Just wondering if certain types of protests wouldn't be Islamically allowed.
E.g. Is going on a hunger strike permissible? As it may be an effective way of protesting however you are denying yourself something halal and it could lead to a massive deterioration of your health.
Or can you say it's the same as when the Muslims didnt eat because of being forced out of Makah...I really need to brush up on my history as I can't remember exactly what happened at that time 
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That isn't the same because it wasn't out of choice. They were isolated and forced out of Makkah by the Quraysh.
Anything that goes against basic Islamic principles would not be allowed, so starving yourself wouldn’t be permissible.
That's what I thought!
Have you heard of Khader Adnan?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/feb/16/khader-adnan-palestinian-hun...
People are just encouraging him to continue his hunger strike because he is standing up against the Israelis and this has made him a pride of Palestine.
Of course I support him and the Palestinians against the Israelis but what do we in such situations? How do we support them? Well ok, the best thing we can ever do is do dua.
I feel like I should tell some of those I'm following on twitter, who think this is a good idea, that it's not...
"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi
what about staying silent for a long time? like sponsored silences? is this islamically alright?
Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?
As long as there are exceptions attached e.g for prayers and if some sort of emergency arises, and people know you're doing a sponsored silence, not just being rude, then I don't see anything unIslamic about it?
"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi
But rather than putting a blanket ban, should we not look at what would happen if he was not on hunger strike?
“Before death takes away what you are given, give away whatever there is to give.”
Mawlana Jalal ud Din Rumi
And what would that be?
He wouldn't be near death!
"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi
No he wouldn't be, or may be the grave injustice that he's protesting about will continue, without any attention being drawn to it.
“Before death takes away what you are given, give away whatever there is to give.”
Mawlana Jalal ud Din Rumi
That's my question though - can you fight injustice using something that's generally wrong? Is there evidence for it in the Qur'an and sunnah?
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'As: "'Have I not been informed that you fast all day and pray all night?' I said, 'Yes, Messenger of Allah.' He said, 'Do not do it. Fast and break the fast, and sleep and pray. Your body has a right over you, your eye has a right over you, your wife has a right over you, and your visitor has a right over you. It is enough for you to fast three days out of every month. Every good action is multiplied by ten, so that is like fasting all the time.' But I was austere then and made things hard for myself. I said, 'Messenger of Allah, I feel strong.' He said, 'Fast the fast of the Prophet of Allah, Da'ud, but do not do more than that.' I said, 'What is the fast of Da'ud?' He said, 'Half the time.'" When he was old, 'Abdullah used to say, "Would that I had accepted the easement of the Messenger of Allah!" [Sahih Bukhari]
"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi
The problem with using a wrong form of protest is that over time it can become the norm instead of the exception.
As an example, the tunisian protests were started initially by a guy who lit himself on fire. However since then, many others have copy catted that same action looking for the same results and that is not a good thing.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
Are there any acceptable forms of protesting which are actually effective?
I mean things like petitions hardly do anything
"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi
Well normally beating people up is wrong ( I hope so!) but when you need to then it's permissible.
The hadith you refer to is right, but again Abdullah bin Amr wasn't protesting against anything.
Admin, I hear your point but the better response would be to judge every case on it's own merits and make it clear that this is not to be the norm.
I think the floodgate argument has it's limit when it goes beyond being cautious to being an excuse to be apathetic and not do anything and being static.
“Before death takes away what you are given, give away whatever there is to give.”
Mawlana Jalal ud Din Rumi
When is beating up permissible?
But do we have examples from the Prophet
and the companions (ra) or the tabieen's life which show/state that we can use a wrong method to achieve something right?
I think Khader Adnan is so very brave and has done something amazing. And yes we shouldn't be apathetic, but we should make sure we're using methods that aren't going against the word of Allah, cuz if we do, we won't win anyway!
And when the Prophet
first starting preaching about Islam he got so much abuse for it, as did his companions. When Sumayya(ra) was matryred or Bilal (ra) was lying in the scorching desert with a stone on his chest, what did they do in response? They just continued taking the pain whilst saying "La ilaha il Allah". They didn't do anything which would make their position worse.
Reading about all the struggles that the Prophet
and his companions (ra) went through, I really don't recall anything about being active in a way which actually goes against the teachings of Islam. But it's not like I know loads. And that is the reason why I ask.
And I kinda think Allah would prefer someone else torturing you (then justice being received for it) than you torturing yourself. I dunno. Could be wrong. Maybe I'm just not strong enough to comprehend someone going on a hunger strike, never mind going on one myself. Shame on me!
-I'm reiterating the respect and admiration I have for the people who go to extreme lengths to make a difference-
"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi
ThE pOwEr Of SiLeNcE wrote:
self defence? jihad? sports?
anyway... from the little knowledge i have, i have seen evidences(from seerah and historical books) for both tolerating oppression and opposing it.
as for the example above, when Islam first came and throughout the 13 years of dawah in Makkah, the prophet(saw) told the sahabah RA to have sabr and not react to violence etc. Athough some sahabah wanted to proclaim the religion openly and condemn the pre islamic practices.
after they migrated to Yathrib though and once the Islamic state was established, they had now started to preach more openly and were now actually fighting against the enemies of Islam.
without going into details, i've come to the opinion that it depends on the situation of the muslims at the time. there's a time and place for everything and i don't think we're in a position to attack or even defend ourselves at the moment.
regarding the OP i'd say the ends does not justify the means. unless there is evidence for doing something i wouldn't do it. obviously times have changed and so have ways of doing things, i.e. in terms of advanced technology, better ideas etc.
for example using media, phones etc. no evidence of these being used will be found in Qur'an and sunnah but it does not go against it and it can be used for doing what the prophet
done but in a more efficient way.
so to find out if a certain means is acceptable you'll have to go to a scholar. otherwise you get people who justify suicide bombings with i don't know what evidences.
Allah knows best
Lets reunite the ummah under one flag LA ILAHA IL ALLAH MUHAMMADUR RASULULLAH
Good post.
Not sure sports is a valid reason for violence and I had taken jihad out of the equation cuz that's a different - has it's own clear rules. But fair enough
Hmm we can't just sit and do nothing though! What are we supposed to do then?
"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi
Hey,
The point I was trying to make is that it all depends on the situation the person is in and whether or not there is another way of doing the same thing.
Yes of course we go to a scholar who is knowledgable about Islam and the customs of society.
“Before death takes away what you are given, give away whatever there is to give.”
Mawlana Jalal ud Din Rumi
work towards getting into a situation where we can?
obviously right now we can't physically stop the oppression ourselves but what's next best thing? it's to speak against it right?
Lets reunite the ummah under one flag LA ILAHA IL ALLAH MUHAMMADUR RASULULLAH
oh and about the sports thing... what about when the sahabah RA used to wrestle?
Lets reunite the ummah under one flag LA ILAHA IL ALLAH MUHAMMADUR RASULULLAH
As far as I know, so long as you don't hit the face and the sport is consensual and not overboard then it's OK.
“Before death takes away what you are given, give away whatever there is to give.”
Mawlana Jalal ud Din Rumi
As far as I know, so long as you don't hit the face and the sport is consensual and not overboard then it's OK.
“Before death takes away what you are given, give away whatever there is to give.”
Mawlana Jalal ud Din Rumi
Yeah, I heard the same
Lets reunite the ummah under one flag LA ILAHA IL ALLAH MUHAMMADUR RASULULLAH