Laws, Citizens, and Islam

Sometimes we crave simple answers to complex questions. I once asked a well-trained Muslim scholar the following question, and received the following response. I hope you find it helpful.

"Q - Is this statement correct? - 'It is wajib [obligatory] for a Muslim who is a citizen of a nation state to obey the laws of that nation state, unless those laws compel the Muslim to do something which is haram [forbidden], or prohibit the Muslim from doing something which is wajib.'

A - Yes, it is correct to a point. It is fine as long as it doesn't mean that we begin with a belief that every law is a just law, so that we don't fall into legal positivism. Any unjust law is not a law at all as the Greeks pointed out and was repeated by the later Christian patriarchs, like St. Augustine and then Dr. King Jr. In other words, the obligation of obeying the laws of the law means fundamentally that we are obliged to honor the sanctity of life, property, and dignity of all its citizens and whatever laws that lead to the preservation of those aspects of the person's being. It doesn't mean that we should abandon the right to seek amendment of laws that oppress us and limit our freedoms."


Sounds good to me. May all be well.

Brown Daily Herald Article

The Brown Daily Herald - Recent national events spur Muslim action

The year ahead

On Friday, September 3rd, the khutba during Jumu'ah prayers addressed the need for us to capitalize on the talents of our community, both individually and collectively. The khutba can be read at the following link:

"Seeking Our Potential," a Friday sermon