There is no harm in adopting a document of embracing Islam due to the need for it
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Fatwa number ( 7212 ):
Q: Foreign Muslims in Europe are granted written certificates
that certify their Islam, and this is done by Islamic institutions. As far as I know, such written documents certifying the Islam of Muslims have not been issued throughout Islamic history. Does not the testimony of two just Muslims and the European’s own admission that he is a Muslim suffice for this written document? Is this not a religious innovation?
A: A Muslim does not need this document to prove his Islam between himself and his Lord, but rights may be attached to it, either for him or against him, between him and people in general, or between him and states. Therefore, there is a need to prove his religion in the personal ID card, the passport, the certificate of good conduct, and the birth certificate. Sometimes, the evidence (bayinah) may not be available, such as if he is traveling in a country where no one knows him, or if he dies far from his country and his companions, so he is not recognized except by his passport, personal ID card, or the document mentioned, as the evidence is often difficult to obtain in such cases. Accordingly, there is no harm in adopting this document, even if it is an innovation, but it is not an innovation in religion. What is prohibited is only the innovation in religion, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 1718a, thereby clarifying that the rejected innovations are those in matters of religion. And success is from Allah. May Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: Foreign Muslims in Europe are granted written certificates
that certify their Islam, and this is done by Islamic institutions. As far as I know, such written documents certifying the Islam of Muslims have not been issued throughout Islamic history. Does not the testimony of two just Muslims and the European’s own admission that he is a Muslim suffice for this written document? Is this not a religious innovation?
A: A Muslim does not need this document to prove his Islam between himself and his Lord, but rights may be attached to it, either for him or against him, between him and people in general, or between him and states. Therefore, there is a need to prove his religion in the personal ID card, the passport, the certificate of good conduct, and the birth certificate. Sometimes, the evidence (bayinah) may not be available, such as if he is traveling in a country where no one knows him, or if he dies far from his country and his companions, so he is not recognized except by his passport, personal ID card, or the document mentioned, as the evidence is often difficult to obtain in such cases. Accordingly, there is no harm in adopting this document, even if it is an innovation, but it is not an innovation in religion. What is prohibited is only the innovation in religion, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
'A'isha reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: He who innovates things in our affairs for which there is no valid (reason) (commits sin) and these are to be rejected.
من أحدث في أمرنا هذا ما ليس منه فهو رد
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.