Question:
What is the meaning of the statement “It is not correct to say the origin of things is permissibility?”
Answer:
It is similar to what Al-Imaam As-Sa’di rahimahullah mentioned in his poem on the principles of fiqh:
و الاصل في عاداتنا الإباحة
“And the origin concerning our customs is that they are permissible”
حتى يجيء صارف الإباحة
“Until there comes that which changes its ruling away from its permissibility.”
And the customs of the people are things which they usually do from what benefits them. So yes the orgin pertaining to things which are of benefit to mankind is permissibility. And the origin concerning harmful things is that they are regarded haraam. However the majority of the scholars may use this general term الأصل في الأشياء الإباحة ‘The origin in things is permissibility” while intending what was mentioned above.
And Allah knows best.
Answered by
AbdulFattaah bin Uthman
Abu Fajr
