“There’s no evidence that it’s haram, so it’s permissible, right ?”
Stop! Wait a minute… Don’t rush into that thought if you don’t want to fall into doubt. After all, not everything that seems safe in our eyes is actually safe in the sight of Allah ﷻ . Sometimes it can even be dangerous because we don’t understand the sharia law.
So, this article is meant to encourage us all to realize that life can’t just be “just going with the flow” with every step. The law must first be clear: is it permissible or not? Because if it’s still unclear, it’s better to be cautious and seek out the science first.
Just because you don’t know doesn’t mean there isn’t a prohibition.
We must be able to differentiate between two things.
First, they don’t know the sharia law. This is the position most people find themselves in. For example, there’s a new work model, business system, or lifestyle trend. We don’t know whether it’s halal or haram. Because we don’t know, we jump to conclusions: “There’s no evidence that it’s haram, so it’s permissible.” This is very dangerous.
Second, while there’s no clear evidence forbidding it, it doesn’t automatically mean it’s permissible. Only the ulama, those who truly understand the evidence, ushul fiqh (Islamic principles), and the methodology of ijtihad, can determine whether something is permissible. Not those of us who simply read a fragment of a verse on social media and pretend to be “judges of what’s permissible or forbidden.” So, be careful to distinguish between “I don’t know,” “there’s no evidence for the prohibition,” and “the sharia law isn’t clear yet.”
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned us about this:
عَنِ النُّعْمَانِ بْنِ بَشِيرٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: «إِنَّ الْحَلَالَ بَيِّنٌ، وَإِنَّ الْحَرَامَ بَيِّنٌ، وَبَيْنَهُمَا مُشْتَبِهَاتٌ، لاَ يَعْلَمُهُنَّ كَثِيرٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ، فَمَنِ اتَّقَى الشُّبُهَاتِ، اسْتَبْرَأَ لِدِينِهِ وَعِرْضِهِ
“Indeed, what is halal is clear, and what is haram is clear. Between the two there are matters of doubt that not many people know about. So whoever keeps himself from doubt, he has guarded his religion and honor.” (Hadith from Bukhari & Muslim )
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Syubhat is not just “grey”
Doubt arises when we don’t understand the sharia law. So, when we encounter a choice of actions but are confused about whether it’s permissible or not, that’s already entering the realm of doubt for us.
And not just anyone can directly derive a law from the evidence. It must be a scholar with the capacity for ijtihad. If we haven’t reached that level, our duty is to follow (follow the example of) competent scholars. How? Study, ask experts, and don’t try to guess on your own.
Allah ﷻ has reminded us:
فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ َ
“So ask someone who has knowledge if you don’t know.” ( Quran Surah An-Nahl verse 43 )
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Difference between Law of Property and Law of Action
This is also important. Someone said: “Originally everything is permissible, until there is an argument that prohibits it.” That’s right, but that applies to objects , yes, like rocks, wood, water, or other natural items.
When it comes to human actions , the rules are different. All our actions must comply with sharia law: obligatory, recommended, permissible, reprehensible, or forbidden. So there’s no such thing as “as long as it’s not prohibited, it’s permissible.”
Even a permissible status has its basis. For example, eating rice is permissible because there is general evidence that it is permissible to eat halal food. However, if there is no supporting evidence, it cannot be arbitrarily labeled permissible.
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Tips to Avoid Using Gas Carelessly
To avoid falling into doubt, try a few simple steps. First, learn basic sharia law. At the very least, understand how to distinguish between halal (permissible), haram (forbidden), and doubtful (doubtful).
Second, don’t be lazy about asking questions. If you’re unsure about a practice, ask a religious teacher or someone who understands it. Don’t pretend to be an “instant mufti.”
Third, always check your evidence. Don’t be easily swayed by random conversations, WhatsApp statuses, or social media posts. Truth requires a solid foundation based on the Quran or the Hadith.
Finally, cultivate caution. If you’re still in doubt, it’s better to leave it alone. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us that abandoning doubtful matters is safer for our religion and our lives.
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Conclusion
Not everything that “doesn’t have any evidence for its prohibition” is automatically permissible. If we don’t have the knowledge, it could be in the realm of doubt. And the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned that doubt can lead us to the forbidden without us realizing it.
That’s why studying sharia law is so important. With knowledge, we know what’s halal and what’s haram, and when to stop. If you’re still unsure, don’t be afraid to ask.
Once we have faith and are certain of our creed, our task is to build a life in accordance with Islamic law. Therefore, we shouldn’t just guess or follow the crowd in every activity. This way, we will not only be safe from forbidden and doubtful things, but also live a life filled with blessings because we are in line with Allah’s rules .
Come on, let’s start practicing caution, studying religion, and checking before acting. God willing, life will become more peaceful, blessed, and purposeful.
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Reference
Al-Qur’an al-Karim.
Al-Bukhari, Muhammad bin Ismail. Sahih al-Bukhari . Buku al-Iman, Chapter Fadl Man Istabra’a Lidinihi. Accessed from: https://sunnah.com/bukhari:52
Muslim, Muslim bin al-Hajjaj. Sahih Muslim . Buku al-Musaqat, Chapter Akhz al-Halal wa Tark al-Shubuhat. Accessed from: https://sunnah.com/muslim:1599
An-Nawawi, Yahya bin Sharaf. Al-Arba’in An-Nawawiyyah . Hadith No. 6 on Halal, Haram, and Doubtful. Retrieved from: https://sunnah.com/nawawi40:6
