Fatwa ID: 04536

Answered by: Maulana Imran Mughal

Question

Assalamu Alaikum,

I live in Canada and have studied to become a Police officer. However, recently I have been told this is Kufr and Haram
 

Kufr for these reasons:

1. I have to take an oath to enforce these laws.
2. There is a tiny cross on the arm patch imitating the Kuffar (could I cover it)?
3. I am enforcing man-made laws.
4. I may have to arrest Muslims who commit crimes

Haram for these reasons:

1. Assist in sin, such as its legal to drink in Canada, however, police can ticket those who are drunk in public, although they don't ticket that often for this unless they are causing problems, where the police do arrest them.
   Or provide security for parades such as the Gay Pride Parade, I would not do this, I would ask them to post me somewhere else.
2. During a domestic problem, I will have to talk to them to work it out however in extreme cases where the individual has been abused badly or they are afraid for their lives I may have to arrest the abuser until they figure something out personally or in the courts.
3. Police departments are funded by taxes. The government collects taxes from its citizens to keep the country running and some of these taxes are used for public services such as Police and Firefighter or even road construction.
4.  

Also in Canada, the government isn't oppressive like France, we can practice our religion without any issue. The Police are very nice it's not often that an officer shoots someone, like in the United States. They are trained to use words before anything else.

I am confused, whether this is an act of kufr, I have asked other sites but none have clarified my points. I was hoping you could clarify this for me.
 

For your reference this is the oath:
"I solemnly swear (affirm) that I will be loyal to Her Majesty the Queen and to Canada, and that I will uphold the Constitution of Canada and that I will, to the best of my ability, preserve the peace, prevent offenses and discharge my other duties as (insert name of office) faithfully, impartially and according to law.
So help me God." (Omit this line in an affirmation.)

https://www.google.ca/amp/s/darussaafi.wordpress.com/2014/05/13/the-ruling-on-some-matters-the-police-or-the-army-face-shaikh-al-albani/amp/

http://theghurabah.blogspot.com/2015/03/joining-police-force-of-disbelievers.html?m=1

https://www.google.ca/amp/s/islamissunnah.wordpress.com/2014/04/17/can-i-join-police-force/amp/

I do not know if these are trustworthy sites.
JazakAllahu Khairan

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

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

Answer:

In essence, becoming a Police officer will be permissible, rather one can also attain reward as the sole purpose of the Police is to ensure the safety of civilians and establish justice. It will be a virtuous act as well Inshallah.

However, if becoming a police officer entails the disobedience of the commandments of Shariah, then it will not be permissible.

Part of the teachings of Islam is also to adhere to the laws of the country, in this case, the laws of Canada. The oath in question will not constitute kufr (disbelief).

Only Allah SWT knows best.

Written by Maulana Imran Mughal

Checked and approved Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham