Studying man-made laws

Q 23: What is the ruling on studying man-made laws and working as a judge according to those laws? What is the ruling on working as a lawyer, defending the accused people in the courts which apply man-made laws and taking fees in return for this?

A: First, if a person who studies man-made laws has intellectual strength by which they are able to differentiate between truth and falsehood, and Islamic immunity by which they are safe from deviation from the truth and infatuation with falsehood; intends by this study to compare between the rulings of Islam and those of man-made laws in order to reveal the advantages of the former and their comprehensiveness for all that people need in their life and religion; to support the truth and invalidate falsehood; and reply to those who are infatuated by man-made laws and think that they are comprehensive, only under such conditions, it is permissible to study them. Otherwise, it is impermissible. A person should suffice with studying the Islamic laws derived from the Qur'an and authentically established through the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), according to the way of the scholars of Islam and the Salaf (righteous predecessors) of the Ummah (nation). Second, it is impermissible for a Muslim to work as a judge except in Shar`y (Islamic legal) courts which apply the Shari`ah (Islamic law) of Allah in all cases. (Part No. 12; Page No. 137)  Third, if working as a lawyer or prosecutor is a means to support the truth, invalidate falsehood, return the rights to their rightful owners and help the oppressed, it is permissible, as it is a form of cooperation in righteousness and piety. It is also permissible to take fees in return for it. Otherwise, it is impermissible, as it shall be a form of cooperation in sin and transgression. Allah says, Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwâ (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.