Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalam-O-Alaikum,

I have question to know that do we need to follow on the rules and regulations set by the present government, since at present no country adopted Islamic system. so i want to know if a person who spritually sound and obey Allah and want His system to be followed by all human mankind, if he neglect and disobey the system set by the present government (for example the law of traffic system) is he answerebale in front of Allah.

What should be his duty in connection to the present system (specially which doesn't clash with Islamic laws) ? do a person need to follow or can ignore/neglect/disobey.

Jazakallah

Regards,

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Obey local laws

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

If those entrusted with authority in the land make or legislate a law which is for the betterment, or good, or the safety of the society, and that law does not violate or clash with the Laws ordained by Shariah, absolutely regardless of who legislates such a law, it would be incumbent upon the believers to obey such good laws.

For example, the authorities of the land, absolutely regardless of whether they are believers or disbelievers legislate laws such as:

• Traffic laws (including stops, crossings, speeding, turnings, no-entries, etc.)
• Cleanliness laws (dumping of refusal or garbage, etc.)
• Fire Safety laws (for construction, or even for one’s homes or places of work, etc.)
• Penalties for fraud or dishonesty laws….etc.

If such good laws which are made for the general safety and protection and betterment of the society are made by those in authority, and the laws do not violate or clash with the laws of Shariah….it is absolutely incumbent and obligatory upon the believers to obey and follow these laws. If one intentionally ignores, neglects, disobeys, or violates such good laws…..not only will one be penalized by the laws of the land for their violation, but they will be accountable in the Court of Allah Subhanah for going against the genuine good of the society at large one lives in.

But if one happens to find oneself in a society which legislates laws which are directly against the guidance of Shariah….for example:

• A woman cannot practice her right to wear the hijaab….
• A man cannot practice his right to adorn himself with a beard….
• The believers cannot gather for prayers in a dedicated place of worship….
• The law of the land prohibits and declares it illegal for a believer from lawfully marrying more than one wife….
• The law of the land prohibits and declares it illegal for the believers to have more than a stipulated number of children….etc. etc.

In such a situation, either the believer challenges such inhumane and illegitimate laws through the means available to him, or leaves such a land and migrates to a place where he will be at liberty to practice his choice of religion without interference from the state.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verses 97-100:

97 When Angels take the souls of those who die in sin against their souls they ask: "In what (plight) were ye?" They reply: "Weak and oppressed were we in the earth." They (the Angels) ask: "Was not the earth of Allah spacious enough for you to move yourselves away (from evil)?" Such men will find their abode in Hell; what an evil refuge!

98 Except those who are (really) weak and oppressed men women and children who have no means in their power nor (a guide-post) to direct their way.

99 For these there is hope that Allah will forgive: for Allah doth blot out (sins) and forgive again and again.

100 He who forsakes his home in the Cause of Allah finds in the earth many a refuge wide and spacious: should he die as a refugee from home for Allah and his Messenger, his reward becomes due and sure with Allah: and Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan