The Ruling on Obedience to the Ruler in Traffic Regulations

The questioner:
I seek forgiveness from Allah. Is there any limit to obeying the ruler in his commands that do not contradict the Shari'ah? Or is it absolute? Because we observe that many young Muslims do not adhere to some orders, such as traffic regulations, and they say that some of these regulations are of no benefit. What is your opinion on that?

The Shaykh:
Whatever does not contradict the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), the rulers must be obeyed in it, including the regulations they establish for the subjects and other matters that do not contradict the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). This is due to the generality of the saying of Allah the Exalted: It is not possible for the ruler to legislate a regulation that has no benefit, nor is he a fool. He does not establish a regulation except after study, consultation, deliberation, and conviction that it contains benefits for the subjects. He does not establish a frivolous regulation in most cases. However, he is not infallible; there may be some error in it. But generally, he does not establish a frivolous regulation. Traffic regulations have great, apparent benefits because they regulate traffic and, by the permission of Allah, prevent accidents. As for this chaos, it is not permissible because it exposes lives to danger, causes confusion, and causes disorder. So this is not permissible. Matters must be regulated by systems that operate according to the conditions of the ruler, for he has the authority. Allah has given him the authority to be obeyed in everything that does not contradict the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). The transmitted interests are known; if there is a benefit and no harm, it is obligatory to adopt it, because it benefits people and does not harm them, right? Yes. It is not permissible to disobey the ruler except in matters that contradict the Book of Allah or the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). But that does not mean that if he commits a violation in some matters, it becomes permissible to disobey him in everything and obedience to him is not obligatory. No, rather, obedience to him is not obligatory in that specific matter where there is a violation, but in the remaining matters, he is to be obeyed.

The questioner:
Give us, O Shaykh, the specified speed limit. Does it come from...?

The Shaykh:
Yes, he commits a sin. If he exceeds the speed limit and an accident results, he commits a sin for that because he caused it, for speed is an apparent cause of the accident occurring.

The questioner:
If no accident occurs.

The Shaykh:
If no accident occurs, he still commits a sin because he exposed himself to danger, so he is sinful even if no accident occurs. If an accident does occur, the sin is greater.