Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear Shaikh in Islam,

I would like to ask a question that a traffic police officer is informing that crossing red signal is Haram as per the fatwa of Shaikh Bin Baz. I argued with him that at 5.15 am no vehicle is on the particular signal and after seeing him passing the signal on the opposite road signal, I crossed the signal thinking that the signal is green and before that I was waiting for the green signal. But he refused to pardon me and after a distance of 1 km, he came behind me (which I did not know about his arrival) and filled the penalty slip and informed me that you have to pay SR 300/- as penalty. Even though I explained the situation, he declined to pardon me. Is it Haram for crossing the red signal when no vehicle is seen in the small road of a traffic light especially in the early morning?

Thanking you in advance awaiting for your religious verdict.

Best regards,

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Breaking signal light

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: Is it Haram for crossing the red signal when no vehicle is seen in the small road of a traffic light especially in the early morning?

Firstly brother, we must understand that to declare something halaal or haraam is the sole and exclusive right of Allah and His Messenger (saws) alone. No human being has a right to declare something haraam from himself, which has not been specifically stated as haraam by Allah and His Messenger (saws).

A believer must abide by the laws of the land where one resides, especially so if the laws are made for the benefit and protection of all. One who breaks such laws will not only be considered a wrong-doer in the sight of the law of the world, he will also be accountable for breaking such laws in the Hereafter.

Crossing a red signal, even in the middle of the silent night, when there is no one or car in sight, endangers not only one’s own life, but also the life of others; and that would definitely be considered a sin in the sight of Islam. One just has to imagine the disaster if another driver, in another car thinks the exact same thing and breaks a red traffic signal!!

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan