Rallies.. Islamic value? Muslims all over the US gathered in Washington to protest the US poilicies towards Middle East
Question
AsSalam O Alaikkum, On the April 20th, Muslims all over the US gathered in Washington to protest the US poilicies towards Middle East. Millions of dollars have been spent to organize and to support this rally. First of all, do these kinds of rallies have any Islamic importance? Does ever Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his Shaba (RA) protested this way? We all know about the US policies and I've failed to understand the logic of telling an aggressor that you are an aggressor. Such kinds of rallies had been organised in the past with zero-impact. Secondly, lots of unislamic acts happen in these kinds of rallies, music, dances, un-hijab women etc. It appears to be a big picnic day with families doing the sight seeing than really doing any protest. As far as I know these protests, walks, day of gatherings etc were invented by non-muslims and have no islamic importance. Islam has defined its own day of gatherings that are Eids and a friday gathering every week. Mimber is the place to raise your voice against injustice. How can Muslims change a system by becoming part of that system??? Allah knows the best.
Answer
Allah Ta'ala says in the noble Qur'aan, 'Hold firm to the rope of Allah Ta'ala all together, and do not disunite.' (Aali Imraan Aayat103).
Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) is reported to have said, 'A Muslim is a brother to his next Muslim, he neither oppresses him, nor does he abandon him to be attacked by the enemy. He who becomes of assistance to his needy Muslim brother, Allah Ta'ala will assist him with his needs.' (Riyaadhus saaliheen pg.123;Darul Fikr)
The abovementioned quotations clearly indicate that brotherhood and unity is the actual spirit of Islam. It is, therefore, the duty of every Muslim to strive to his level best to revive this unity and brotherhood. When Muslims in our own country and abroad are being oppressed and suffering at the hands of the non-believers, it becomes the duty of every Muslim to assist these Muslims. It is incumbent upon every Muslim to show and express his worry, concern, cry and support for his fellow oppressed Muslims.
The object and purpose of hosting marches and rallies is to create confidence within our Muslims to join hands together, bringing all our thoughts together and, in doing so, creating pressure from our side onto those who are oppressing the Muslims abroad. The purpose of these marches is to express our support and assistance for our Muslims who are suffering abroad. As long as these marches and rallies stay within the confines of Shari'ah, there is no prohibition for this. Any un-Islamic factor, such as Music, intermingling of sexes, photography, women in public without proper Shar'ee attire, etc. that are prevalent at these marches will render the march not permissible.
However, if these marches are carried out in a proper Shar'ee manner without any un-Islamic activities, then this could become a leeway for the assistance of our oppressed Muslims who are suffering at the hands of the non-believers. We must, however, remember that since the hosting of such marches is a very delicate issue. It is important to form a Shura committee under the guidance of the Ulama specially dedicated for these types of issues. Together with such a committee and guidance from the Ulama, the necessary aspects and requirements about how to organize these marches may be discussed.
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
- Answered by
- Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Fatawa SA is an independent, read-only index of fatawa already published by Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah (AskImam). It is not a fatwa service. For your own situation, ask the issuing Darul Ifta directly.