What is sadd al-dhara'i' (blocking the means)?
The principle of "blocking the means" (sadd al-dhara'i') means blocking paths and means that lead to corruption and the forbidden. This applies to matters that appear permissible on the surface but ultimately lead to harm or the forbidden. Scriptural texts and scholarly consensus have affirmed its validity.
Means (dhara'i') are divided into three categories:
1. Means that must be blocked by consensus: Such as reviling idols if it leads to reviling Allah.
2. Means that do not have to be blocked by consensus: If the harm involved is counteracted by a greater, overriding benefit, such as planting grapevines.
3. Means over which there is disagreement: Such as sales that could potentially be a means to usury (riba).
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 24000
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy