Firstly: Every capable Muslim is obligated to perform the duty of enjoining good and forbidding evil. One of the most significant aspects of enjoining good is supporting the oppressed through words, actions, and all positive or negative means – positive towards the oppressed and negative towards the oppressor. Those who do not fulfill this duty while being able to are at risk of general punishment.

Secondly: Demonstrations, boycotts, sit-ins, and strikes fall under the category of political jurisprudence (As-Siyāsat ash-Shar῾īyyah) and are considered means to an end. This category, related to political jurisprudence, is subject to ᾽ijtihād (independent reasoning) in specific circumstances and does not strictly follow specific evidence but rather general evidence that leads to the knowledge of another matter. The responsibility for ᾽ijtihād in political jurisprudence lies with legitimate authorities if they exist, such as the council of scholars and leaders (Ahl al-Ḥal wal-῾Aqd), and in their absence, elected legislative bodies. Additionally, the responsibility also lies with specialized experts; political experts are more qualified in political matters, economic experts in economic matters, and so on, all under the general purposes and principles of Sharia.

Therefore, strikes, in essence, fall under political jurisprudence and can be subject to the five legal rulings (obligatory, recommended, permissible, disliked, and forbidden).

Thirdly: If the council of scholars and leaders collectively calls for a strike as a protest against an unjust and oppressive war, the ruling fluctuates between obligation, recommendation, and permissibility. For those who are able and will not suffer harm, participation is obligatory as a form of supporting the oppressed. For those who anticipate likely but bearable harm, participation is recommended. However, those who would face definite harm, such as a student failing an exam, an employee being threatened at work, a doctor failing a patient, or a worker losing their daily earnings, are permitted not to participate in the strike.

We view the call for the strike as an important message to the world and the fighters on the ground, indicating that people stand with them, potentially strengthening their resolve. Therefore, those in the first two categories mentioned should participate in the strike, while those in the last category are excused from participation.

Fatwā issued by Dr. Khālid Naṣr