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The question

Does Fatwa No. 5843 contradict the statements of some scholars, such as Sheikh Ibn Baz and Al-Uthaymeen?

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Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

We have clarified our stance on the issue of demonstrations, and some scholars have disagreed with us, considering them to be reprehensible innovations or prohibiting them due to the evils and chaos they entail, citing the words of Ibn Baz and Ibn Uthaymeen. Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen believes that demonstrations are not beneficial; rather, they are a gateway to evil and chaos, and they may involve reprehensible acts such as mixing of genders and theft. He deems them permissible only in non-Muslim lands if they are the sole means of obtaining a right. As for Muslim countries, he considers them forbidden and impermissible. We, however, qualify permissibility by the absence of religiously prohibited elements such as gender mixing and aggression against lives and property. Whoever believes that the predominant outcome is corruption and thus prohibits them as a preventative measure (sadd al-dhari'ah) has their viewpoint. However, whoever says that the presence of reprehensible acts is not inherent to them and issued a ruling of permissibility if there is a benefit, and the harm is secured, and the matter is free from religiously prohibited elements, then their opinion is valid, and this is what we issue fatwas for.

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

Read the full answer on Ftawy