We are forced to close our shops on Sunday by the guild, claiming brotherhood with the Christians. Is it permissible for us to defy this compulsion, even if it results in material harm to us?

The questioner : In response, regarding the issue of differing from the polytheists in this country: We have been afflicted in certain specific professions. The guild has imposed on us, as a mandatory requirement, to close on Sunday, whether for a full day or half a day. This is in the name of equality or brotherhood between the Christians and the Jews, excuse me, and the Muslims.

The Shaykh : What Allah willed.

The questioner : They claim that they close on Friday, our festival, so we must close on their festival. The guild is mostly composed of them, and they have linked this matter to the fact that if any Muslim decides to open on Sunday, it may result in a financial penalty, and one day they may revoke his license. One of the brothers, whom I know, was the head of the governorate, and he nearly faced trial. So in this regard, are we allowed to close our shops on Sunday to avert harm, or should we open them and rely on Allah?

The Shaykh : It is not permissible for you to close your shops on Friday. And with that, the problem is solved.

The questioner : But they refuse, O Shaykh.

The Shaykh : Who is refusing?

The questioner : The guild, and most Muslims want to make Friday a holiday because they say it is an official day for them.

The Shaykh : So I will answer you regarding most Muslims. As for the rulers who impose non-Shari'ah rulings on Muslims, that is not within our power or our control. But when you speak about Muslims, Muslims must do what their religion commands them to do. Today, Muslims imitate the Christians, and the Christians in turn imitate Muslims. I wish that when the Christians imitate Muslims, they imitate them in their religion and in what is legislated for them in their religion, but that is not the case. I mean, the masses of Muslims today think that Friday is a holiday by religious law, and that is not the case.

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : Therefore, if Muslims are able not to make Friday a holiday, then they should not make it a holiday, and consequently, they will not agree with the Christians in their holiday on Friday. Because then, they will not imitate Muslims in their Friday holiday, because they will not be making it a holiday. But Muslims, as the Syrian proverb says, "Who is in the silkworm?" They have innovated in Islam the holiday on Friday, so there is a mutual accommodation where each party, Muslim and disbeliever, tries to please the other. Do you understand? But if Muslims return to their religion, the problem is solved "automatically," as they say today. But the problem, as I understand it, involves two aspects: one aspect that Muslims can address if they understand their religion and respond practically to it, and the other aspect is not in their hands because the rulers want something contrary to what Islam wants. So regarding the obligation to close on Sunday in agreement with the Christians, whoever is able to defy it should do so, and whoever is not able, Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity. But the question that arises now is: Is the state's concern with closing by Muslims on Friday as great as its concern with closing by Muslims themselves on Friday? Or do they enforce it more strictly on Sunday than on Friday?

The questioner : Rather, Sunday is more strict.

The Shaykh : They enforce it more strictly on Sunday than on Friday. So here there is a glimmer of light that Muslims today should try not to make Friday a holiday, so that there is no excuse for the Christians. "We have closed with you." No, we closed for you, O people. We will work on Friday because our religion does not command us to suspend our interests.