Supporting Just Causes
Muslims are urged to support each other specially those who suffer from injustice providing that the means is permissible. The Prophet himself took part of a supportive alliance “alFudul” before Islam message
Supporting Just Causes
Similar Questions
Helping the oppressed;
Supporting those suffering injustice.
The Issue
Muslims in minority communities may need to help those who are suffering injustice to obtain their rights and help them in removing injustice, resorting to legal and Islamic means. In order to do so they may resort to all means available to ensure the removal of injustice.
Ruling
It is the duty of a Muslim to support his Muslim brother. This duty may be a collective one, in which once support is given in sufficient measure the duty is rendered to have been discharged, or it may be a personal one, when the support is not enough without him and he is able to give it. Moreover, Islam is opposed to injustice and provides support to those who suffer injustice, regardless of their nationality, race or religion. Every means of support, whether political, financial or informational, may be given if needed to achieve the legitimate objectives, provided that the means itself is permissible and its use does not lead to harm. It should also be legal in the country where it is used and giving such support should not mean neglecting more important duties. This ruling is expressed in Decision 6-16 of the European Council for Fatwa and Research.
Evidence
Supporting those who suffer injustice is a main principle of Islam.
‘The Prophet says:
“Support your brother whether he inflicts or suffers injustice.” People asked: “Supporting the one suffering injustice is fine. How can we support the one inflicting injustice?” The Prophet said: “By stopping him from doing injustice you support him.”’
(Related by al-Bukhari, hadith Nos 2,444 and 6,952; Muslim, hadith No. 2,584)
The Prophet also mentions that the rights of every Muslim include that he must not be exposed to injustice, given away or let down.
When the Prophet was still a young man, long before the start of the message of Islam, he took part in the al-Fudul alliance which aimed to support anyone who suffered injustice and help him to regain his rights.. Yet when the Prophet mentioned it later, after he was given his message,
he said:
‘If I am invited to take part in a similar alliance I will certainly do.’
(Related by al-Bayhaqi, hadith No. 13,232)
Sources
Decisions of the European Council for Fatwa and Research.
Abdullah Bin Bayyah, Sina'at al-Fatwa wa Fiqh al-Aqaliyyat.
Sulaiman Muhammad Topoliyak, Al-Ahkam al-Siyasiyyah lil Aqaliyyat al-Muslimah fi al-Fiqh al-Islami.