Fatwa #377355 March 2017United Kingdom
Breaking country laws
Question
Salaam,
Is it sinful to break any law of the country you live in? Irrespective of whether you get caught or not, and assuming these laws do not contravene Shariah.
Was thinking in particular of 'minor' driving offences. For example knowingly driving above the speed limit (not extremely excessive, but still at an illegal speed e.g. 80mph on a motorway), parking without buying a ticket etc
Jazakhallah khair
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
According to Sharia, a muslim is obliged to abide by those laws of his country that are not unIslamic, irrespective of the country being a muslim country or non- muslim country. The laws of a country for example, traffic laws are designed for the safety of driving and other citizens.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Ridwaan Ibn Khalid Esmail [Kasak]
Student Darul Iftaa
Katete, Zambia
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.