Is it permissible to work as judges or lawyers in a Muslim country if they apply and violate Islamic Sharia?

The fundamental principle is that a Muslim should only rule by what Allah has revealed, as Allah Almighty states: "And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed – then it is those who are the disbelievers."

Scholars have differed on the ruling regarding a Muslim working as a judge or lawyer under man-made laws, holding two views:

1. First View: Absolute prohibition. This is the fatwa issued by the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta'.

2. Second View: Permissibility, for the purpose of achieving certain benefits, averting harms, and securing rights, when there is no Sharia-compliant alternative.

Some scholars have differentiated between judgeship where the judge does not directly rule by other than what Allah has revealed (such as in administrative and civil matters), which they permitted, and fields that directly contradict the provisions of Sharia (such as criminal matters), which they prohibited.

It is permissible for a Muslim to work in this profession and others under such systems if their goal is to support the religion, establish proof against opponents, demonstrate the triviality of their laws, and serve the interests of Muslims by removing or alleviating injustice from them. If they cannot achieve this, they must withdraw; otherwise, they become complicit in injustice.