{"id":4126,"date":"2025-12-01T10:18:13","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T10:18:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/?p=4126"},"modified":"2026-02-21T06:15:35","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T06:15:35","slug":"q-a-no-17-how-do-islam-teach-muslims-in-the-non-muslim-countries-to-view-on-their-rulers-their-orders-rules-regulations-and-laws","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myanmarmuslim.news\/en\/2025\/12\/01\/q-a-no-17-how-do-islam-teach-muslims-in-the-non-muslim-countries-to-view-on-their-rulers-their-orders-rules-regulations-and-laws\/","title":{"rendered":"Q\/A No. 17. How do Islam teach Muslims in the non-Muslim countries, to view on their rulers, their orders, rules, regulations and laws?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Islamic teachings generally require Muslims living in non-Muslim countries<\/strong> to obey the laws and authorities of the land<\/strong> as long as these rules do not force them to violate fundamental Islamic obligations or commit something explicitly forbidden (haram). <\/strong>This is based on the principle of fulfilling covenants and agreements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Key aspects of the Islamic teaching on this matter include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Fulfilling Covenants:<\/strong> \n
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    • When a Muslim enters a non-Muslim country, whether as a visitor, resident, or citizen, they are implicitly or explicitly agreeing to abide by that country’s laws <\/strong>(a form of covenant or a contract of mutual security<\/em>). \n
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      • Breaking this covenant (treachery) is considered a serious sin in Islam. <\/strong>The Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) adherence to the terms of the Treaty of Hudaibiyyah, even when they seemed unfavorable, is cited as evidence for this principle.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Obedience to Authority:<\/strong> \n
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        • The Quranic verse (4:59) commands believers to <\/strong>\n
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          • “obey Allah and <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • obey the Messenger <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • and those in authority among you”. <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Muslim scholars universally interpret this as an explicit command to obey the local\/governing authority, <\/strong>recognizing exceptions only if the law requires committing a severe sin (e.g., forcing them to drink alcohol or renounce their faith).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Conflict of Laws:<\/strong>\n
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            • No Conflict\/Sharia Silent:<\/strong> If the secular law does not conflict with Sharia (e.g., traffic laws, public health guidelines), Muslims are obligated to follow the secular law.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Conflict:<\/strong> If a law requires a Muslim to do something forbidden (haram<\/em>) or prevents them from doing something obligatory (fard<\/em>), the Islamic ruling takes precedence. In such cases, the individual should try to find a legal way around the issue (e.g., through legal processes or conscientious objection).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Migration as an Option:<\/strong> \n
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              • If a Muslim cannot practice their basic religious obligations safely and freely in a non-Muslim country <\/strong>and all peaceful avenues for resolution are exhausted, then \n
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                • migration (hijra<\/em>) <\/strong>to a country where they can practice their faith is an option <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • and, in some interpretations, an obligation.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Civic Engagement:<\/strong> Modern Islamic jurisprudence for minorities (Fiqh al-Aqalliyyat<\/em>) encourages Muslims to …\n
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                  • integrate into their societies, <\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • participate in civic life (such as voting), <\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • and contribute to the public interest (maslahah<\/em>), provided it does not compromise Islamic fundamentals. The goal is to balance religious observance with being a productive citizen and to foster peaceful coexistence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Avoiding Sedition:<\/strong> Islam strictly forbids actions that lead to corruption (mafsadah<\/em>) or sedition<\/strong> and sectarian intolerance within society, emphasizing the importance of maintaining national peace and order. \n
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                    • Acts of violence or terrorism against the host country are considered a violation of the covenant and thus forbidden. <\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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