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Understanding Sadd al-Dharai in Islam

Sadd al-Dharai refers to blocking means that could lead to prohibited ends in Islamic law. It is applied when a normally lawful means is expected to likely produce an unlawful result. The means must be blocked if they violate the objectives of Shariah. Jurists disagree on how broadly or narrowly to apply Sadd al-Dharai. It cannot be used to restrict freedoms granted by God and the Prophet Muhammad. Examples include prohibiting gifts from debtors to creditors or monopolies on essential goods.

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119 views8 pages

Understanding Sadd al-Dharai in Islam

Sadd al-Dharai refers to blocking means that could lead to prohibited ends in Islamic law. It is applied when a normally lawful means is expected to likely produce an unlawful result. The means must be blocked if they violate the objectives of Shariah. Jurists disagree on how broadly or narrowly to apply Sadd al-Dharai. It cannot be used to restrict freedoms granted by God and the Prophet Muhammad. Examples include prohibiting gifts from debtors to creditors or monopolies on essential goods.

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harvindbalan
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© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Topic 10 :

Sadd al Dharai’e
(Blocking the means)
 Dharai is the plural of Dhariah which signify
‘means’.
 Sadd means ‘to block’.
 In Islamic jurisprudence, it means 'blocking

the means to evil'.


 Sadd al-Dharai is often used when a lawful

means is expected to produce an unlawful


result. 
 The 'means' must conform to the 'ends'
(objectives of Shariah) and 'ends' must prevail
over the 'means'.
 If the 'means' violate the purpose of Shariah,

these must be blocked.


 The purpose (Maqasid) of Shariah are

identifiable from the texts. 


 A general principle - 'preventing harm takes
priority over securing a benefit'.
 As such means, if they lead to evil, these must
be rejected.
 Eg: Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) forbade a
creditor to take a gift from debtor (as it could
lead to taking of interest).
 Eg: Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) also forbade
killing of hypocrites (as it could lead to
dissention within community, also lead to
wrongful killing on suspicion).
 Jurists are not in agreement over Sadd al-
Dharai:

 1- Shatibi is of the opinion that most jurists


have accepted it in principle, they differ only
in application.
 2- Ibnu Al Arabi and Abu Zahra are in favour
of moderation in its use.

 3- People of extremist tendencies can use


sadd al-Dharai to restrict human freedom
granted by Allah and the Prophet Muhammad
which must not be allowed to happen. 
 Chp. Al An’am:108
“ and do not abuse those whom they call upon besides Allah, lest
exceeding the limits they shd abuse Allah out of ignorance.”

 Chp. Al Baqarah:104
“O who you believe, don’t say(unto the Prophet): “Listen to us” say
“look upon us,” and be the listeners…”

 The prohibition of PM of the practice of monopoly(ihtikar) was


another proof usually quoted in support of SD. The practice of
ihtikar is forbidden as it will lead to difficulties among ppl
particularly if it is practiced in order to raise the price of essential
goods. In addition, the prohibition of accepting gift from the debtor
by a person who offer loan to him is also quoted.

 The scholars among the companions of the PM is reported to hv


issued a judgment allowing a woman who was divorced when the
husband is in illness leading death to inherit from him in case of his
death. This is to prevent the harm that might befall her in case she is
not allowed to inherit from him. This ruling is derived based on the
principle of SD according to the proponent of this source.
 Means which definitely leads to evil/harm,

 Means which is most likely to lead to evil and


is rarely, if ever, expected to lead to benefit,

 Means which frequently leads to evil but there


is no certainty, not even a probability that
this will always be the case,

 Means which is rarely expected to lead to evil


and is most likely lead to a benefit.

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