In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

وَلَقَدۡ بَعَثۡنَا فِى ڪُلِّ أُمَّةٍ۬ رَّسُولاً أَنِ ٱعۡبُدُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱجۡتَنِبُواْ ٱلطَّـٰغُوتَ‌ۖ فَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ هَدَى ٱللَّهُ وَمِنۡهُم مَّنۡ حَقَّتۡ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلضَّلَـٰلَةُ‌ۚ فَسِيرُواْ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَٱنظُرُواْ كَيۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُكَذِّبِينَ

And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): “Worship Allah (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taghut (all false deities, etc. i.e. do not worship Taghut besides Allah).” Then of them were some whom Allah guided and of them were some upon whom the straying was justified. So travel through the land and see what was the end of those who denied (the truth). [Surah An-Nahl. Verse 36]

Quote: Excavation coordinator Professor Gökhan Coşkun of Dumlupınar University said: “These are important findings for us, as they show that the polytheistic belief culture of ancient Greece existed for a long time without losing its importance in the Roman era,” he said. “The findings suggest that there may have been a sculpture workshop in the region.” https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/statue-heads-of-greek-deities-found-in-turkeys-aizanoi/news

An Example of How The Messengers Debated With The Misguided Nations

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

وَلَقَدۡ ءَاتَيۡنَآ إِبۡرَٲهِيمَ رُشۡدَهُ ۥ مِن قَبۡلُ وَكُنَّا بِهِۦ عَـٰلِمِينَ (٥١) إِذۡ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوۡمِهِۦ مَا هَـٰذِهِ ٱلتَّمَاثِيلُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنتُمۡ لَهَا عَـٰكِفُونَ (٥٢) قَالُواْ وَجَدۡنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا لَهَا عَـٰبِدِينَ (٥٣) قَالَ لَقَدۡ كُنتُمۡ أَنتُمۡ وَءَابَآؤُڪُمۡ فِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ (٥٤) قَالُوٓاْ أَجِئۡتَنَا بِٱلۡحَقِّ أَمۡ أَنتَ مِنَ ٱللَّـٰعِبِينَ (٥٥) قَالَ بَل رَّبُّكُمۡ رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَهُنَّ وَأَنَا۟ عَلَىٰ ذَٲلِكُم مِّنَ ٱلشَّـٰهِدِينَ (٥٦) وَتَٱللَّهِ لَأَڪِيدَنَّ أَصۡنَـٰمَكُم بَعۡدَ أَن تُوَلُّواْ مُدۡبِرِينَ (٥٧) فَجَعَلَهُمۡ جُذَٲذًا إِلَّا ڪَبِيرً۬ا لَّهُمۡ لَعَلَّهُمۡ إِلَيۡهِ يَرۡجِعُونَ (٥٨) قَالُواْ مَن فَعَلَ هَـٰذَا بِـَٔالِهَتِنَآ إِنَّهُ ۥ لَمِنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ (٥٩) قَالُواْ سَمِعۡنَا فَتً۬ى يَذۡكُرُهُمۡ يُقَالُ لَهُ ۥۤ إِبۡرَٲهِيمُ (٦٠) قَالُواْ فَأۡتُواْ بِهِۦ عَلَىٰٓ أَعۡيُنِ ٱلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَشۡهَدُونَ (٦١) قَالُوٓاْ ءَأَنتَ فَعَلۡتَ هَـٰذَا بِـَٔالِهَتِنَا يَـٰٓإِبۡرَٲهِيمُ (٦٢) قَالَ بَلۡ فَعَلَهُ ۥ ڪَبِيرُهُمۡ هَـٰذَا فَسۡـَٔلُوهُمۡ إِن ڪَانُواْ يَنطِقُونَ (٦٣) فَرَجَعُوٓاْ إِلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ فَقَالُوٓاْ إِنَّكُمۡ أَنتُمُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ (٦٤) ثُمَّ نُكِسُواْ عَلَىٰ رُءُوسِهِمۡ لَقَدۡ عَلِمۡتَ مَا هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ يَنطِقُونَ (٦٥) قَالَ أَفَتَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَنفَعُڪُمۡ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَلَا يَضُرُّكُمۡ (٦٦) أُفٍّ۬ لَّكُمۡ وَلِمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ (٦٧) قَالُواْ حَرِّقُوهُ وَٱنصُرُوٓاْ ءَالِهَتَكُمۡ إِن ڪُنتُمۡ فَـٰعِلِينَ (٦٨) قُلۡنَا يَـٰنَارُ كُونِى بَرۡدً۬ا وَسَلَـٰمًا عَلَىٰٓ إِبۡرَٲهِيمَ (٦٩) وَأَرَادُواْ بِهِۦ كَيۡدً۬ا فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمُ ٱلۡأَخۡسَرِينَ (٧٠) وَنَجَّيۡنَـٰهُ وَلُوطًا إِلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ ٱلَّتِى بَـٰرَكۡنَا فِيہَا لِلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ (٧١) وَوَهَبۡنَا لَهُ ۥۤ إِسۡحَـٰقَ وَيَعۡقُوبَ نَافِلَةً۬‌ۖ وَكُلاًّ۬ جَعَلۡنَا صَـٰلِحِينَ (٧٢) وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمۡ أَٮِٕمَّةً۬ يَہۡدُونَ بِأَمۡرِنَا وَأَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡهِمۡ فِعۡلَ ٱلۡخَيۡرَٲتِ وَإِقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَإِيتَآءَ ٱلزَّڪَوٰةِ‌ۖ وَكَانُواْ لَنَا عَـٰبِدِينَ

And indeed We bestowed aforetime on Ibrahim (Abraham) his (portion of) guidance, and We were Well-Acquainted with him (as to his Belief in the Oneness of Allah, etc.). When he said to his father and his people: “What are these images, to which you are devoted?” They said: ”We found our fathers worshipping them.” He said: “Indeed you and your fathers have been in manifest error.” They said: “Have you brought us the truth, or are you one of those who play about?” He said: “Nay, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Who created them and of that I am one of the witnesses. “And by Allah, I shall plot a plan (to destroy) your idols after you have gone away and turned your backs.” So he broke them to pieces, (all) except the biggest of them, that they might turn to it. (See “Footnote A” at the end of the article)

They said: “Who has done this to our aliha (gods)? He must indeed be one of the wrong-doers.” They said: “We heard a young man talking (against) them who is called Ibrahim (Abraham).” They said: “Then bring him before the eyes of the people, that they may testify.” They said: “Are you the one who has done this to our gods, O Ibrahim (Abraham)?” [Ibrahim (Abraham)] said: “Nay, this one, the biggest of them (idols) did it. Ask them, if they can speak!” So they turned to themselves and said: “Verily, you are the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers).” Then they turned to themselves (their first thought and said): “Indeed you [Ibrahim (Abraham)] know well that these (idols) speak not!” [Ibrahim (Abraham)] said: “Do you then worship besides Allah, things that can neither profit you, nor harm you? “Fie upon you, and upon that which you worship besides Allah! Have you then no sense?” They said: “Burn him and help your aliha (gods), if you will be doing.” We (Allah) said: “O fire! Be you coolness and safety for Ibrahim (Abraham)!” And they wanted to harm him, but We made them the worst losers. And We rescued him and Lout (Lot) to the land which We have blessed for the ‘Alamin (mankind and jinns). And We bestowed upon him Ishaque (Isaac), and (a grandson) Ya’qub (Jacob). Each one We made righteous. And We made them leaders, guiding (mankind) by Our Command, and We inspired in them the doing of good deeds, performing Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and the giving of Zakat and of Us (Alone) they were worshippers. [Surah Al-Anbiyaa. Verses 51-73]

Quote: The excavations in the ancient city, which was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2012 and located 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the city center, are being continued by the Kütahya Museum Directorate. https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/statue-heads-of-greek-deities-found-in-turkeys-aizanoi/news

Clarification Regarding UNESCO

One of UNESCO’s visions – as stated on their website – is to “Promote cultural heritage and the equal dignity of all cultures”. Question: What is the ruling on cultural heritage in Islam? Allaah [The Most High] said:

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلنَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقۡنَـٰكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ۬ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰكُمۡ شُعُوبً۬ا وَقَبَآٮِٕلَ لِتَعَارَفُوٓاْ‌ۚ إِنَّ أَڪۡرَمَكُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتۡقَٮٰكُمۡ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ۬

O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has the most fear of Allaah. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware. [Surah Al-Hujuraat. Verse 13]

[لِتَعَارَفُوا – that you may know one another]: Meaning: So that you may know one another and how close you all are to one another in lineage, but not out of boastfulness. Then Allaah informed us that the most elevated amongst them [i.e. the children of Aadam] are those who fear Allaah the most. The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said: “Learn your lineages so that you can maintain ties of kinship. (1)

Ascription to a tribe and a nation is affirmed in Islaam. The companions of the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] used to ascribe themselves to their tribes and their people in the presence of the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him], and he never disapproved of that. (2)

The Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said: Indeed, Allaah [The Most High] has removed from you the pride of the pre-Islamic period and its boasting about ancestors. One is only a pious believer or a wretched sinner. You are sons of Adam and Adam (was created from) dust. Let the people abandon boasting about their ancestors, for they are merely fuel in Jahannam; or they will become more insignificant in (the sight of) Allah than the beetle which rolls dung with its nose. (3)

Customs and Cultural Practices

Imaam Ash-Shaatibee [may Allaah have mercy upon him] stated in Al-Muwaafaqaat that customs are many different types- some are good and others are corrupt. The good customs are those that neither oppose the Sharee’ah texts nor lead to losing an affair deem to be beneficial by the Sharee’ah, nor lead to an affair which the Sharee’ah deems to be corrupt. As for the corrupt customs, they are those that oppose the evidences in the Sharee’ah or some of the principles of the Sharee’ah, such as some of the customary dealings in usury and those deeds deemed to be evil by the Sharee’ah which the people engage in during occasions of happiness (or rejoicing etc). (4]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Hardship is only encountered by the one who abandons the Ma’loofaat and Awaa’id [i.e. those habitual things, deeds, practices, customs etc] for other than the sake of Allaah. As for the one who abandons them truthfully and sincerely from the bottom of his heart- for the sake of Allaah alone- then indeed he does not encounter any difficulty due to abandoning them except in the beginning, in order that he is tested as to whether he is truthful or untruthful in abandoning them? If he exercises a little bit of patience, its [i.e. that abandonment] will alternate into pleasure. Ibn Seereen said that he heard Shurayh swearing by Allaah that “A servant does not abandon anything for the sake of Allaah and finds a loss in that.” And their statement [i.e. the people of knowledge] that ‘whoever abandons something for the Sake of Allaah, Allaah will replace it with what is better.” This is true. This compensation is of different types and the best of that which a person is compensated with is: the desire and yearning to get close to Allaah, seeking after Allaah’s pleasure, love of Allaah, and the heart granted-by way of it- tranquility, strength, enthusiasm, happiness and being pleased with its Lord [The Most High]. (5)

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: It is obligated on every Muslim that he does not depend on custom; rather he presents it to the pure Islamic legislation [to be judged], so whatever the Islamic legislation affirms is permissible and whatever it does not affirm is impermissible. The customs of the people are not proof to determine the lawfulness of anything. All the customs of the people in their countries or tribes must be presented to the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] for judgement, so whatever Allaah and His Messenger made permissible is permissible, and whatever they forbid, then it is obligatory to abandon it even if it is the custom of the people. (6)

Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: The customs cannot make something that is not legislated (in the divine revelation) as something legislated, because of Allaah’s statement: [وَلَيۡسَ ٱلۡبِرُّ بِأَن تَأۡتُواْ ٱلۡبُيُوتَ مِن ظُهُورِهَا – It is not Al-Birr (piety, righteousness, etc.) that you enter the houses from the back] [Surah Al-Baqarah. Aayah 189], despite the fact that it was something they took as their custom and considered it to be an act of righteousness. Whoever takes something as a custom and believes that it is an act of righteousness, then it should be presented to Allaah’s divine legislation. (7)

Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] also said: Extremism in related to customs is stringent adherence to old customs and not diverting to what is better than them. As for if the customs are equal in benefit [i.e. the ones judged to be permissible by the divine legislation], then a person remaining upon what he is upon would be better than going along with the new (or emerging) customs. (8)

Therefore, the Muslim PSHE or RE teacher should beware of using UNESCO as a reference point when speaking about cultures; rather he or she must make very clear – to the Muslim students and pupils – the correct approach in this affair as stated in the infallible divine revelation [The Qur’aan and authentic Sunnah]. This vision of UNESCO necessitates that the Shirk and un-Islamic practices found in cultures are given the same virtue and dignity, even though Allaah said:

حُنَفَآءَ لِلَّهِ غَيۡرَ مُشۡرِكِينَ بِهِۦ‌ۚ وَمَن يُشۡرِكۡ بِٱللَّهِ فَكَأَنَّمَا خَرَّ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَتَخۡطَفُهُ ٱلطَّيۡرُ أَوۡ تَهۡوِى بِهِ ٱلرِّيحُ فِى مَكَانٍ۬ سَحِيقٍ۬

Hunafaa’ Lillaah [i.e. worship none but Allaah], not associating partners [in worship, etc.] with Him; and whoever associates partners to Allaah, it is as if he had fallen from the sky, and the birds had snatched him, or the wind had thrown him to a far-off place. [Surah Al-Hajj. Verse 31]
[حُنَفَآءَ لِلَّهِ ]- Meaning: turn to Allaah (in complete submission), worship Allaah alone and turn away from other than that. [غَيۡرَ مُشۡرِكِينَ بِهِۦ‌ۚ – not associating partners (in worship, etc.) with Him]; [وَمَن يُشۡرِكۡ بِٱللَّهِ – and whoever associates partners to Allaah], then [فَكَأَنَّمَا خَرَّ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَتَخۡطَفُهُ ٱلطَّيۡرُ أَوۡ تَهۡوِى بِهِ ٱلرِّيحُ فِى مَكَانٍ۬ سَحِيقٍ۬ – it is as if he had fallen from the sky, and the birds had snatched him, or the wind had thrown him to a far off place].

This is the situation of the one the who ascribes (or associates a partner to Allaah), because sound creed is like the sky- protected and raised high, so whoever abandons sound creed is like one who has fallen from the sky and is exposed to evil consequences and disasters- snatched by birds that will rip his limbs. Likewise, when the Mushrik (one who ascribed partners to Allaah) abandons the protection of sound creed, the devils snatch him from every direction and rip him apart, ruining both his religion and worldly life [i.e. because this worldly life is a place to perform righteous deeds for entry into paradise]. (9)

Allaah made it known in this verse that indeed the one who associates partners with Allaah and dies without repenting, then indeed he has fallen into destruction – neither has a way out of it nor can he be saved. He resembles someone who falls from the sky and lands on the earth and thus all his body is rip apart, the birds snatch them away and the wind throws them to a far-off place due to the intense (manner in which the) wind blew his ripped body parts. So, whoever is described as one in such a situation, then indeed neither can he hope for a way out nor can he desire safety; rather he is definitely destroyed, because what normally happens is that the one who falls from the sky and lands on the earth, he does not reach the earth except that his body parts are ripped apart. And (if) the birds snatch his body parts and disperse with them, or the wind throws him to a far-away place, then this is an inevitable destruction and there is no way of avoiding it.

And that which is established in this noble verse – regarding the fact that the one who associates partners with Allaah is destroyed – has also been mentioned clearly in another place in the Qur’aan, such as the statement of Allaah: [إِنَّهُ ۥ مَن يُشۡرِكۡ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدۡ حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيۡهِ ٱلۡجَنَّةَ وَمَأۡوَٮٰهُ ٱلنَّارُ‌ۖ – Verily, whosoever sets up partners in worship with Allah, then Allah has forbidden Paradise for him, and the Fire will be his abode]. [Surah Al-Maa’idah. Aayah 72]

Allaah said: [إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَغۡفِرُ أَن يُشۡرَكَ بِهِ -Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with him in worship]. [Surah An-Nisaa Aayah 48]

And indeed there are other Aayaat (showing) that this inescapable destruction is related to the one who dies upon shirk and did not repent. As for the one who repents before death, then indeed Allaah forgives Him because Islaam [i.e. submission to Allaah with Tawheed] wipes away that which was before it [i.e. shirk]. There are a number of verses that indicate to this, such as the statement of Allaah: [قُل لِّلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُوٓاْ إِن يَنتَهُواْ يُغۡفَرۡ لَهُم مَّا قَدۡ سَلَفَ – Say to those who have disbelieved, if they cease (from disbelief) their past will be forgiven]. [Surah Al-Anfaal. Aayah 38]

Allaah [The Exalted] said:

وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَدۡعُونَ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ وَلَا يَقۡتُلُونَ ٱلنَّفۡسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَا يَزۡنُونَ‌ۚ وَمَن يَفۡعَلۡ ذَٲلِكَ يَلۡقَ أَثَامً۬ا يُضَـٰعَفۡ لَهُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَـٰمَةِ وَيَخۡلُدۡ فِيهِۦ مُهَانًا
إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلاً۬ صَـٰلِحً۬ا فَأُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ يُبَدِّلُ ٱللَّهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمۡ حَسَنَـٰتٍ۬‌ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورً۬ا رَّحِيمً۬ا

And those who invoke not any other ilah (god) along with Allah, nor kill such life as Allah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse and whoever does this shall receive the punishment. The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace; Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds, for those, Allah will change their sins into good deeds. [Surah Al-Furqaan. Verses 68-70]

Allaah said: [وَإِنِّى لَغَفَّارٌ۬ لِّمَن تَابَ وَءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحً۬ا – And verily, I am indeed Forgiving to him who repents, believes (in My Oneness, and associates none in worship with Me) and does righteous good deeds]. [Surah Taahaa. Aayah 82] However, if one’s repentance is at the time of death [i.e. when the soul reaches the throat], it will not benefit him. (10) Ibn Umar [may Allaah be pleased with him and his father] said that the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Verily, Allah accepts the repentance of his servants, as long as the soul has not reached the throat”. [Sunan At-Tirmidhee 3537] Abu Hurairah [may Allaah be pleased with him] said that Alalah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “When three things appear, faith will not benefit one who has not previously believed or has derived no good from his faith: the rising of the sun in its place of setting, the Dajjal, and the beast of the earth”. [Saheeh Muslim. Number 158]

Read More Here Regarding Types of Shirk: Al-Allaamah Ahmad an-Najmee’s Kitaab at-Tawheed Chapter 3: Fear of Falling into Shirk – By Shaikh Abu Khadeejah:

Ahmad an-Najmee’s Kitaab at-Tawheed Chapter 3: Fear of Falling into Shirk

Therefore, the Muslim PSHE or RE teacher should be careful when presenting this topic regarding cultural heritage because even though there is neither compulsion in religion nor is a Muslim allowed to oppress anyone, but also there is no such thing as “equal dignity of all cultures”, rather the only dignified way of life is the one that agrees with the final infallible revelation [The Qur’aan and aunthetic Sunnah]. Read – One of The Corrupt Goals Behind The Attention Given to Artefacts- By Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadee:

One of The Corrupt Goals Behind The Attention Given to Artefacts- By Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadee

So, this vision of UNESCO is founded upon a principle that will uproot sound Walaa Wal Baraa. Read here: Al-Walaa Wal Baraa (Loyalty and Disavowal for the Sake of Allaah): https://salaficentre.com/2021/02/07/al-walaa-wal-baraa-loyalty-and-disavowal-is-a-concept-of-modern-salafi-islam-brief-rebuttal-against-this-absurd-claim-of-some-of-the-bald-faced-liars-amongst-the-demagogues-ideologues-and-rabble/

Finally, even though Muslims are commanded to reject shirk, rebut shirk and keep away from all its manifestations (its beliefs, creeds, practices, ideologies, thoughts, views, opinions etc), but they are also commanded to live peacefully with others. Must read: Living With Non-Muslims In The West: With Fine Conduct- By Shaikh Abu Khadeejah: https://www.abukhadeejah.com/living-with-non-muslims-in-the-west-with-fine-conduct/

Footnote A: Prophet Ibraaheem [peace be upon him] broke the idols, but this does not mean that we take the law into our own hands when we see un-Islamic practices; rather we adhere to the law of the land we are living in. Question to Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allah have mercy upon him]: Is enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil by the hand obligated on all Muslims, or is it limited to those in authority and their deputies?

Answer: Stopping wrong is obligated on all Muslims according to their ability, because the Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] “Anyone of you who sees evil [i.e. that which is declared an evil deed by Islam], let them stop it with their hand; if he cannot, then with their tongue; and if they cannot, then with his heart, and that is the weakest of Imaan’’. [Muslim, Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi & others]

However, stopping evil by the hand must be based on ability and should not result in greater corruption or evil. A man has the right to rectify matters with his hand in his home [i.e. based on what the law of the land allows him]; a manager has the authority to make changes with the hand within the organization they are responsible for, in accordance with the instructions that were given to them [i.e. the authority given to them by the state authorities]; otherwise, people should not change with their hand anything they are not authorized to change. If they do make changes in matters that they have no authority over, this will result in more evil and great corruption between them and the people and between the people and the state. In this case they should stop evil with their tongue (by speaking out). They may say: ‘’O such and such! Fear Allaah! This is not permissible; this is Haraam, or This is obligated on you,’’ and clarify it with evidence from Sharee’ah. [NB: In the UK, objecting to certain behaviour can be viewed as harassment or verbal abuse, therefore a Muslim should be aware of what the law allows him before he says or does anything whilst living in the West]. As for changing matters with the hand, this should be done where one has authority, such as one’s home [i.e. within what the law allows], with those under one’s responsibility, or those authorized by the ruler, such as organizations given permission and authority to enjoin Good. They should make changes in accordance with the authority they have been given- in the way prescribed by the Sharee’ah, without exceeding their jurisdiction. The same applies to the governor of a city; he should make changes with his hand, in accordance with the instructions he has. [Fataawa Ibn Baaz 8/208]

We ask Allaah for safety Aameen.

Ref 1: Reported by Imaam Tirmidhee (rahimahullaah) Number 1979 & declared authentic by Imaam Albani (rahimahullaah) in Sahih Sunan At-Tirmidhee]

[Ref2: An Excerpt from ‘Silsilah Ar-Rasaa’il Al-Manhajiyyah Fin-Nus’hi Wal Irshaad Wat-Taw’iyah’ pages 47-49’. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 3: Reported by Imaam Abu Dawud (rahimahullaah)’ Hadith Number 5116. Declared ‘Hasan’ by Shaikh Albaani (rahimahullaah) in his checking of Sunan Abu Dawud. Pages -766-767.Publisher: Maktabah Al-Ma’aarif’ 1st edition]

[Ref 4: Al-Muwaafaqaat 2/283]

[Ref 5: Al-Fawaa’id page 166]

[Ref 6: Majmoo Al-Fataawas 6/510]

[Ref: 7: Tafseer Surah Al-Baqarah 2/299]

[Ref 8: Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 7/7]

[Ref 9. An Excerpt from ‘Tafsir As-Sadi’. Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 10: An Excerpt from ‘Adwaa Al-Bayaan. Tafseer Surah Al-Hajj. Aayah 31. Slightly paraphrased]