Back to search

Have I committed a grave sin by working on a matter in which there was a doubt, despite some issuing fatwas permitting it, and my feeling extremely distressed now?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Wara' (scrupulousness) regarding doubtful matters is a great principle of the religion, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Whoever avoids doubtful matters has absolved his religion and his honor, and whoever falls into doubtful matters falls into the haram (forbidden)." Doubtful matters can arise from various sources, such as uncertainty about the evidence indicating prohibition or permissibility, or the conflict of proofs. Scholars have differed on the ruling regarding doubtful matters, with some saying it is haram (forbidden), others makruh (disliked), and some advocating for suspension of judgment. However, they are unanimous that a believer pauses at doubtful matters. Avoiding doubtful matters has several levels: that which must be avoided because committing it may necessitate committing the haram; that which is originally permissible, and doubt should not be heeded unless based on certainty; that whose origin oscillates between halal (permissible) and haram, in which case leaving it is preferable; that which is recommended to avoid, such as dealing with a person whose wealth is mixed with haram; and that which is disliked to avoid, such as avoiding lawful concessions out of extremism.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

Read the full answer on Ftawy