Fatwa ID: 08134
Answered by: Maulana Nuski Cassim
Question:
Is it haram for me to assume someone’s religion based on their looks? So if I see someone with twisted side hairs and Jewish clothes, can I assume they are Jewish? Would I have fallen into kufr if I refrained from takfir, as I’ve heard many scholars say to refrain from takfir; however, these people are obviously Jewish. Is the doubt that maybe they are wearing their clothes like that because they are ignorant or some other excuse valid? Also, can I ignore waswas (whispers) asking me to make takfir on people who don’t believe they are Jewish, because I haven’t asked them directly, but I assumed they are Jews because of their appearance?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Assalamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,
It is human nature to assume things about something or someone based on perceptibility. This common practice is termed as WYSIATI (What You See Is All There Is).
As humans, we tend to make assumptions, judgments, or conclusions in accordance with the information that is in front of us. This is not always a bad thing. How a person speaks, behaves, or looks is often an outward expression of what is embedded within their heart or mind.
Just as a Muslim is distinguished and known by his beard and topi in the case of a man, and by a hijab in the case of a woman, so too are others known and distinguished by certain features or attire.
Hence, it wouldn’t be haram per se to assume someone’s religion based on their appearance, such as twisted side hairs and Jewish clothing, making a conclusion thereby [as we judge according to the outer of what we see].
You most certainly would not have fallen into kufr by refraining from takfir—this abstinence is what safeguards a person. Making excuses for others, such as ignorance etc., is not only valid but is something praiseworthy.
With that said, if one were to make a conclusion or judgment based on an overwhelming number of factors which lead them to assume a person is a non-Muslim, then this wouldn’t necessarily be something which is dispraise-worthy nor wrong.
Only Allah knows best.
Written by: Maulana Nuski Cassim
Checked and approved by: Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
References:
1.
عن عبد الله بن عتبة قال: قال عمر بن الخطاب رضي الله عنه:
“إن أناسًا كانوا يُؤْخذون بالوحي في عهد رسول الله ﷺ وإن الوحي قد انقطع وإنما نأخذكم الآن بما ظهر لنا من أعمالكم فمن أظهر لنا خيرًا آمناه وقربناه وليس إلينا من سريرته شيء، الله يحاسبه في سريرته، ومن أظهر لنا سوءًا لم نؤمنه ولم نصدقه وإن قال إن سريرته حسنة”
— [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 2641]
2.
فيه دليل للقَاعدة المعروفة في الفقه والأصول أن الأحكام يُعمل فيها بالظواهر والله يتولى السرائر
— [Sharh Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Iman, Vol. 2, p. 107]
3.
وفيه دليل على أن حكم النبي ﷺ والأئمة بعده إنما كان على الظاهر
— [Umdat al-Qari, Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Iman, Vol. 1, p. 182]
4.
وفي الحديث دليل على أن أمور الناس في معاملتهم بعضهم لبعض إنما تجري على الظاهر من أحوالهم دون باطنها، وأن من أظهر شعار الدين أُجري عليه حكمه ولم يُكشف عن باطن أمره
— [Kitab Sharh al-Sunna al-Baghawi, Kitab al-Iman, Vol. 1, p. 70]
