Fatwa ID: 07681
Answered by: Mawlana Burhaan Rahman
Question:
Assalamualaikum
Scenerio 1: In some debates, we have to presume that time travel is possible providing that I do not believe in it as this is nonsense. But just for the sake of the debate we got to presume that.
For example, there is a famous topic of debate and that is “We will go to past and kill child Hitler ”
One team will debate and say yes will kill and another will debate and say no we will not kill. So we have to presume time travel to be feasible just for the sake of argumentation. Is this sinful is it kufr, does it takes us out of the fold of Islam!?
I am having intrusive thoughts about it. Please help me out.
Scenario 2: We know some things to be haram for certain, for example free mixing (women rights).
So if we still debate for the topic just because of the side we are given (not arbitrary) and put arguments for it while believing in heart that the shari’ah law stands and haram remains haram, does that make us sinful or take us out of the fold of Islam??
Note– In these debates, everyone acknowledges that even if one person is debating for a topic, it doesn’t necessarily mean s/he believes in it. And debates take place to make one good at brainstorming and constructive thinking. So one side defends the topic and the other side opposes it. I personally debate to increase my skills and be a productive Muslim.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Wa alaykum Assalaam
The basic principle we all know about regarding Allah’s decree is mentioned in the Qur’an. What we know without a doubt, Allah SWT says:
قُل لَّآ أَمْلِكُ لِنَفْسِى ضَرًّۭا وَلَا نَفْعًا إِلَّا مَا شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۗ لِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ أَجَلٌ ۚ إِذَا جَآءَ أَجَلُهُمْ فَلَا يَسْتَـْٔخِرُونَ سَاعَةًۭ ۚ وَلَا يَسْتَقْدِمُونَ
Say, O Prophet, “I have no power to benefit or protect myself, except by the Will of Allah.” For each community there is an appointed term. When their time arrives, they cannot delay it for a moment, nor could they advance it. [Surah Yunus verse 49]
You have mentioned that you don’t believe in the topic of debate rather it’s a topic of fiction and theories as you wrote in your notes. If that is the case, it can’t be deemed Haram as you are not opposing Allah’s decree in your beliefs, it is mere fiction. In this day and age you find countless stories and novels about time travel and we all deem it as fiction and bit of entertainment to read upon it. No doubt we all know it’s untrue and is mere falsehood, plain and simple. However you as a Muslim must stand your ground and show no belief towards it whatsoever which is what you are doing Alhamdulillah.
Also you must ensure that no mockery of Allah and his attributes/his decree/signs are not questioned. Allah SWT mentions in the Qur’an:
وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُمْ لَيَقُولُنَّ إِنَّمَا كُنَّا نَخُوضُ وَنَلْعَبُ ۚ قُلْ أَبِٱللَّهِ وَءَايَـٰتِهِۦ وَرَسُولِهِۦ كُنتُمْ تَسْتَهْزِءُونَ لَا تَعْتَذِرُوا۟ قَدْ كَفَرْتُم بَعْدَ إِيمَـٰنِكُمْ
If you ask them (about this), they declare: “We were only talking idly and joking.” Say: “Was it at Allah, and His signs and His Messenger that you were mocking”. Make no excuse; you disbelieved after you had believed. [Surah Tawbah verse 65-66]
And ensure there are no genuine lies about anything for laughter to do with what you are debating about. Fiction is fiction, don’t add lies into it.
Our beloved prophet (SAW) mentions:
وَيْلٌ لِلَّذِي يُحَدِّثُ بِالْحَدِيثِ لِيُضْحِكَ بِهِ الْقَوْمَ فَيَكْذِبُ وَيْلٌ لَهُ وَيْلٌ لَهُ
Woe to the person who fabricates a story in order to make others laugh. Shame on him! Shame on him. [Tirmidhi Hadeeth no: 2315]
Always make sure you prevent yourself from diving into anything that is controversial and those things which can fall under the banner of questionable. We know our boundaries and we ask Allah SWT for steadfastness.
Our beloved prophet (SAW) mentions:
الْمُؤْمِنُ الْقَوِيُّ خَيْرٌ وَأَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِ الضَّعِيفِ وَفِي كُلٍّ خَيْرٌ احْرِصْ عَلَى مَا يَنْفَعُكَ وَاسْتَعِنْ بِاللَّهِ وَلاَ تَعْجِزْ وَإِنْ أَصَابَكَ شَىْءٌ فَلاَ تَقُلْ لَوْ أَنِّي فَعَلْتُ كَانَ كَذَا وَكَذَا . وَلَكِنْ قُلْ قَدَرُ اللَّهِ وَمَا شَاءَ فَعَلَ فَإِنَّ لَوْ تَفْتَحُ عَمَلَ الشَّيْطَانِ
A strong believer is better and is more lovable to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone, (but) cherish that which gives you benefit (in the Hereafter) and seek help from Allah and do not lose heart, and if anything (in the form of trouble) comes to you, don’t say: If I had not done that, it would not have happened so and so, but say: Allah did that what He had ordained to do and your” if” opens the (gate) for the Satan. [Muslim Hadeeth no: 2264]
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Mawlana Burhaan Rahman
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
