In our country, a large number of our Salafi brothers have obtained university degrees in law, but they do not work in the profession of advocacy.

The questioner : Our Shaykh, if you please!

The Shaykh: Yes.

The questioner : Two questions regarding the Salafi brothers in our country, if Allah wills.

The Shaykh : Hmm.

The questioner : We have a large number of Salafi brothers who have obtained a bachelor's degree in law, and they do not work in the profession of advocacy, and they say that it is forbidden; so what is the opinion of Shaykh Al-Albani on this matter?

The Shaykh : Of course, this statement is sound; because advocacy, first of all, is based on terrestrial laws that are not Sharia-compliant.

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : And secondly: advocacy generally involves defending both the right and the wrong; therefore, it is not permissible for a Muslim to expose himself to such work. If there were an Islamic ruling, in my belief, there would be no work for advocates; because now, if the defendant, who is wronged, wants to defend himself, they do not allow him to do so unless he has a lawyer's certificate, and this is, of course, contrary to Islam, apart from other aspects. So, in my belief, if there were a ruling based on Islam, the profession of advocacy would be invalid. But now—as I said earlier—the laws are not divine; therefore, it is not permissible for a Muslim, truly, to engage in the profession of advocacy for this reason first, and because he is exposed to defending the wrong secondly, in exchange for a specified fee.
Yes.