Swearing by other than Allah
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Fatwa No. ( 4767 ):
Q: The Secondary Postal Institute in Riyadh has noted the following phrase: (The Scout Promise): (I promise on my honor that I will do my best to fulfill my duty toward Allah, the country, and the King, and that I will help people at all times and abide by the Scout Law). This is in the Scout booklet published by the General Secretariat of the Arab Scout Committee. We have attached to your Excellency a copy of the cover, the introduction, and page (23) on which the aforementioned phrase is recorded. We hope you will kindly review it and then graciously issue a fatwa to us regarding the validity of this Scout oath, so that we may approve it or modify it according to the Islamic ruling. In this regard, I take this opportunity to express our thanks and appreciation, and we commend the service you provide to this pure Islamic religion. May Allah guide us all to the straight path.
A: First: It is forbidden to swear by other than Allah, such as a father, a leader, honor, status, or a nobleman, and the like; for it is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:Sahih al-Bukhari 2679 It is agreed upon by al-Bukhari and Muslim. And he said: Sahih Muslim 1646f Narrated by al-Nasa'i, And he said: Sunan Abi Dawud 3251Sahih (Al-Albani) . Second: It is not befitting for a Muslim to equate Allah with other than Him; such as the country
and the King and the leader in taking a pledge upon himself to work for them. Rather, he should say: I have a pledge with Allah that I will do my best to fulfill my duty to Allah alone, then I will serve my country and help the Muslims, and that I will abide by the Scout system that does not contradict the Shari'ah of Allah the Exalted. Third: It is obligatory that a person's work be in accordance with the Shari'ah of Allah the Exalted, so it is not permissible for him to take a pledge upon himself to abide by the law of a state, sect, or group of people absolutely. And success is from Allah. And may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: The Secondary Postal Institute in Riyadh has noted the following phrase: (The Scout Promise): (I promise on my honor that I will do my best to fulfill my duty toward Allah, the country, and the King, and that I will help people at all times and abide by the Scout Law). This is in the Scout booklet published by the General Secretariat of the Arab Scout Committee. We have attached to your Excellency a copy of the cover, the introduction, and page (23) on which the aforementioned phrase is recorded. We hope you will kindly review it and then graciously issue a fatwa to us regarding the validity of this Scout oath, so that we may approve it or modify it according to the Islamic ruling. In this regard, I take this opportunity to express our thanks and appreciation, and we commend the service you provide to this pure Islamic religion. May Allah guide us all to the straight path.
A: First: It is forbidden to swear by other than Allah, such as a father, a leader, honor, status, or a nobleman, and the like; for it is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:
Whoever has to take an oath should swear by Allah or remain silent.
من كان حالفًا فليحلف بالله أو ليصمتHe who has to take an oath, he must not take oath but by Allah.
من كان حالفًا فلا يحلف إلاَّ باللهHe who swears by anyone but Allah is polytheist.
من حلف بغير الله فقد أشركand the King and the leader in taking a pledge upon himself to work for them. Rather, he should say: I have a pledge with Allah that I will do my best to fulfill my duty to Allah alone, then I will serve my country and help the Muslims, and that I will abide by the Scout system that does not contradict the Shari'ah of Allah the Exalted. Third: It is obligatory that a person's work be in accordance with the Shari'ah of Allah the Exalted, so it is not permissible for him to take a pledge upon himself to abide by the law of a state, sect, or group of people absolutely. And success is from Allah. And may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.