السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
Islamic Vigilante
In this world, there is injustice, mistreatment, and oppression. When we decide to take matters into our own hands and become ready to break the laws of the country, in an attempt to enact justice for ourselves and for others, then we have become a vigilante. We justify our means because of the outcome or benefit we intend to attain.
In Islam there are also vigilantes. An Islamic vigilante is someone who bypasses and breaks Islamic laws in pursuit of his mission and his intention to do good. These vigilantes may not be breaking the laws of the country, but they are breaking the laws of Islam. They are unhappy with Allah’s decree and feel the only way to make a difference is by doing things that involve sin or may lead to sin.
Nothing can justify incorrect actions. Nothing can justify us breaking the laws of Islam. Within Islam itself, there are provisions and regulations when certain laws can be broken or foregone. In all other situations, Islamic laws have to be adhered to.
Nabi ﷺ and his companions, radiallahu anhum, went through many torments, acts of injustice, and were mistreated. They were beaten, imprisoned, boycotted, tortured, abandoned, forsaken, lashed, and even attempts to assassinate them were made. Yet never did nabi ﷺ disregard the teachings of Islam.
Nabi ﷺ is our example, and he tought us that our intentions do not justify the means. We cannot adopt sinful procedures in hopes of getting a positive benefit. Nabi ﷺ lived a far more difficult and oppressive life compared to ours, yet he held firm onto the Quraan and Sunnah. We have to take a lesson from this and always make sure that whatever good we do, the methods we use are also in accordance with the teachings of Islam.
May Allah guide us to the straight path, give us the ability to mend our ways, may He forgive our errors and shortcomings, and may He make us from amongst those who are steadfast upon Islam and the Sunnah of nabi ﷺ.
Ameen