We believe that a true and comprehensive
understanding of Islam would not be possible without careful recognition of the
Prophetic Tradition and the Prophet's Household. And Allah is the Source of Strength.
Economic Boycott (of those hostile to the Ummah)
"
This paper is a submission by Talha Arshad.
You can contact him at [talha.zakaria@gmail.com]
The Quran in Surah 4 Ayah 92 states QUOTE And it does not behoove a believer to kill a believer except by mistake, and whoever kills a believer by mistake, he should free a believing slave, and blood-money should be paid to his people unless they remit it as alms; but if he be from a tribe hostile to you and he is a believer, the freeing of a believing slave (suffices), and if he is from a tribe between whom and you there is a convenant, the blood-money should be paid to his people along with the freeing of a believing slave; but he who cannot find (a slave) should fast for two months successively: a penance from Allah, and Allah is Knowing, Wise. UNQUOTE
If a Muslim kills another Muslim by mistake or accident, there are three scenarios of expiation:
1. Free a Muslim slave and pay blood money to the victim's
family.
2. If the victim belongs to a warring, hostile nation/tribe/people; then free a
Muslim slave only.
3. If the victim is from a nation/tribe/people with whom there is a treaty, then
free a Muslim slave and pay blood money to the victim's family.
The 2nd scenario is interesting. It appears that the wisdom behind this law
is that we withhold financial benefit from one's enemies (even if the they are
Muslims). Paying blood money to those who were spending their wealth against you
was counter productive.
But the Quran wasn't sent just for the 7th century Arabs. It
provides timeless guidance. So we need to be able to see the verses of the Quran
in the present context and age.
When Israel resumed its genocide of the Palestinians in 2023 with help from the
Western countries, some scholars said that boycotting the products made by them
is optional. Although people weren't taking guidance directly from the Quran, it
made sense to them to withhold financial benefit from those who are spending
their wealth against Islam and Muslims. The advocates of boycott didn't have a
scriptural basis though. But this verse gives them that and proves that they
were acting in accordance with Allah's commands.
Every effort in the way of Allah and for the benefit of the Muslim Ummah counts even if it is throwing of a stone or witholding off a penny.
The Quran has made it evident in Surah 4 Ayah 85 that Whoever joins himself (to another) in a good cause shall have a share of it, and whoever joins himself (to another) in an evil cause shall have the responsibility of it, and Allah controls all things.
Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “ Whoever among you sees evil, let him change it with his hand. If he cannot do so, then with his tongue. If he cannot do so, then with his heart, which is the weakest level of faith. "
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