A number of everyday questions involve important issues of Islamic worship, family rights and the proper use of authority. Among them are whether a retired police officer may use remaining legal powers to prevent harm, whether missed obligatory prayers can be made up during disliked prayer times, and whether a father may eat food purchased privately by his children.
May a Retired Police Officer Use His Authority to Prevent Harm?
Dr. Atiya Lasheen, a member of the Al-Azhar Fatwa Committee, explained that encouraging what is right and preventing wrongdoing are among the means of protecting society from harm.
The Quran states:
“Let there be a group among you inviting to goodness, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong. It is they who will be successful.”
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, also warned against allowing wrongdoing to spread without intervention.
Regarding the retired officer's situation, the ruling depends primarily on whether he still possesses a valid legal authority after retirement.
If he has a current legal power, whether through an existing legal status or an authority that remains valid, and he uses it within the law to prevent harm without abuse, revenge or personal interest, such intervention is not blameworthy.
However, if the authority ended legally when he retired, he may not use a former title or power that is no longer legally his, even if his intention is to prevent harm.
Guidelines for Enjoining Good and Preventing Wrongdoing
Enjoining what is right and preventing wrongdoing does not permit a person to exceed their legal authority or exercise an unlawful influence.
Any intervention should use legitimate means and remain proportionate to the purpose of preventing harm, while respecting the rights of others and complying with applicable laws.
If the retired officer no longer has legal authority, the appropriate course is to notify the competent authorities and seek to prevent the harm through lawful means.
Is Making Up Missed Prayers During Disliked Times Forbidden?
The Egyptian Dar al-Ifta stated that missed obligatory prayers may be made up at all times, including times during which voluntary prayer is generally discouraged.
According to the majority of Islamic jurists, there is no dislikedness in making up missed obligatory prayers during these periods.
What Are the Disliked Prayer Times?
The disliked times generally include the period after Fajr until sunrise, the time of sunrise until the sun rises higher, the period when the sun reaches its highest point until it begins to decline, the period after Asr until sunset, and the time of sunset itself.
There are differences among jurists concerning the exact classification and details of these periods.
Ruling on Making Up Missed Prayers
The majority of Maliki, Shafi'i and Hanbali scholars permit making up missed obligatory prayers during disliked times without considering it disliked.
This distinction is important because the rulings concerning missed obligatory prayers differ from those concerning voluntary prayers for which certain times are prohibited or discouraged.
Therefore, a person who has missed an obligatory prayer may make it up during a disliked time according to the view of the majority.
May a Father Eat His Children's Food Without Permission?
Another ruling concerned a father who supports his family while some of his children work and receive salaries. The children sometimes purchase food specifically for themselves rather than sharing it with the rest of the household.
The ruling referred to the Quranic verse:
“There is no blame upon the blind, nor is there blame upon the lame, nor is there blame upon the ill, nor upon yourselves that you eat from your own houses or the houses of your fathers or the houses of your mothers…” [Quran 24:61]
Islam establishes mutual rights and responsibilities between parents and children, including financial support when it is legally required.
However, this should not be understood as giving a father unlimited permission to take or consume any privately owned property of his children without consent. The child's ownership and privacy should be respected, while family custom and explicit or implicit permission may also be relevant.
At the same time, a father is responsible for providing appropriate support for his children, particularly young children and those unable to earn, according to the applicable rules of maintenance.
Summary of the Rulings
These cases highlight the importance of balancing religious duties with legal boundaries and individual rights. Preventing harm is encouraged, but it does not justify exceeding legal authority. Missed obligatory prayers may be made up during disliked times according to the majority view, while family property should be handled with respect for ownership, consent and established household customs.
Can a retired officer use his former authority?
Only if the authority remains legally valid. Powers that ended upon retirement may not be exercised.
Can missed obligatory prayers be made up during disliked times?
Yes. The majority of jurists permit making up missed obligatory prayers during these periods.
What are the main disliked times for prayer?
They include the period after Fajr until sunrise, sunrise itself, solar noon until decline, after Asr until sunset, and sunset, with some juristic details.
Can a father eat his child's privately purchased food without permission?
The child's ownership should be respected. The ruling depends on consent, established family custom and whether there is explicit or implicit permission.
