Statements of the Major Scholars concerning Demonstrations and Protests

His Eminence, ash-Shaykh, al-Imaam, ‘Abdul-‘Azeez bin Baaz (may Allah have mercy upon him) said, “Using good methods are the best ways of having the truth accepted. Using bad and violent methods are the most dangerous ways in having the truth rejected and not accepted. It causes unrest, oppression, aggression, and disturbances. In relation to this are the demonstrations and protests that are carried out by some people. These demonstrations and protests cause great harms to the callers (of Islam). Marching and shouting in the streets is not the means to rectification and inviting (to the application of Islam). The correct way is by visiting and written correspondence while utilizing good manners. This is how the president, the ruler, and the leader of the tribes is advised, using this method, not by violence and demonstrations. The Prophet, peace be upon him, resided thirteen years in Makkah and never did he engage in demonstrations or marches. He did not terrify the people by destroying their property or killing. No doubt this method harms the Da’wah and the callers…they want good by observing this method but only the opposite occurs. Therefore the one who calls to Allah treads the way of the Messengers and their followers even if it takes a long time, it is better than harming the Da’wah and causing adversity.” Taken from the al-Buhooth al-Islaamiyyah magazine, edition 38, page 210.

And he was asked, may Allah have mercy upon him, are demonstrations performed by men and women against the ruler considered a means from the many ways of inviting to (the application of) Islam? And is the one who is killed while engaged (in these protests) considered a martyr who fought in the path of Allah?

So he responded by saying, “I do not see demonstrations performed by men and women being a cure, rather it from the causes of tribulations, from the causes of evil, and from the causes of oppressing some of the people and transgressing some of the people’s rights. The divinely legislated ways are written correspondence, giving advice, and inviting to good using sound methods. This is the way of the people of knowledge and this is the way of the companions of the Prophet, peace be upon him, and those who follow them in that which is good; by written correspondence, by speaking with those who are in error and with the leader and ruler. And also by contacting them, advising them, and writing to them without publicizing on the pulpit or other places that the person did this and the person has become that. And it is Allah whom we seek assistance from.” Taken from the tape: Selections from the Statements of the Scholars.

And ash-Shaykh, al-‘Allaamah, Muhammad bin Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy upon him) was asked if demonstrations were a means of the divinely legislated call to Islam?

He said, “All praise is to Allah, Lord of all the worlds. And may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our master Muhammad, upon his family, companions, and those who follow them perfectly until the Day of Judgment. To proceed: the concept of Demonstrations is a new issue. It was not known in the time of the Prophet, peace be upon him, or in the time of the rightly-guided Muslim rulers or amongst the companions- may Allah be pleased with them all. It consists of prohibited acts based on anarchy and disturbances such as the breaking of glass and doors, etc. Therein occurs mixing of the sexes, the young with the old, as well as other corruptions and objectionable acts. As for the issue of pressuring the government, if it is a Muslim government, then it is sufficient to have an advisor skilled in the Book of Allah and in the Sunnah of His Messenger, peace be upon him. This is the best thing that can be suggested to the Muslim. If it is a non-Muslim government ,then do not concern yourself with these demonstrators. ..based on this, we view demonstrations as being an evil matter. As for those who say that demonstrations are peaceful, at the beginning it is peaceful but then it becomes destructive. I advise the youth to follow the path of those before them as Allah the Glorious, the Most High, has praised the Muhaajiroon and the Ansaar and those who follow them perfectly applying Islam in their daily lives.” From the book al-Jawaab al-Abhar by Fuad Sarraaj page 75.

And ash-Shaykh, al-‘Allaamah, Saalih al-Fawzaan, may Allah protect him from every evil and harm was asked if establishing demonstrations was a means of Da’wah in solving the Muslim world’s problems?

He said, “Our religion is not a religion of chaos and anarchy. It is a religion of discipline, a religion of order and tranquility. Demonstrations are not actions done by Muslims and the Muslims did not know of them (in the begining of Islam). The religion of Islam is a religion of calmness, a religion of mercy, not one filled with chaos. It is not a religion of commotion or stirring up tribulations. This is the religion of Islam. People’s rights are not obtained through these methods but by legislated Islamic requests and other legislated methods. These demonstrations cause tribulations, the spilling of blood, and the destruction of property therefore they are not permissible.” Taken from al-Ijaabaat al-Muhimmah fee al-Mashaakil al-Malmah by Muhammad al-Husayn page 100.

And His Eminence, ash-Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez ar-Raajihee, may Allah protect him from every evil and harm was asked, what is your opinion of the one who says that demonstrations are permissible in order to put pressure on the ruler until he responds to them?

He said, “Demonstrations are not actions done by Muslims, they are foreign. They were not known until the influence of the non-Muslim western countries.” Taken from a lecture given by the Shaykh.

And al-‘Allaamah, al-Muhaddith, Naasir-ud-Deen al-Albaanee (may Allah have mercy upon him) said after talking about the weakness of a story of ‘Umar bin al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, “…That was probably a reason or one of the many reasons some of our brothers who call to Islam tried to use as evidence for demonstrations which are well known today and for methods that the Prophet, peace be upon him, used in inviting to Islam! Some Islamic groups still demonstrate unaware that its roots are from the ways and methods of the non-Muslims which they ascribe to because in their estimation rule is for the people. They negate the statement of the Prophet, peace be upon him: (And the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad).” Taken from as-Silsalah adh-Dha’eefah.

Source: http://www.sahab.net/forums/showthread.php?t=385795
Translated by Aboo ‘Imraan al-Mekseekee –may Allah guide him