Home
Discover Islam
Quran Recitations
Lectures
Fatwa
Articles
Fiqh
E-Books
Women
Boys & Girls 
Enter Question
View By Subject
Fatwa Of The Week
Selected Fatwa
Fatwa CenterA Muslim should obey the laws of the land unless it contravenes the religion
Question
I live in Finland and I cannot cut my hair in a public place because men also go there. My question is, can I go to a woman who cuts hair privately meaning she doesn't pay taxes which is considered illegal here according to Finnish law? Another question that stems from this is how should Muslims deal with sectarian laws? Are we obliged to abide by them or is it possible for a good reason to sometimes break these laws if there are no bad consequences?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
It is known that it is not permissible for a woman to go to have her hair cut in a place where men can see her. As regards going to a private place for women which is not licensed, and whose owner evades taxes, then one should not go to it as Muslims should provide a good example in abiding by and complying with the governing laws.
With regard to your second question, you did not explain to us the nature of these sectarian laws, whether they lead to you being denied of a right or whether they require you to do something forbidden. In general, we say: a person may obtain a right to which he is entitled by any permissible means, even if the law unjustly prevents him from this right. However, a Muslim should be wise and avoid anything that could cause him the trouble of being interrogated under the law, and so forth.
Allaah Knows best.
Search Fatwa
Fatwa Subject
