Warning Against a Filthy Habit in an Era Where Some Utilise Distortion, Evasion and Unlawful Stratagems to Issue False Verdicts Against Opponents

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Al-Allamah Siddiq Hasan Khan, may Allāh have mercy upon him, said:

It is forbidden for a mufti to assist the one seeking a verdict, directing him to his request, or giving him a verdict (merely) based on what is apparent that will lead him to his goal when presented with an issue of the religion wherein there is trickery to drop an obligation, make a prohibited act lawful, plotting, or deception. Rather, it is incumbent upon him to be clear-sighted (perceptive) regarding people’s plotting (schemes), deception, and situations. It is not permissible for him to have a good suspicion of them; rather, he should be cautious, astute, understand the people’s circumstances and their affairs, backed by his understanding of the Islamic Shariah. If he is not like that, he will go astray and lead others astray. How many issues whose outward appearance is beauty, while what is not immediately apparent is repugnant injustice? The deceived person looks only at its outward appearance and passes judgement about its permissibility, whereas the person who has insight examines and scrutinises its intent and hidden reality. The first is deceived by issues related to the religion that are manipulated (misrepresented, falsified) just as one ignorant of coin authentication is deceived by counterfeit coins, while the second unveils their counterfeit nature just as a coin evaluator does.  

How many falsehoods are presented by a man through his fine wording, its embellishment, and framing it in the image of truth; and how truths are presented through a defective (faulty, incorrect, disapproving, scathing  manner), evil portrayal in a false image. Anyone with even the slightest acuity and experience will not be unaware of this. Rather, this is mostly the situation of people, and because it is so widespread and well known, examples are not needed. Indeed, whoever contemplates all the false statements (views) and the bidah will find that their proponents presented them in attractive forms and clothed them in expressions that are readily accepted by those unaware of their true reality. 

The aim of the discussion is that it is not permissible for him (the Mufti) to issue fatwas through prohibited stratagems (tricks), neither assist nor direct (people towards them), thus, opposing Allah in His command. Allah, The Most High, said:

وَمَكَرُوا۟ وَمَكَرَ ٱللَّهُ وَٱللَّهُ خَيْرُ ٱلْمَٰكِرِينَ

And they plotted, but Allāh too planned (to foil their plan), and Allāh is the best of planners. [Aal Imran 54]

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَمَكَرُوا۟ مَكْرًا وَمَكَرْنَا مَكْرًا وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
فَٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ مَكْرِهِمْ أَنَّا دَمَّرْنَٰهُمْ وَقَوْمَهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ

So they plotted a plot, and We planned a plan, while they perceived not. Then see how was the end of their plot! Verily! We destroyed them and their nation, all together. [An-Naml 50–51]

Allah, The Most High, said:

وَيَمْكُرُونَ وَيَمْكُرُ ٱللَّهُ وَٱللَّهُ خَيْرُ ٱلْمَٰكِرِينَ

They were plotting and Allah too was planning, and Allah is the Best of planners. [Al-Anfaal 30]

Allah said:

وَلَا يَحِيقُ ٱلْمَكْرُ ٱلسَّيِّئُ إِلَّا بِأَهْلِهِۦ

But the evil plot encompasses only him who makes it. [Fatir 43]

Allah stated regarding the perpetrators of forbidden trickery (stratagems):

وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْتُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱعْتَدَوْا۟ مِنكُمْ فِى ٱلسَّبْتِ فَقُلْنَا لَهُمْ كُونُوا۟ قِرَدَةً خَٰسِـِٔينَ
فَجَعَلْنَٰهَا نَكَٰلًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهَا وَمَا خَلْفَهَا وَمَوْعِظَةً لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ

And indeed you knew those amongst you who transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath (i.e. Saturday). We said to them: “Be you monkeys, despised and rejected.” So We made this punishment an example to their own and to succeeding generations and a lesson to those who are pious. [Al-Baqarah 65–66]

The Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Evil plotting and deception are in the Fire.” [Sahih Al-Jami 6408]

It is reported in the Sahihayn that he, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “May Allah curse the Jews (i.e. those among them who deviated): fat was forbidden to them, so they melted it down, sold it, and consumed its price.” [Muslim 1582]

Ayyub al-Sakhtiyani said: “They try to deceive Allah as though they were deceiving children.” And some of the early righteous predecessors said: “Whoever possesses these three traits, they will haunt him: evil plotting, transgression, and breaking pledges (or treachery).” Allah said:

وَلَا يَحِيقُ الْمَكْرُ السَّيِّئُ إِلَّا بِأَهْلِهِ

But the evil plot encompasses only him who makes it. [Fatir 43]

إِنَّمَا بَغْيُكُمْ عَلَىٰ أَنْفُسِكُمْ

Your rebellion (disobedience to Allah) is only against your own selves. [Yunus 23]

فَمَنْ نَكَثَ فَإِنَّمَا يَنْكُثُ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِ

Then whosoever breaks his pledge only breaks it to his own harm. [Al-Fath 10]

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “These (unlawful) stratagems (or tricks) that these people devised — they turned to the Sunan and found ways to undermine them. They approached what they had been told was forbidden, then devised tricks concerning it until they made it lawful.” He said: “How filthy they are” — meaning the perpetrators of (unlawful) stratagems (tricks). They employ tricks to nullify the Sunan of Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

A paraphrased excerpt from Dhakhr al-Muḥtī min Ādāb al-Muftī pages 121-124. 1st Edition 1441 (2020). Publisher: Maktabah at-Tawbah. NB: NB: We left out the ahadith in the text that Imam Al-Albani, may Allah have mercy upon him, declared weak.

 Another issue addressed by Al-Allamah Siddiq, may Allah have mercy upon him.

Desire-Based Fatwas for Friends, Allies and Loved Ones