Is it obligatory for every monotheist, if he sees something that serves as a means to shirk (associating partners with Allah), to remove it, such as the action of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab when he cut down that tree at which the Companions pledged allegiance to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : ... 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) cut down the tree out of fear, or out of 'Umar's (may Allah be pleased with him) fear that it would become a means to shirk (associating partners with Allah) against Allah (Mighty and Majestic). Is it taken from this, O Shaykh, that it is obligatory for every Muslim now, if he sees anything that is taken as a means to shirk (associating partners with Allah) against Allah, that it is obligatory for him to remove this thing?
The Shaykh : If it were the case, 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), you know, was the one in authority. So it is obligatory for the Muslim rulers to cut off all means of shirk (associating partners with Allah). As for the general people, there may be harm in this that exceeds the harm of cutting it. Perhaps they cut down a tree or demolish an idol, yes, and then the idol or the tree is restored in a better state than before, and these people are dealt with and their call is suppressed, yes.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : Yes?
The student: ...
The Shaykh : ... Yes.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : No, what we mentioned is better, yes.
The reader: "So they are more worthy of the truth than them *** Glory be to Him"
The Shaykh : And you claimed, and you claimed
The Shaykh : If it were the case, 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), you know, was the one in authority. So it is obligatory for the Muslim rulers to cut off all means of shirk (associating partners with Allah). As for the general people, there may be harm in this that exceeds the harm of cutting it. Perhaps they cut down a tree or demolish an idol, yes, and then the idol or the tree is restored in a better state than before, and these people are dealt with and their call is suppressed, yes.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : Yes?
The student: ...
The Shaykh : ... Yes.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : No, what we mentioned is better, yes.
The reader: "So they are more worthy of the truth than them *** Glory be to Him"
The Shaykh : And you claimed, and you claimed