Fatwa ID: 08399

 

 

Written by Maulana Mohammed Aabu Saeed Miah

 

Question:

 

I have a serious question that’s affecting my faith, future, and business decisions. I need a clear answer based on Qur’an, Sunnah, and reliable scholars. We often hear Islam has 2 billion followers, but in reality, I have doubts: Around 250 million are Shia, and many scholars say their beliefs contain clear shirk or kufr. Are they still considered Muslims?

 

Millions of Muslims don’t pray at all, but they still believe in Allah, the Prophet ﷺ, and Islam. Are they still Muslim, or does abandoning prayer take them out of Islam?

 

A huge number of Muslims support or are members of secular, democratic, or liberal political parties in Muslim countries. These parties do not rule by Qur’an or Sharia, often promote anti-Islamic values, support content from other religions, and are even funded by enemies of Islam like the US or Israel. Are these people still Muslims if they claim belief but support these systems?

 

 

Now, about my personal situation:

I work in a 100% halal and honest field. But in my country, if you’re not connected to a political party, you get stuck. These parties control the economy, opportunities, and resources. If I were in a country like the USA or Europe, I might be able to connect with wealthy businesspeople and grow independently. But here, the only way to grow is by joining these parties, even though they are corrupt and promote things against Islam. Most people around me join them to succeed, even if they claim to be religious.

 

So I ask:

If I join such a party just to grow my business and survive, while I still fully believe in Islam and hate their corruption in my heart—am I still Muslim? Is it halal to join these systems out of need, or is it haram and dangerous to my iman? Are Muslims in these parties truly believers, or are they hypocrites or disbelievers for supporting what Allah has forbidden?

 

 

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

 

Answer:

 

For a group to be entirely considered as non-Muslim is a bold statement. We should be cautious of labelling people with kufr or shirk. This does not suggest that those of corrupted Aqeeda are pardoned in the eyes of the Islam. For a Shia to be considered kafir, we look at their core beliefs, considering that they’re telling the truth. If a Shia believes that there is a God other than or with Allah, or they falsely accuse Mother A’isha (ra) to be guilty of adultery or deny the companionship of Abu Bakr As Siddique (ra), or corruption in revelation directly to the Prophet ﷺ, then there will be no doubt in their Kufr.

 

If, however they do not of have corrupted Aqeeda but hold historical political differences regarding the original caliphate then they will not be considered disbelievers, but they will be considered transgressors due to their hostility towards the rightly guided leaders of the original caliphate (ra). Therefore, deeming someone a disbeliever is not something taken lightly. A person’s Iman/Kufr is determined by their Aqeeda.

 

Abandoning Salah due to Laziness does not take one out of Islam. Believing that Salah is not a part of the religion does take someone out of Islam. Following a group which does not act in line with the Sharia does not take one out of Islam. It will be considered transgression. It comes again down to the belief of the person, if their Aqeeda is against the religion brought by our prophet (pbuh) then they will be considered out of Islam. Only voting for a party will not take one out of Islam.

 

Your circumstance

 

Maintaining a halal business is a need and not a luxury. Developing your financial stability is a need and not a luxury. In your case specifically, as you have stated that you have no other option, joining a party for mere survival and necessary development is pardoned as it’s a need. This is because, the Sharia allows room when there is need [1]. Thus, you may join a group only. You must not partake in any activities which go against the Sharia. You must not partake in activities that causes harm to others, their wealth, or their families. As well as this, you must not partake in any activity which will cause harm to mankind.

 

 

References:

 

 [1] “الأمر اذا ضاق اتسع” – قاعدة 28 – قاعدة فقهية للشيخ عزت عبيد الدعاس

 

 

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Maulana Mohammed Aabu Saeed Miah

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham