Question:

What is the ruling on being a traffic officer knowing that there is, as is not hidden from you, oppositions to the Shariah like the greeting [of the] the police chief and standing for him when he enters and other than that of oppositions to the Shairah. So what is the ruling on this work?

Answer:

If the intent of this question is working out of choice in the police, then as long as there is what was mentioned in the question of many oppositions to the shariah, we advise every Muslim who fears Allah and has taqwa of him that he does not employ himself in the likes of these employments. Unlike the one who is forced as is the affair in regards to some offices, like in the military for example. So this takes another ruling.

As for a Muslim choosing to become a soldier or policeman and in it is oppositions to the Shariah, then this is what is not necessary for the Muslim to employ himself with.

First, due to the well-known statement of Allah:

وَلاَ تَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى الإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ

And do not help one another in sin and transgression.

[5:2]

Secondly, it has come in some Ahaadith* from the Prophet sallahu alayhi wa salam that prohibits the Muslim in the time in which the rulings of the pure legislation are not able to be established, that he not be a policeman or revenue collector or the likes of that employment in which it is required to act in opposition to what Allah and his Messenger commanded.

This is my answer to this question.

* The Hadith the Shaikh is referencing is the following:

ليأتين عليكم أمراء يقربون شرار الناس، و يؤخرون الصلاة عن مواقيتها، فمن أدرك ذلك منكم، فلا يكونن عريفا و لا شرطيا و لا جابيا و لا خازنا

There will come upon you leaders who will bring near the wicked people and delay the prayer from its prescribed times. So whoever among you finds that, then let him not be a monitor, a policeman, revenue collector, or treasurer.

[Silsilatus-Saheeha no. 360]

Taken from the video here.

Translated by

Faisal ibn Abdul Qaadir ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan