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Thursday, September 04, 2014

Ruling on Striking, Protests and Demonstrations

Shaykh Muhammad bin 'Alee Farkous, from the scholars of Algeria, may Allaah Preserve him.

All Praises be to Allaah, the Lord of the creation. May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon the one who He Sent as a Mercy to all mankind, upon his Companions and his brothers, until the Last Day.

To Proceed:

Strikes and its various types are from the remnants of democracy, a constitution that gives the population complete control and power. So strikes, protests and demonstrations are from the principles set by democracy, which on its face value, seeks to rectify and bring solution to the problems that the population faces. They argue that protests and demonstrations find resolve to problems on political, social and employment levels. Through protests and demonstrations,  a bad situation is turned in to a good one, or from a good state to a better one.

From an Islaamic viewpoint, democracy in all its forms, is a form of equating the creation to Allaah (Shirk) in legislation. This is where the right to legislate is given to the creation, cancelling the right to legislate for al-Khaaliq (the Creator), Glorified and Just it is, to give Him the right to be the sole legislator upon the creation.

In recent times, this democratic methodology has been adopted by the secularists, applying the right for the creation to be legislators in affairs of politics, religion and similarly in every aspect of our daily lives. As a consequence, the right to legislate and deduce rulings that effect this Ummah, is given to the Ummah themselves, without any need for a ruler or consequence, and to Allaah we complain and seek assistance.

This methodology differs from the fact that the Ummah is obligated to legislate, via appointed rulers, under the scope of the Sharee'ah. It is not permitted for the Ummah to legislated anything except that which Allaah, the Most High, has Permitted.

He, the Glorified, Said:
﴿أَمْ لَهُمْ شُرَكَاء شَرَعُوا لَهُم مِّنَ الدِّينِ مَا لَمْ يَأْذَن بِهِ اللَّهُ﴾
"Or have they partners with Allah (false gods), who have instituted for them a religion which Allah has not allowed. And had it not been for a decisive Word (gone forth already), the matter would have been judged between them. And verily, for the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers), there is a painful torment."
[ash-Shooraa 42 : 21]

Strikes, protests and demonstrations and anything else that stems from democracy are all practices adopted from the political systems of the Kuffaar. Something al-Islaam is completely free of. It is not from the practices of the people of faith (Emaan), that they seek or demand their rights by striking from work, even if they are asking for something which is within their rights. Striking and demonstrations only give rise to chaos. A chaos which has a widespread effect which results in discord (Fitnah), and for those who do not involve themselves to become the target of defamation and insults. All of this, and more, conflicts with the Islaamic teachings of being mannered and following proper etiquette, and to seek ones right in the appropriate and legislated manner. Namely, one should return all matters of dispute to those in authority. By doing so, one may have their problems resolved, and this is form the Favours of Allaah, the Glorified. If one doesn't find a resolution, even after returning the matter back to those in charge, then it is obligatory for the subordinates to be patient, and to keep on persisting in seeking their rights through the appropriate channels, by putting their requests again, until Allaah opens the way and He is Best of Openers (al-Fattaah).

It has been authentically narrated on the authority of 'Ubaadah bin as-Saamit [May Allaah be Pleased with him] which supports this latter point.
He narrated, "The Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] called us to give allegiance and obligated us to hear and obey those in authority. Obey them in our activities, in whatever we dislike, in our hardships, in our ease, and that we are permitted to strip those in charge of their authority, unless if they commit a clear act of Kufr (disbelieve), then this is for you with Allaah, a proof. " [al-Bukhaaree (7056) and Muslim (4877)]

Imaam Ahmad reported the same narration with an extra wording, "Even if you opine that you have more right to rule than he does." [Musnad Ahmad (23405); classed as Saheeh by al-Albaanee in Dhilaal al-Jannah (1028)]

Meaning, even if you feel that you have more right to rule than he does, then do not act upon this inclination. Rather, remain steadfast upon hearing and obeying those in authority over you without revolting. [Explanation given by Ibn Hajar in Fath al-Baaree (10/30)]

In another narration reported by Ibn Hibbaan (4645) and Ahmad (24140), "Obey! Even if he eats your wealth and beats your back." [Classed as Saheeh by al-Albaanee in Takhreej of as-Sunnah by Ibn Abee 'Aasim (1026)]

It has also been narrated on the authority of Ibn Mas'ood [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah] said, "You will witness after me discord and rulers that you will dislike."

The Companions therefore asked, "What do you order us to do in this situation?"
He [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] replied, "Give them their due rights and ask Allaah for your rights." [al-Bukhaaree (7052)]

Finally, I ask Allaah to make us see aright and Provide us with the ability to follow it and that we see misguidance for what it is and Provide us the ability to avoid it.
And our last supplication is, 'All Praises are for Allaah, the Lord of all the creation.'

May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his Companions, his brothers and all those who follow them until the Last Day.

Written,
16/12/1426 – 16/1/2006


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