Q & A Benefits

What’s the ruling on obeying a democratic government in the matters of the laws pertaining to education and employment, revenue, transport, economy, etc…  Also, they provide scholarships and reservations for the muslims, education, employment subsides, discounts and other provisions.

How should we salafis here deal with this matter?

The shaykh hafidhahullah responded by saying:

“Firstly, know that it is not permissible for the muslim to obey the kafir.  Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala says:

وَلَن يَجْعَلَ اللَّهُ لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ سَبِيلًا

‘And never will Allah grant to the disbelievers a way (to triumph) over the believers’

(Surah Nisa:141)

So, they are not rulers over the muslims.  Rather, it is wajib upon the muslim that he makes hijrah and emigrates from the land of disbelief if he has the ability and, if he does not have the ability, then he fears Allah subhanahu wa tala to the best of his ability.

As for obeying them in the affairs which are allowed in our religion, then he does so in the obedience of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala, not in obedience of the kuffaar. Rather, he does this in the obedience of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala and worshipping Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala by that.”