The Permanent Committee was asked:
Question:
Some people are lenient in wearing the seat belt refusing its good benefit in terms of protection in a traffic accidents after Allah’s divine success [Tawfeeq]. So what is the advice, your eminence, for the one who is lenient in this affair?
Answer:
“Holding fast to the seat belt while riding the car is a precautionary measure. The intent of it is the protection of the passengers from what they are exposed to while travelling on the road in terms of sudden stops or rollovers or crashing into another car. It is a means, after the will of Allah, to decrease these sudden affairs. Just as that has been supported by comparisons between the effects of accidents when wearing a seat belt and when not wearing a seat belt. If wearing a seat belt causes a great influence on the effects, then it is emphasized for the driver of the car and those riding with him to wear it in order to adhere to the guidance which have been issued from direction of those who are specialized in this affair”.
Shaikh Salih al-Fawzaan hafidhuhallah was asked:
Question:
May Allah be good to you oh possessor of Virtues, the questioner says: what is the ruling on wearing a seat belt from a legislated aspect? According to the statement that it is obligatory, is a person considered sinful if he does not do it?
Answer:
“If there is in wearing the seat belt [a means] to prevent against accidents and in it there is safety, then this is good and it is obligatory. This is from taking the [available] means. Allah ordered us to take the beneficial means and this is from taking the beneficial means. This is especially so if the ruler orders this. Then this [issue] comes from two angles: obeying the ruler and taking the beneficial means. Yes”.
Translated by
Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan
