade transgressing against the property of others and prescribed penalties for that in this life and the next, He also Forbade violating properties and public funds, which belong to all members of society, and considered this as an unjust act for society and self since Allah Loves not the unjust.

In this regard, there is a Sharia maxim that states: "There should be neither harm nor reciprocating harm." What is the use behind killing, beating or abusing someone? What is the use behind destroying property and disrupting schooling other than spreading evil and corruption in the land? The escalation of violence leads to increasing human and material losses. This is destroying the crops and the cattle and a sinful transgression against the right of society, and the doer of this along with whoever assisted him/her will be held accountable for that on the Day of Resurrection.

Undoubtedly, acts of violence increase tribal dissension about which the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Leave it. For it is something disgusting."{Bukhari}.

We all know that violence spreads discord and boosts rumors, thereby spreading fear, terror and dismay among people leading to the elimination of security, peace and stability. This is in addition to extinguishing the flame of knowledge that our universities, institutions and families spread; consequently, losing our leading role, which Allah Praised us for when He Said (What means): "Ye are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in God. If only the People of the Book had faith, it were best for them: among them are some who have faith, but most of them are perverted transgressors." {Al-Imran/110}. " 

This is a call for our blessed society to resort to reason in all its affairs and adhere to the guidance of Islam concerning kindness, mercy and tolerance. It is also a call for all researchers, scholars and preachers to work on remedying this extraneous phenomenon to spread the culture of compassion and tolerance and eliminate all forms of violence.

Oh Allah! Bless this country and the other Muslim countries with safety and security. And all perfect praise be to Allah The Lord of The Worlds.

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

What do you say about someone who stays up all night on Laylat al-Qadr but misses Fajr prayer?

Such a person has deprived themselves of a great reward. Performing obligatory acts is more beloved to Allah than voluntary acts. Fajr prayer is an obligation, and performing it in congregation is equivalent to worshiping for the entire night. So how can someone neglect it while striving for voluntary prayers?!

 I`m keeping a plot of land (10 Dunums) for my children. Is it liable for Zakah?

Praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds.

Land that is purchased with the intention of ownership and personal benefit—meaning to retain it for use and not for trade—is not subject to zakāh, as such property is not considered from trade commodities (ʿurūḍ al-tijārah).
 
It is stated in Al-Ḥāwī al-Kabīr:
“If it is property and one intends it for trade, then zakāh is due upon it; but if he intends it for personal possession, then no zakāh is due upon it.” And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.

 

Is it permissible to offer an Udhiyah on behalf of the deceased?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Offering a sacrifice (Udhiyah) on behalf of the deceased is permissible. This is the position of the Hanbalis [Kashshaf al-Qina’ by al-Bahuti (Vol.6/P.428)], and it was held by al-Abbadi of the Shafi’is [Bidayat al-Muhtaj by Ibn Qadi Shuhbah (Vol.4/P.358)]; it is also narrated from some Maliki and Hanafi scholars.
 
Abu Dawud included a chapter in his Sunan titled "Chapter: Offering the Sacrifice on Behalf of the Deceased," in which he narrated from Hanash, who said: "I saw Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) sacrificing two rams. I asked him, 'What is this?' He replied, 'The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) enjoined me to sacrifice on his behalf, so I am sacrificing on his behalf.'"
 
Abu Dawud also narrated from Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "O Allah, this is from You and for You, on behalf of Muhammad and his Ummah; in the name of Allah, and Allah is the Greatest," then he slaughtered it. It is well known that among the Ummah of Muhammad (peace be upon him) are those who have passed away, yet he (peace be upon him) dedicated it to his entire Ummah.
 
Furthermore, multiple Sharia texts have consistently indicated that the rewards of righteous deeds reach the deceased. This includes the permissibility of fasting on behalf of the deceased if they died owing fasts, as well as the permissibility of performing Hajj on their behalf, both of which are established in authentic Hadiths. Since the rewards for fasting—a physical act of worship—and Hajj—a physical and financial act of worship—reach the deceased, then the sacrifice (Udhiyah) is even more likely to reach them.
 
Moreover, the scholars have reached a consensus (Ijma') that the rewards of charities reach the deceased, and the Udhiyah is a form of charity and falls under its general category. Based on all of this, we hold the view that offering a sacrifice on behalf of the deceased is permissible. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on making up missed prayers during prohibited times?

 

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is permissible to make up (qada’) missed prayers at any time, even during the periods when prayer is generally prohibited. The prayers that are forbidden and considered invalid during these times are 'absolute voluntary prayers' (nafl mutlaq)—which have no specific cause—and voluntary prayers whose cause follows the prayer itself, such as the Sunnah of entering Ihram or the Sunnah of the Istikharah prayer. Furthermore, no prayer is considered disliked (makruh) during these prohibited times when performed within the Meccan Sanctuary (Makkah al-Mukarramah).
 
It is stated in Bushra al-Karim (Vol.1/P.181), one of the Shafi’i texts: 'It is not forbidden to perform prayers that have a cause that is not delayed (i.e., the cause is preceding), such as making up a missed prayer (fa’itah)—even if it was a voluntary one—and the funeral prayer (janazah); or a cause that is simultaneous, such as the prayer for rain (istisqa’) or the eclipse prayer (kusuf)... and the Sunnah of wudu, the greeting of the mosque (tahiyyat al-masjid), the Sunnah of circumambulation (tawaf), the Sunnah of arrival, and the prostrations of recitation (tilawah) or thankfulness (shukr). These mentioned prayers and their like are not forbidden provided that one does not specifically intend (ta'ammud) to perform them during the disliked time because it is a disliked time. If one does so intentionally, it becomes forbidden, even if it is a mandatory makeup prayer that is due immediately; because in that case, one is acting in defiance of the Sharia. This is in contrast to when one does not specifically seek out that time, even if the prayer happens to fall within it, or if one seeks it for another purpose—such as delaying a funeral prayer to that time so that a larger number of people may pray over the deceased; in such cases, it is permissible and valid... And it is forbidden to perform prayers with no cause at all, like absolute nafl, or those with a delayed cause, such as the Istikharah prayer, the prayer for Ihram, the prayer for a need (hajah), the prayer before leaving the house, or the prayer before execution; because their causes occur after the prayer itself.' And Allah the Exalted knows best."