Ruling on taking protective measures against the dangers of toxic atmospheric gases

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Q: Some specialized authorities direct people to take certain actions to mitigate the dangers of toxic gases and harmful atmospheric gases. Is there any blame on a Muslim for following those instructions?

A: The Muslim is commanded to take precautions and follow instructions that protect against harm. Allah the Exalted said:

O you who have believed, take your precaution

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا خُذُوا حِذْرَكُمْ

[Surat al-Nisa: 71]. So if a believer takes beneficial and protective measures, by the permission of Allah, to guard against harm, there is no blame on him. For example, using masks that prevent toxic gases from reaching him, and other protective measures when necessary. It is like carrying a weapon if an aggressor attacks him, in order to repel that aggressor. It is like killing a snake or a scorpion during prayer or otherwise, in order to ward off their harm.
So a person is commanded to take beneficial measures, as Allah the Exalted said:

And prepare against them whatever you are able of power

وَأَعِدُّوا لَهُمْ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ مِنْ قُوَّةٍ

[Surat al-Anfal: 60]. And as Allah the Exalted said:

O you who have believed, take your precaution

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا خُذُوا حِذْرَكُمْ

[Surat al-Nisa: 71]. And as in the verse regarding the prayer of fear, which commands preparation with weapons, namely His saying:

And when you are among them and lead them in prayer, let a group of them stand [in prayer] with you and let them carry their arms.

وَإِذَا كُنْتَ فِيهِمْ فَأَقَمْتَ لَهُمُ الصَّلاةَ فَلْتَقُمْ طَائِفَةٌ مِنْهُمْ مَعَكَ وَلْيَأْخُذُوا أَسْلِحَتَهُمْ

[Surat al-Nisa: 102].

Source binbaz.org.sa

The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.

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