If the caller fears the tyranny of unjust regimes, is it permissible for him to call to Islam in secret?
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The questioner : The question asks: If the callers to Allah fear the tyranny of the existing regimes, is it permissible for them to work in secret? What are the limits of this secrecy? And what is your opinion of those who claim that the stage of secrecy has been abrogated from the Islamic call?
The Shaykh : I do not believe that the current political situation has reached a point where Muslims, in their true call—meaning the call to the oneness of Allah, the call to worship Allah as Allah has legislated—are forced to call to it in secret. I do not think this is the case, because disbelief has not returned to its former state, as was the situation in the early period of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). So naturally, there is no way to avoid saying that concealing the call is permissible. However, I believe that the current time is truly a time of freedom, especially regarding personal acts of worship and personal beliefs. These rulers, as far as we know, do not currently intervene by confronting Muslims in their personal deeds and beliefs. But God forbid, if the situation reaches a certain point with some rulers or in some circumstances, there is no way to avoid it, because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) says in the well-known hadith:Sahih Muslim 49a. But I consider the question theoretical and not practical today.
The questioner : Well, Professor, if we are in the areas where we are, in some countries, those who openly call to the Sunnah are taken, killed, and fought against, like in Libya and, for example, in Iraq. The situation of our brothers in Iraq is very bad; two people cannot meet.
The Shaykh : Do they not meet in the mosques?
The questioner : Generally speaking.
The Shaykh : That is enough for us, my brother. You have now returned to the issue of organization, and you say that two people cannot meet, meaning they cannot meet on the basis of organization?
The questioner : No, as a call, like a lesson such as this lesson.
The Shaykh : No problem, but this meeting exists in the mosques, and this was not the case in the early period. In any case, the important thing is that we hope the situation does not become severe in any place. But secrecy in worship, let alone announcing the creed, is a matter of dire necessity among the necessities; one cannot say, "No, it is not permissible." It is either death or what? Disbelief? No.
Another questioner : That is, as a principle, is it permissible to call to Islam in secret if a person fears for his life?
The Shaykh : That is it, yes.
The Shaykh : I do not believe that the current political situation has reached a point where Muslims, in their true call—meaning the call to the oneness of Allah, the call to worship Allah as Allah has legislated—are forced to call to it in secret. I do not think this is the case, because disbelief has not returned to its former state, as was the situation in the early period of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). So naturally, there is no way to avoid saying that concealing the call is permissible. However, I believe that the current time is truly a time of freedom, especially regarding personal acts of worship and personal beliefs. These rulers, as far as we know, do not currently intervene by confronting Muslims in their personal deeds and beliefs. But God forbid, if the situation reaches a certain point with some rulers or in some circumstances, there is no way to avoid it, because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) says in the well-known hadith:
and if he has not strength enough to do it, then he should do it with his tongue, and if he has not strength enough to do it, (even) then he should (abhor it) from his heart, and that is the least of faith.
فإن لم يجد فبلسانه ، فإن لم يجد فبقلبه ، وذلك أضعف الإيمانThe questioner : Well, Professor, if we are in the areas where we are, in some countries, those who openly call to the Sunnah are taken, killed, and fought against, like in Libya and, for example, in Iraq. The situation of our brothers in Iraq is very bad; two people cannot meet.
The Shaykh : Do they not meet in the mosques?
The questioner : Generally speaking.
The Shaykh : That is enough for us, my brother. You have now returned to the issue of organization, and you say that two people cannot meet, meaning they cannot meet on the basis of organization?
The questioner : No, as a call, like a lesson such as this lesson.
The Shaykh : No problem, but this meeting exists in the mosques, and this was not the case in the early period. In any case, the important thing is that we hope the situation does not become severe in any place. But secrecy in worship, let alone announcing the creed, is a matter of dire necessity among the necessities; one cannot say, "No, it is not permissible." It is either death or what? Disbelief? No.
Another questioner : That is, as a principle, is it permissible to call to Islam in secret if a person fears for his life?
The Shaykh : That is it, yes.
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.