Fatwa n° 847

Category: Fatwa about Manhaj (the way)

Concerning the Muslim’s attitude towards
the institutions funding the projects of corruption

Question:

As it is evident to you that some of the people involved in the area of telecommunication work to fund the projects of corruption and attacks against the Islamic veil and suchlike, by directing a proportion of their income to promote pornography in its worst images in order to corrupt religion and ethics of our Muslim community. In fact, these plans have been publicly avowed.

Our Sheikh, may Allah protect you, we kindly request you to tell us what is the position the Muslim should take vis-à-vis them, and give him guidance on how to deal with these institutions? May Allah reward you.

Answer:

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessing be upon whom Allah sent as a mercy to the Worlds, upon his Family, his Companions and his Brothers until the Day of Resurrection:

A Muslim should not approve of any conduct that goes against Shari‘a (Islamic Law) nor of any tendency that aims at spreading corruption on earth or depraving the community or propagating immoral practices and evil things. This is required concerning faith or ethics and Islamic values, no matter those who are promoting it, and no matter in which country the corruption has taken place, Allahعزّ وجلّ  says:

﴿ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡفَسَادَ ﴾ [البقرة: 205.[

The meaning of the verse:

﴾  And Allah does not like corruption ﴿ [Al-Baqara: 205].

It goes without saying that a prejudice to the Muslim’s religion and faith is greater in offence and violation than harming him, his wealth, or honor. Actually, the religion takes priority over the five general objectives of the Islamic law. That is why cooperating in evil and transgression is not permissible; Allahعزّ وجلّ  says:

﴿ وَتَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى ٱلۡبِرِّ وَٱلتَّقۡوَىٰۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى ٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡعُدۡوَٰنِۚ ﴾ [المائدة: 2.[

The meaning of the verse:

﴾ And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression ﴿ [Al-Mâ’ida: 2].

It is worth noticing that making a change in a way that one abstains from dealing with a person whose objectives and aims are likewise, and strives to move from what is bad to what is good is, indeed, a form of enjoining good and forbidding evil, Allah  تعالى says:

﴿ كُنتُمۡخَيۡرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخۡرِجَتۡ لِلنَّاسِ تَأۡمُرُونَ بِٱلۡمَعۡرُوفِوَتَنۡهَوۡنَ عَنِ ٱلۡمُنكَرِ وَتُؤۡمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِۗ ﴾ [المائدة:110.[

The meaning of the verse:

﴾ You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah ﴿ [Âl-‘Imrân: 110].

Moreover, the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وآله وسَلَّم said: “Whoever amongst you sees an evil action let him change it with his hand, if he cannot then with his tongue, and if he cannot then with his heart and that is the weakest of faith” ⁽¹⁾.

In whatever situation, a Muslim should continuously strive to achieve honor in his religion by avoiding vice and seeking virtue which is amongst the principles required by Islam in order to fulfill one’s religious duties, protect Muslims as well as preserve their ethics from any way leading to corruption and temptation.

Given that, it is not valid to interpret this change [by leaving the bad for the good] as a boycott, since all the matters that concern this latter are tied to Al-Imâm Al-Hâkim (2) who has the decision-making power and the discretionary power in dealing with others (countries, institutions, companies…) in order to maintain the country’s and the public interest.  However, the only thing we afford –in such a case- is offering advice for whoever has a heart or who listens while he is present [in mind], for the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وآله وسَلَّم says: “Religion is the sincere advice. Upon this we said: For whom? He replied: For Allah, for His Book, for His Messenger, for leaders of Muslims and for Muslims in general” ⁽³⁾.

The perfect knowledge belongs to Allah عزَّ وجلَّ. Our last prayer is all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessing be upon our Prophet, his Family, his Companions and Brothers till the Day of Resurrection.

Algiers on Safar the 16^th, 1429 H.

Corresponding to February the 23^rd, 2008 G.