Is it permissible to continue translating texts that include disbelief (kufr) and skepticism regarding the existence of God, despite feeling distress and discomfort, and does the ruling "the conveyor of disbelief is not a disbeliever" apply to the translator?
Translating atheistic philosophies leads to the spread of atheism and disbelief, affecting those weak in faith. For this reason, scholars have stated that all knowledge is beneficial, and learning it is better than being ignorant of it, except for the knowledge of magic and atheistic philosophy. Imam An-Nawawi mentioned in Al-Majmoo‘ that it is impermissible to sell books of disbelief and philosophy because they contain no permissible benefit. What is said about the prohibition of selling them should also be said about translating them, especially if the person for whom they are translated is not well-versed in Sharia sciences. As for the student who studies them to refute those convinced by them, learning them is permissible for him, just as scholars did in the past, such as Ibn Taymiyyah. Therefore, translating them for him is permissible, but two conditions are required for this permissibility: First, that he be intellectually fortified so as not to be affected by these ideologies. Second, that he be among those whom Allah has endowed with intelligence, making them capable of confronting the people of whims and refuting their specious arguments.
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- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 58262
- Imported
- Translation status
- Source text, unreviewed
- Read the full ruling
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