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The Ruling on Hunger Strikes

Shaykh Muḥammad Nāṣir al-Dīn al-Albānī explains that hunger strikes as a form of protest, especially outside government palaces, are not permissible for Muslims. He clarifies that this method belongs to non-Muslims and should not be used to express dissatisfaction or demand benefits from rulers.

Questioner:

Is it permissible for people to (protest by way of) hunger strike in front of the ruler’s palace, hoping to achieve some of their demands (from the ruler or government)?

Shaykh Muḥammad Nāṣir al-Dīn al-Albānī:

Abstaining from food?

Questioner:

Abstaining from food in protest and standing outside of the palaces until…

Shaykh Muḥammad Nāṣir al-Dīn al-Albānī:

No, this is the way of the disbelievers. It is not permissible for a Muslim to take this as a means to show his displeasure with things gained from the government (i.e increases in wages, benefits etc).