⚖ Shariah Ruling on Objecting to Quranic Verses During Salah
❖ Question:
How should one advise a person who, during Salah, reacts to the Imam's recitation of:
"إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ"
by saying: "Molvi Sahib, lead the prayer, not politics"?
Answer by: Fadhilat al-‘Alim Khidr Hayat (ḥafiẓahullāh)
This kind of behavior contains multiple serious transgressions, including the following:
① Disrespecting Salah, the Masjid, and the Quran:
◈ The Noble Quran is the speech of Allah, and its recitation during Salah is an essential act of worship.
◈ Objecting to it could amount to mocking sacred religious symbols — a highly dangerous act.
② Joking in a Manner That Involves Falsehood:
◈ Such statements are often made in jest or mockery, but Islamic law severely warns against lying, even for humor.
◈ Since such an incident seems unlikely in reality, the statement may be both a lie and an act of mockery.
③ Blurring the Line Between Religion and Politics:
◈ Nowadays, some individuals confuse religion with politics, and anything that opposes their mindset is instantly labeled as political — even if it is the Word of Allah!
◈ It is essential to correct such thinking to prevent the fundamental tenets of Islam from being politicized.
✔ The person should be gently and wisely advised that mocking the verses of the Quran or the words of Salah is an extremely perilous matter.
وَلَئِنْ سَأَلْتَهُمْ لَيَقُولُنَّ إِنَّمَا كُنَّا نَخُوضُ وَنَلْعَبُ ۚ قُلْ أَبِاللَّهِ وَآيَاتِهِ وَرَسُولِهِ كُنْتُمْ تَسْتَهْزِئُونَ لَا تَعْتَذِرُوا قَدْ كَفَرْتُمْ بَعْدَ إِيمَانِكُمْ
(Surah At-Tawbah: 65-66)
“And if you ask them, they will surely say, ‘We were only conversing and playing.’ Say, ‘Was it Allah, His verses, and His Messenger you were mocking?’ Make no excuse; you have disbelieved after your belief.”
④ Considering Ignorance as a Temporary Excuse:
◈ Scholars usually regard such individuals as excused due to ignorance, but they must immediately be invited to repentance and correction.
◈ If someone knowingly repeats such behavior and refuses to refrain despite counsel, his faith may come under serious question.
❖ Question:
How should one advise a person who, during Salah, reacts to the Imam's recitation of:
"إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ"
by saying: "Molvi Sahib, lead the prayer, not politics"?
Answer by: Fadhilat al-‘Alim Khidr Hayat (ḥafiẓahullāh)
This kind of behavior contains multiple serious transgressions, including the following:
❖ Mockery and Disrespect of the Sacred Symbols of Islam
① Disrespecting Salah, the Masjid, and the Quran:
◈ The Noble Quran is the speech of Allah, and its recitation during Salah is an essential act of worship.
◈ Objecting to it could amount to mocking sacred religious symbols — a highly dangerous act.
❖ Lying to Elicit Laughter
② Joking in a Manner That Involves Falsehood:
◈ Such statements are often made in jest or mockery, but Islamic law severely warns against lying, even for humor.
◈ Since such an incident seems unlikely in reality, the statement may be both a lie and an act of mockery.
❖ Viewing Quranic Verses Through a Political Lens
③ Blurring the Line Between Religion and Politics:
◈ Nowadays, some individuals confuse religion with politics, and anything that opposes their mindset is instantly labeled as political — even if it is the Word of Allah!
◈ It is essential to correct such thinking to prevent the fundamental tenets of Islam from being politicized.
❖ Method of Advising Such a Person
✔ The person should be gently and wisely advised that mocking the verses of the Quran or the words of Salah is an extremely perilous matter.
وَلَئِنْ سَأَلْتَهُمْ لَيَقُولُنَّ إِنَّمَا كُنَّا نَخُوضُ وَنَلْعَبُ ۚ قُلْ أَبِاللَّهِ وَآيَاتِهِ وَرَسُولِهِ كُنْتُمْ تَسْتَهْزِئُونَ لَا تَعْتَذِرُوا قَدْ كَفَرْتُمْ بَعْدَ إِيمَانِكُمْ
(Surah At-Tawbah: 65-66)
“And if you ask them, they will surely say, ‘We were only conversing and playing.’ Say, ‘Was it Allah, His verses, and His Messenger you were mocking?’ Make no excuse; you have disbelieved after your belief.”
❖ Excuse of Ignorance
④ Considering Ignorance as a Temporary Excuse:
◈ Scholars usually regard such individuals as excused due to ignorance, but they must immediately be invited to repentance and correction.
◈ If someone knowingly repeats such behavior and refuses to refrain despite counsel, his faith may come under serious question.
