In the name of Allah most gracious most merciful
Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatuallahi wa barakatuhu
 

IS IT COMPULSORY (FARD) TO OBEY THE LAWS OF THIS COUNTRY?
By Mohamed Uvais

 Whether it is fard to obey the laws of this country as a muslim.


It is not compulsory to obey non-Islamic laws which are derived from the minds of men, because as Muslims you must submit to the laws of Allah.


The prevailing understanding about this issue is grossly inaccurate and there are many misconceptions about the whole subject even from the Imams of mosques. Time and time again I have quoted three verses from the Qur'an to explain the Islamic stand-point on the issue,namely:

"Those who do not judge by that which Allah has revealed such are the disbeliever (kafireen),...dhalimoon (oppressors),...fasiqoon (evil
doers)" (al-Maidah: 47,48,50)


As muslims we believe that Allah (SWT) has given us a complete and comprehensive way of life, so any problem we face Islam has a solution

for it . We should not look to any other system than that of Islam to solve our problems. It may seem that adhering to the western way of life is easier but the issue is not of what we find easy or what we would like to do, for Allah (SWT) instructs us in the Qur'an:


"It is not for any believing man or believing woman , when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, to have any choice for themselves
in their affairs. For whoever rebels against Allah and His Messenger have gone astray into manifest error." (33:36)


Furthermore Allah (SWT) instructs us: 

"O ye who believe, obey Allah and obey the Prophet and those in authority among you" (4:59)


"Do they then seek after a judgment of (the Days of)Ignorance? But who,For a people whose faith is assured,can give Better judgment then Allah?" (5:53)


"Follow what has been sent down to you from your Lord and follow no masters other than Him; little do you remember." (7:3)


"Whatever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatever He forbids you of, abstain from it; and fear Allah." (59:7)


"And verily, this is my straight path so follow it, and do not follow other paths, least they take you away from his path. This he has ordered for you that you may become pious." (6:153)


"But no! by thy Lord, they will not become believers until they make thee judge in their disputes and do not afterwards find difficulty in thy decisions, but surrender in full submission." (4:65)


"We have sent to thee the book in truth, that you might judge between men, as guided by Allah: so be not (used) as an advocate by those who
betray their trust." (4:105)


HADITH:


Muhammad (SAW) said on the authority of Abu Tha'laba al-Khushani Jurthum ibn Nashir (may Allah be pleased with him):


"Allah the almighty has laid down religious duties, so do not neglect them; He has set boundaries, so do not overstep them; He has prohibited some things, so do not violate them; about some things He was silent - out of compassion for you, not forgetfulness - so seek not after them. (ad-Daraqutni)


On the authority of Abu Muhammad Abdullah the son of Amr ibn Al-As (may Allah be pleased with them both), who said: Messenger of Allah (SWT) said:


"None of you (truly) believes until his inclination is in accordance with what I have brought " (al-Hujja, by Abu l-Qasim Ismail ibn Muhammad al-Asfahani)


There are categoric evidences to prove that as muslims we are not allowed to judge by anything other then what Allah (SWT) has revealed.

As muslims we only obey Allah (SWT) after all it is only to Allah that we submit, for He created us and it is He who gives us the criterion for action. What is right and what is wrong. What we must do, that which is compulsory (fard) and what we must abstain from, that which is forbidden (haram).


Just as a manufacturer of an item gives you a list of do's and dont's i.e. how to use the equipment and what not to do, how to look after

the equipment etc., Allah (SWT) who created us also give us rules by which we must abide.


Another misconception which needs to be clarified is that some muslims quote a hadith which talks about obeying the law of the land you are living in. Furthermore they add that since they are here by choice and have signed a declaration - which states that they agree to abide by the laws of the country - to obtain British Nationality, then surely they are obliged to obey the laws of the land. May I remind them that you have made another declaration i.e. Shahada, namely: "I bear witness that there is no God but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is his slave and Messenger."


This declaration makes you a muslim, one who submits to Allah (SWT) and not the kufr state (Britain). You were created to worship Allah (SWT), to obey Allah (SWT), to submit to Allah (SWT) and not to worship the kuffar, not to obey the kuffar and not to submit to the kuffar!


As Muslims we do not decide what we should and should not do, neither do we ask the kuffar to decide for us, this is decided by Allah (SWT). 

As Muslims we are only obliged to obey the law of this country if firstly it is permitted in Islam (mubah) and secondly, if a treaty exists between the Islamic State and the Kufr state - this is the opinion of Abu Hanifa, one of the Great Imams.

Allah Knows Best