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A Statement on the Responsibility of both the Voter and the Candidate
Author : The General Iftaa` Department
Date Added : 21-02-2023

 

All perfect praise be to Allah The Lord of The Worlds. May Allah`s Peace and Blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

 

Parliamentary elections are a legitimate means of selecting MPs who represent the nation, act on its behalf in overseeing the performance of the government, and enact laws to serve citizens and advance their interests hence represent one of the mechanisms of the Shura (Consultation) rule established by Sharia (Islamic Law).

 

The candidate's responsibility Before Allah is a great one, so he/she must sense its weight and realize its importance to be able to deliver it honestly and sincerely for the good of the country and nation. Allah The Almighty Says {What means}: "We did indeed offer the Trust to the Heavens and the Earth and the Mountains; but they refused to undertake it, being afraid thereof: but man undertook it;- He was indeed unjust and foolish." {Al-Ahzab/72}.

 

It is forbidden for a candidate to influence the will of the voters through money and bribes. Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-Aas (May Allah Be Pleased with him): "Allah's Messenger (PBUH) cursed the one who bribes and the one who takes bribes." [Reported by Abu Dawood].

 

Similarly, casting a vote is also a great responsibility, which a voter should deliver honestly and sincerely while realizing that he/she will be held accountable for it before Almighty Allah on the Day of Judgment. Allah The Almighty Says {What means}: "And they make into females angels who themselves serve God. Did they witness their creation? Their evidence will be recorded, and they will be called to account!" {Az-Zukhruf/23}.

In order for the voter to be cleared from liability before Allah and perform this great obligation (Voting) to the fullest, two things has to be done:

 

First: choosing the fittest candidate to deliver this great mission, namely the best in terms of knowledge and specialty and the most trusted over the interests of the country and citizens. Abu Dharr told that he asked Allah's Messenger to make him a governor, but he struck him on his shoulder with his hand and said: "You are weak, Abu Dharr, and it is a trust which will be a cause of shame and regret on the day of resurrection except for him who undertakes it as it ought to be undertaken and fulfils his duty in it." {Transmitted by Muslim}.

 

Second: the voter shall freely cast his/her vote, as dictated by his/her religion and conscience, without being influenced by gifts or donations because casting a vote is tantamount to casting a testimony. Therefore, this testimony isn`t for sale or bargain, and such money is unlawful and the voter who takes it will be held to account for it on the Day of Judgment. Allah The Almighty Says {What means}: "O ye who believe! Eat not up your property among yourselves in vanities." {An-Nisaa`/29}.

This is also dishonesty and mischief on the earth. Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said: "When honesty is lost, then wait for the Hour." It was asked, "How will honesty be lost, O Allah's Messenger (PBUH?" He said: "When authority is given to those who do not deserve it, then wait for the Hour." {Transmitted by Bukhari}.

 

In addition, making the voter take an oath to cast his/her vote in favor of a certain candidate is impermissible for the former and the latter, and it isn`t allowed for anyone to force voters to do so, and oaths weren`t legislated for this in the first place. Allah The Almighty Says {What means}: "And make not God’s (name) an excuse in your oaths against doing good, or acting rightly, or making peace between persons; for God is One Who heareth and knoweth all things." {Al-Baqarah/224}.

 

One who has taken such an oath should atone it and elect the fittest for this life and the next. I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) say: "He who has taken an oath (to do something) but found something else better than that (which brings him closer to Allah), then he should do that which is better in piety (and he should expiate for the breaking an Oath)." [Muslim].

 

We ask Almighty Allah to Guide us to the straight path and Help us do what is good of our country and nation. Peace and blessings to you.

 

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is it permissible to pay the Fitr Zakah (obligatory charity) of Ramadan on behalf of a dead person?

The Fitr Zakah of Ramadhaan isn`t due on one who had passed away before the sunset of the last day of Ramadan. And Allah Knows Best.

How can I love the prayer (Salah) and start praying?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Love for the prayer (Salah) comes when you realize that this world is fleeting and the Hereafter is everlasting. Your prayer is the righteous deed that will comfort you in your grave and be your salvation before Allah in the Hereafter. Do you not wish to attain tranquility in this life and Paradise in the next? Reflect upon your state and do not delay, for life does not wait. We ask Allah to grant us and you steadfastness (Thabat).

What is the ruling of Islamic Law regarding one who slaughters a ewe and it turns out to have been pregnant, and is it permissible to slaughter the ewe if one knows it is pregnant?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
If a person slaughters a ewe and it turns out to have been pregnant, the fetus becomes lawful (ḥalāl) by virtue of its mother's slaughter (tabaʿan li-ummihā).
It is stated in Mughnī al-Muḥtāj (Vol.6/P.158): "A fetus found dead [after the mother's slaughter], or found alive but in a state resembling that of a slaughtered animal [i.e., dying shortly after], becomes lawful — whether or not it had grown fur — provided it is found in the womb of a mother that was lawfully slaughtered, whether her slaughter was by cutting the throat, or by an arrow or hunting dog sent after her. This is based on the ḥadīth: 'The slaughtering of the fetus is [effected by] the slaughtering of its mother' [narrated by al-Tirmidhī, who graded it ḥasan, and by Ibn Ḥibbān, who graded it ṣaḥīḥ] — meaning that the slaughter which rendered the mother lawful renders the fetus lawful as well, by virtue of following her; and because the fetus is one of her constituent parts, and her slaughter renders lawful all of her parts."
This ruling differs, however, from the case of one who knows from the outset that the ewe is pregnant [and intends to sacrifice her specifically as the udḥiyah while pregnant] — in which case, according to the Shāfi'ī school, she does not fulfill the requirement of a valid sacrifice.
It is stated in Ḥāshiyat al-Bujayrimī 'alā al-Khaṭīb (Vol.4/P.335): "A pregnant animal does not fulfill the requirement [of a valid sacrifice], and this is the authoritative position (al-mu'tamad), because pregnancy diminishes the quality of the meat. As for why such an animal is nevertheless counted as complete [i.e., fully valid] in matters of zakāh, that is because the intent there is reproduction (nasl), not the quality of the meat.". And Allah, the Most High, knows best.

Is it permissible to offer mandatory prayer while sitting?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds, and may His Peace and Blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all of his family and companions.                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Standing up is a pillar in the mandatory prayer and the prayer is not valid without it unless one cannot do it. As for Nafila (supererogatory prayer), one can perform it in the state of sitting even if he/she can stand, but his/her reward is half the reward of the person who prays while standing if he/sh has no legal excuse for such an act. And Allah Knows Best.

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