Boycotting

Firstly, we need to understand the definition of the term ‘boycott.’ A boycott refers to withdrawing from commercial or social relations with a country, organization, or person as a punishment or protest. 

The withdrawal and the instructions of Rasulullah SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam to withdraw from engaging in any form of communication with the 3 Sahaaba RadiAllahu Anhum who did not participate in the battle of Tabuk was not on the basis of a ‘boycott’ as understood in the western world or defined above. We should understand that the command of Allah and His Rasul SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam will always enjoy superiority and preference over everything in the world. At the time of Tabuk it was obligatory upon every individual to participate in the battle and it was the crop harvesting season as well, hence the difficulty in fulfilling this command of Allah and His Rasul SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam. The three Sahaaba RadiAllahu Anhum in question remained behind in Madinah Sharif without a valid Shari’ee excuse as can be understood from the books of Hadith, and they even thought of presenting some excuse before Rasulullah SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam (as the hypocrites would do) on his return from Tabuk but eventually spoke the truth. Rasulullah SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam then decided to cut relations with these Sahaaba RadiAllahu Anhum and eventually instructed the remaining companions to do the same. This was actually a matter of Islaah and spiritual reformation. 

The greatest Sheikh of Tasawwuf in the Ummah was none other than Rasulullah SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam and the greatest disciples were none other than the Sahaaba RadiAllahum Anhum. The Sheikh in order to correct and rectify his Mureeds and disciples is permitted to use various ways and methods with the proviso that it falls within the limits of Shariah. Can we ever imagine that Rasulullah SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam would implement such a method that is against Shariah particularly when his entire life was governed by Wahi? Obviously not! It was actually the love of wealth that held certain Sahaaba behind from participating in the battle and it was this aspect that required rectification. 

When the Islaah of these Sahaaba RadiAllahu Anhum was completed, Allah Ta’ala Himself granted them glad tidings in the Quraan Sharif and declared that their Tauba was accepted. When their Islaah was done, the love of wealth no longer remained in their hearts and they offered all their wealth (which prevented them from participating in Jihaad) in the path of Allah. In conclusion, this severing of relations was carried out on the basis of spiritual rectification. 

This incident can in no way used to prove ‘boycotting’ as understood in this day and age. We haven’t come across any narrations or verses that prove boycotting of products so that the Kuffar mend their ways and stop persecuting the Muslims. If the Muslims didn’t have sufficient manpower to fight the Kuffar as was their condition when living in Makkah Sharif then they were commanded to exercise patience, and when they had sufficient ability to fight the Kuffar as was their condition when they migrated to Madinah Sharif then they were permitted to fight the Kuffar due to being oppressed. This is the actual way of combating and countering the Kuffar and not by boycotting their products. If 2 billion Muslims in the world boycott their products then there are another 7 billion Kuffar to support them and purchase their products. So, boycotting is not the actual solution in trying to rectify the ways of the Kuffar. Yes, we do agree that it will affect their turnover to some extent but that is not sufficient enough to prevent their oppression. Taking to streets, boycotting, handing over letters to the various embassies hasn’t really changed the situation. 

At the same time, there is no prohibition in avoiding purchase of products of the Kuffar in Islam. In fact, we as Muslims should support our stores and manufacturers rather than supporting the Kuffar as it is the Muslim businessmen that support our Masaajid, Madrasahs, discharge Zakaat, Lillah, Sadaqah, etc.