Written by: Sheikh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (may Allah protect him)
Question:
What is the ruling on those who feel there is a need to amend Shariah rulings?
Answer:
All the rulings that Allah Almighty has revealed for His servants, and which have been clarified in the Qur'an or the Hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), such as prayer (Salah), fasting (Sawm), pilgrimage (Hajj), almsgiving (Zakat), inheritance, Ilaa', divorce, punishments (Hudud), and others—upon which the entire Muslim Ummah has consensus—are not subject to objection by any individual. Demanding amendments or revisions to these rulings is strictly prohibited (Haram). These rulings are firm and part of the Shariah, and they will remain applicable in every era, just as they were during the blessed time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the period of the Rightly Guided Caliphs.
Anyone who seeks to alter or amend these established and definitive Shariah rulings leaves the fold of Islam. By opposing these commands, they are, in fact, objecting to Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him), which is blatant disbelief (Kufr). According to the teachings of the Prophet (peace be upon him), such a person becomes liable for the death penalty. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"Whoever changes his religion, kill him."
[Sahih Bukhari, Book of Jihad, Chapter: Do not punish with the punishment of Allah (Hadith: 3017)]
Therefore, the new generation inclined towards modernization should confine themselves within the boundaries of Islam and not throw themselves into the Hellfire by becoming influenced by Western ideologies. Muslim parents should ensure that their children are raised according to Islamic principles so that they do not become those who object to Islam, but rather true Muslims who practice and uphold it.
Question:
What is the ruling on those who feel there is a need to amend Shariah rulings?
Answer:
All the rulings that Allah Almighty has revealed for His servants, and which have been clarified in the Qur'an or the Hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), such as prayer (Salah), fasting (Sawm), pilgrimage (Hajj), almsgiving (Zakat), inheritance, Ilaa', divorce, punishments (Hudud), and others—upon which the entire Muslim Ummah has consensus—are not subject to objection by any individual. Demanding amendments or revisions to these rulings is strictly prohibited (Haram). These rulings are firm and part of the Shariah, and they will remain applicable in every era, just as they were during the blessed time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the period of the Rightly Guided Caliphs.
Anyone who seeks to alter or amend these established and definitive Shariah rulings leaves the fold of Islam. By opposing these commands, they are, in fact, objecting to Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him), which is blatant disbelief (Kufr). According to the teachings of the Prophet (peace be upon him), such a person becomes liable for the death penalty. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"Whoever changes his religion, kill him."
[Sahih Bukhari, Book of Jihad, Chapter: Do not punish with the punishment of Allah (Hadith: 3017)]
Therefore, the new generation inclined towards modernization should confine themselves within the boundaries of Islam and not throw themselves into the Hellfire by becoming influenced by Western ideologies. Muslim parents should ensure that their children are raised according to Islamic principles so that they do not become those who object to Islam, but rather true Muslims who practice and uphold it.
