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

I work overtime after regular working hours and may become occupied with my phone or the work computer for personal matters — what is the ruling on this?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
It is obligatory upon an employee to abide by the instructions and regulations governing overtime hours, and equally obligatory to uphold honesty and avoid all forms of deception and dishonesty. Allah the Almighty says {what means}: "O you who have believed, be mindful of Allah and be with the truthful." [Al-Tawbah/ 119]
Whoever is assigned to work overtime must be present at his workplace — even if he has no specific tasks to carry out at that time. In such a case, he should strive as best he can to spend that time in a manner that benefits the institution he works for. If there is genuinely no work for him to do, there is no objection to occupying his time with something beneficial — such as reciting the Holy Qurʾān, reading, or listening to educational lessons — provided he has already completed all the responsibilities assigned to him.
If, however, he does have work to complete, he must spend that time fulfilling it. He may attend to phone calls or other personal matters to the extent that is customarily acceptable, as long as this does not result in delaying or postponing his work. If he delays his work on account of personal preoccupations, the wages he received for that wasted time are not lawfully his to keep, and he is obliged to return the equivalent amount to the institution by whatever means available to him. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

What should one do if they see someone deliberately eating or drinking openly during Ramadan?

They must enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. If they fear harm from that person, they should disapprove of it in their heart but avoid sitting with them if possible. It is also preferable to seek the help of the authorities to prevent them from doing so.

What is the ruling on performing the obligatory prayer immediately after the commencement of the Adhan?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is permissible to perform the obligatory prayer (Fard) immediately after the commencement of the prayer time. As the Adhan (call to prayer) serves as a sign that the time has entered, it is permissible to pray as soon as the Adhan begins. However, it is recommended (Mustahabb) for whoever hears the Mu’adhin to repeat what he says. If the Adhan occurs while one is already engaged in prayer, he should repeat the words of the Mu’adhin after he has completed his prayer. And Allah the Exalted knows best.

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

In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Offering an Udhiyah (sacrificial animal) on behalf of a deceased person is permissible. This is the official position of the Hanbali school (as stated in Kashshaf al-Qina’ by al-Bahuti,Vol.6/P.428) and was also upheld by the prominent Shafi'i scholar Al-’Abbadi (mentioned in Bidayat al-Muhtaj by Ibn Qadi Shuhbah,Vol. 4/P.358). It has likewise been narrated as a valid view among some Maliki and Hanafi scholars.
 
In fact, Imam Abu Dawud dedicated an entire chapter in his Sunan collection entitled, "Chapter on Sacrificing on Behalf of the Deceased." In it, he recorded a narration from Hanash, who said: "I saw 'Ali sacrificing two rams, so I asked him, 'What is this?' He replied, 'The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded me to offer a sacrifice on his behalf, so I am sacrificing on his behalf.'"
 
Imam Abu Dawud also narrated from Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Allah, this is from You, for You, and on behalf of Muhammad and his Ummah (community). In the Name of Allah, and Allah is the Greatest," and he then slaughtered the animal.
 
The textual evidence here lies in the fact that our Master, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), offered a sacrifice on behalf of his entire community—and it is well-established that his community includes those who have already passed away.
 
Furthermore, there is an abundance of sacred texts demonstrating that the rewards of righteous deeds reach the deceased. For instance, it is permissible to fast on behalf of a deceased person who passed away with missed obligatory fasts, and it is equally permissible to perform Hajj on their behalf, both of which are firmly established in authentic Hadiths. Therefore, if the reward of fasting (which is a purely physical act of worship) and Hajj (which is a joint physical and financial act of worship) can reach the deceased, then the reward of an Udhiyah reaches them with greater reason (by way of A Fortiori argument). This is because it is a purely financial act of worship, falling under the general category of charity (Sadaqah).
 
Additionally, scholars have reached a consensus (Ijma') that the rewards of charity reach the deceased, and since the Udhiyah is inherently an act of charity, it falls under the same ruling. Consequently, based on all the aforementioned evidence, we hold the view that offering a sacrifice on behalf of the deceased is entirely permissible. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.