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Section 5: Social Relationships
Special Consideration for the People of the Book
Non-Muslim Residents of an Islâmic State
Meaning of Friendship with Non-Muslims
Seeking Help From Non-Muslims
The Extension of Islâm’s Universal Mercy to Animals
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Concluding Remarks
Reviewer’s Note
The methodology of this book is unique in dealing with the many subjects it covers. In fact, Sheikh Yusuf al-
Qaradawi is a pioneer, the first to handle this subject using this particular approach. He has attempted, with
considerable success in the Arabic original, to collect and summarize the issues from both ancient and
modern Islâmic references. Being himself a recognized Islâmic scholar, he has had to make a judgement in
selecting those points of view which he strongly felt meet the needs of Muslims in reference to the changing
circumstances of this time.
However, this by no means presents all dimensions of the “discussion relating to each issue, which it is
impossible to cover in a book of this modest size. Although the present volume is very useful, it cannot by
itself fill the gaps, meet the challenges, or answer the multitude of questions which face Muslim communities
living in the Western world. It is time that sincere and qualified Muslim scholars who have lived in the West,
and who possess mastery of the Islâmic fiqh, introduce into English a fiqh which will meet our Islâmic needs
in this part of the world, one which will demonstrate the ability of Islâm, as Allâh’s final message to mankind,
to meet the changing requirements of human society. We hope that this call to our brothers and sisters will
not be lost, and that the Muslims in North America will carry out the responsibilities which confront them in a
forceful and dynamic fashion. Insha‘Allâh the day will not be far off when the major reference works available
in the Islâmic languages - Arabic, Urdu, Persian, Turkish, etc. - will be accurately translated into English,
giving the English-speaking Muslims the privilege of drawing their own conclusions concerning the many
issues which confront them today.
We pray that Allâh will forgive us, and that He will bless our work and make it useful for the Muslims of the
English-speaking world.
Sheikh Ahmad Zaki Hammad
Definitions
Al-Halal (the lawful): That which is permitted, with respect to which no restriction exists, and the doing of
which the Law-Giver, Allâh, has allowed.
Al-Haram (the prohibited or unlawful): That which the Law-Giver has absolutely prohibited; anyone who
engages in it is liable to incur the punishment of Allâh in the Hereafter as well as a legal punishment in this
world.
Al-Makruh Al-Makruh (the detested): That which is disapproved by the Law-Giver but not very strongly. The
makruh is less in degree than the haram, and the punishment for makruh acts is less than for those that are
haram, except when done to excess and in a manner which leads an individual toward what is haram.
8
Introduction
"Say: ‘Who has forbidden the adornment of Allâh which He has brought forth for His servants, and the
good things of His providing? Say: ‘They are, on the Day of Resurrection, exclusively for those who
believed during the life of this world. Thus do we explain the signs for those who know?‘ Say: ‘What my
Rabb has indeed prohibited are shameful deeds, whether open or secret, and sin and rebellion without
just cause, and that you associate with Allâh that for which He has sent down no authority, and that you
say concerning Allâh that about which you do not know.’" (7:32-33)
The General Institute of Islâmic Culture of al-Azhar University has requested me to participate in an
academic project of writing easily understandable books or pamphlets which, when translated into the
English language, would introduce Islâm and its teachings to Europe and America, educating the Muslims
who reside there and attracting the non-Muslims toward Islâm.
Assuredly this project of producing books and pamphlets has both a lofty aim and a broad scope. It should
have been initiated long ago, since many Muslims in Europe and America have very little knowledge of
Islâm, and even that little has not remained safe from distortion and confusion. Recently a friend from al-
Azhar who was sent to one of the states in the United States of America wrote to us, saying, “Many
Muslims in this state run bars and earn their living through the sale of liquor, not even knowing that this is
a major sin in Islâm.” He adds, “Muslim men marry Christian, Jewish and sometimes mushrik (Ascribing
partners, or associating others, with Allâh. (Trans.)) women, passing over the Muslim women, who remain
unmarried and have to fend for themselves.”
If this is the state of the Muslims, what can be said of the non-Muslims? People in the West have a very
distorted and ugly picture of Islâm, its Prophet (may Allâh’s peace and blessings be on him), and its
followers, a picture painted by Christian missionaries and the representatives of the imperialist powers.
They have used all means of propaganda at their disposal to malign Islâm and to prejudice the minds of
people against it, while we, at the same time, have been heedless and neglectful of combating this
malicious propaganda.
It is indeed high time to launch an educational project in order to remedy this situation, to inform people
about the truth of Islâm, and to invite them toward it. We welcome this blessed step, commending these
devoted people of al-Azhar; we request them to redouble their efforts in this direction, and pray to Allâh to
bless and help them always.
The Institute of Islâmic Culture assigned me the task of writing on the subject of the lawful (al-halal) and
the prohibited (al-haram) in Islâm, requesting that I present the subject in a simple and easily
understandable manner which was also to include a comparison with other religions and cultures.
At first glance the subject of the lawful and the prohibited may seem easy to write about, but it is, in fact,
extremely difficult. No previous author, either early or modern, has compiled a book dealing specifically
with this topic. The student will find material pertaining to this subject scattered throughout various
chapters in books on Islâmic jurisprudence (fiqh), and between the lines in the commentaries on the
Qur‘ân and in books of the Prophet’s ahadith.
Such a subject, moreover, compels the writer to be definitive concerning many matters about which earlier
scholars have differed and contemporary scholars are confused. Consequently, to prefer one opinion over
another in matters relating to the halal and the haram in Islâm requires patience, thoroughness in
research, and intellectual exertion on the part of the researcher - all this after he has purified his heart from
all desires except to please Allâh Subhanahu wa Ta‘ala and to seek the truth.
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