Question # 557: Is protesting allowed in Islam?

bismi-llahi r-raḥmani r-raḥīm,

Assalamu ‘laikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

All praise and thanks are due to Allah (سبحانه و تعالى), and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم).

Dear questioner,

First of all, we implore Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) to help us serve His cause and render our work for His sake.

Shorter Answer: Protests are generally permissible as a means to demand justice, provided they don’t lead to negative consequences like sabotage or direct intermingling of genders. This view is supported by evidence from Islamic history, such as Umar ibn al-Khattab’s (رضي الله عنه) public declaration of faith at the Kaaba. Contemporary scholars consider peaceful demonstrations permissible by default, though each situation should be evaluated individually. Men and women can participate as long as Islamic ethics and guidelines are followed. This approach recognizes protests as an effective way to raise awareness and influence decision-makers, particularly in Western societies.

Long Answer: Protests are a kind of means, and in principle, means are permissible unless there is evidence that proves that they are forbidden… Therefore, if these protests are for the sake of demanding a right that was taken away unjustly, and they do not lead to evil consequences, like sabotage, transgression against public properties, or [free] mixing between men and women, and the like, then they are permissible (Islamweb.net).

We have evidence from the Seerah of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) about an incident involving the public declaration of Islam by Umar ibn al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه) after his conversion. He converted to Islam in 616 CE (in the sixth year of the Prophet Muhammad’s (صلى الله عليه و سلم) mission) and wanted to publicly declare his new faith and challenge the Quraysh. Umar ibn al-Khattab, Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib, and a group of about 40 Muslims (رضي الله عنهم) decided to pray openly at the Kaaba. They formed two rows, with Hamza (رضي الله عنه) leading one row and Umar (رضي الله عنه) leading the other. This was a bold and defiant act, as Muslims had previously been praying in secret to avoid persecution. The two rows marched to the Kaaba, demonstrating the growing strength of the Muslim community. This public display of faith was significant because both Hamza and Umar (رضي الله عنهما) were respected and feared members of Quraysh society. Their conversion and this public act provided a boost to the Muslim community and forced the Quraysh to tone down their hostility temporarily. This incident marked a turning point for the early Muslim community in Makkah, as it allowed them to practice their faith more openly and with less fear of immediate reprisal from the Quraysh. It demonstrated the growing influence of Islam and the courage of its new converts in standing up to the prevailing social order.

This incident was an act to show the strength of the Muslims, and it is evidence of the permissibility of organizing peaceful demonstrations as a means of expressing oneself. Since these demonstrations are means, they do not need special evidence proving their permissibility because, in principle, means are permissible. The one who claims that such demonstrations are forbidden is required to provide evidence about their prohibition (Islamweb.net).

Here are some of the fatawa of contemporary scholars in this regard:

“The Assembly of Muslim Jurists (AMJA) fatwa committee has issued a statement in regard to the participation in such demonstrations.  Its conclusion is that it can be different from one country to another, while the default of peaceful civil protest is that it is permissible.  Each situation should be judged by itself and by its scholars and leaders based on the benefits and harms.” (Shaykh Waleed Basyouni PhD)

According to Dr. Main Khalid Al-Qudah, a Member of the Fatwa Committee of the Assembly of Muslim Jurists in America: “Holding rallies and peaceful demonstrations is a common way to raise public awareness regarding a specific issue. It is an effective and influential means of expressing feelings, especially in Western society. It does indeed have an influence on decision-makers when they decide how to react regarding the matter in question. As long as Muslim women abide by the rules regarding hijab and Islamic ethics in dealing with men, avoid direct intermingling with men during the demonstration [i.e., stay away from men while protesting], and do not speak to the public without dire need for that, their participation would be allowed.”

Allahu A’lam (Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) knows best) and all Perfections belong to Allah, and all mistakes belong to me alone. May Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) forgive me, Ameen.

Wassalaam