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

After having been to many mosques in East London and after having
talked to many people about the above subject I felt it necessary to
write something to clarify the situation as regards to 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 (wo)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.

The correct understanding of this issue is greatly hampered by people
like Kalim Siddique, who in his Muslim Manifesto stated that it is the
overriding duty of all Muslims to obey the civil law of this country.
However he failed to give any evidence for this stance.

It is time now that we understand fully what it entails to be a
Muslim, whether it means tat we should be subservient to the law
of this land or to Allah (SWT). Whether we continue to be subjected to
man or woman made laws or the laws of Allah (SWT).

"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)