Traffic Laws?
Question
Q. Do we in South Africa have to obey the traffic laws of the country? Is it permissible to drive over the speed limit?
Answer
Muslims living in a non-Muslim country are duty-bound to obey the laws of the country as long as they are not contrary to the Shari’ah.
The Fuqaha (Jurists) have stated that public amenities, for example roads, parks etc should be used without causing harm to others. (al-Mausu’atul Fiqhiyyah al-Kuwaitiyyah, Vol: 28, Pg: 353)
Since speeding over the limit is a potential danger to the lives of others, it will not be permissible to violate the speed limit that has been regulated by the government without a valid reason. Muslims are advised to ensure that they obey traffic rules at all times.
And Allah Knows Best
- Answered by
- Mufti Suhail Tarmahomed
- Checked by
- Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Fatawa SA is an independent, read-only index of fatawa already published by Jamiatul Ulama KZN. It is not a fatwa service. For your own situation, ask the issuing Darul Ifta directly.