Removing Harmful Objects Off the Road

21-7-2019 | IslamWeb

Question:

Am i sinful if i see something harmful on the street/road but i dont remove it?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

In principle, removing something harmful from the path of the Muslims is one of the greatest recommended acts. It is the least level of faith, according to the Hadeeth which was reported by Al-Bukhaari and Muslim. However, it is not an obligatory act, and the one who does not act upon it will not incur sin, but one would miss out on a great reward. Al-Munaawi said: "Removing something harmful off the road is of the lowest levels of good deeds. Nonetheless, it is indeed a great charity, as Allah forgave the one who removed a branch of thorns from the road." [End of quote]

The Fiqh Encyclopedia reads: "It is desirable to remove things that are harmful to the Muslims wherever they may be found. The Prophet, said: "Eemaan (faith) consists of more than seventy levels, the best of which is the acknowledgment of "La Ilaaha Illa Allah" (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah), and the lowest of them is the removal of something that is harmful off the path (of people)." [End of quote]

Allah knows best.