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What is the ruling on one who does something of which he suspects it might be unlawful?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

A Muslim is not permitted to do something about which they doubt its prohibition, except after asking the people of knowledge, for Allah, the Exalted, says: "So ask the people of the message if you do not know." (An-Nahl: 43). And for one who cannot readily ask a trustworthy scholar, it is better for them to avoid what is doubtful to them, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Whoever avoids doubtful matters has certainly cleared himself for his religion and his honor." Doubts are divided into three categories:

1. That whose prohibition is known, but there is doubt regarding the continuation of its prohibition. It is not permissible to proceed with it except with certainty.

2. That whose permissibility is known, but there is doubt regarding its prohibition. Such doubt is not taken into consideration.

3. That about which there is doubt regarding its prohibition and permissibility equally. It is better to abstain from it.

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

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