❖ Is Everything Permissible If There Is No Evidence of Prohibition? – A Foundational Clarification ❖
Source: Fatāwā Shaykh al-Ḥadīth Mubārakpūrī, Volume 1, Page 153
If there is no evidence for the prohibition of a matter, can it be declared permissible?
What is the evidence for such permissibility?
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā baʿd!
It cannot be stated as a universal principle that:
“Whatever lacks a prohibition is automatically permissible.”
However, with regard to worldly matters and financial transactions, the general legal principle in Islam is:
“The original ruling regarding worldly matters is permissibility (ibāḥah), unless there exists a textual (naṣṣī) or inferred (ijtihādī) proof to the contrary.”
That is, in matters of social, civil, or commercial dealings, if there is no clear Shar‘i evidence prohibiting a particular action, then:
✔ The matter is considered permissible,
✔ And acting upon it is allowed without any sin.
"وما سكت عنه فهو عفو"
“That which Allah has remained silent about is pardoned.”
This indicates that in the absence of prohibition, such matters fall under pardon and permissibility.
This principle does not apply in matters of ʿibādāt (acts of worship and obedience).
➤ Every act of worship must have:
◈ A valid Shar‘i reference,
◈ Whether general or specific,
◈ And whether explicit or implicit.
In other words, no act of worship can be performed unless it is proven by the Qur’an, Sunnah, or valid ijtihād based on those sources.
This is a foundational principle in Islamic jurisprudence.
For deeper understanding, one should refer to books of Uṣūl al-Fiqh (Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence) where it is discussed in greater detail and depth.
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
Source: Fatāwā Shaykh al-Ḥadīth Mubārakpūrī, Volume 1, Page 153❖ Question:
If there is no evidence for the prohibition of a matter, can it be declared permissible?
What is the evidence for such permissibility?
✔ Answer:
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā baʿd!
It cannot be stated as a universal principle that:
“Whatever lacks a prohibition is automatically permissible.”
However, with regard to worldly matters and financial transactions, the general legal principle in Islam is:
“The original ruling regarding worldly matters is permissibility (ibāḥah), unless there exists a textual (naṣṣī) or inferred (ijtihādī) proof to the contrary.”
❖ Explanation:
That is, in matters of social, civil, or commercial dealings, if there is no clear Shar‘i evidence prohibiting a particular action, then:
✔ The matter is considered permissible,
✔ And acting upon it is allowed without any sin.
Qur’anic Evidence:
"وما سكت عنه فهو عفو"
“That which Allah has remained silent about is pardoned.”
This indicates that in the absence of prohibition, such matters fall under pardon and permissibility.
❖ Exception: Acts of Worship
This principle does not apply in matters of ʿibādāt (acts of worship and obedience).
➤ Every act of worship must have:
◈ A valid Shar‘i reference,
◈ Whether general or specific,
◈ And whether explicit or implicit.
In other words, no act of worship can be performed unless it is proven by the Qur’an, Sunnah, or valid ijtihād based on those sources.
Final Note:
This is a foundational principle in Islamic jurisprudence.
For deeper understanding, one should refer to books of Uṣūl al-Fiqh (Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence) where it is discussed in greater detail and depth.
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
