Chapter 14: Ends Do Not Justify Means
Obedience to Allah Almighty is manifested by behaviour that pleases Him. No rational Muslim commits unlawful actions in the belief that these will please Allah. It is clearly nonsensical to postulate that closeness to Him can be achieved through actions that distance people from Him.
Thus, it is not valid to justify visits to discos and bars with claims that it is done to enjoin others to the good. Nor, in Islamic law, is it valid for politicians to cheat, lie or try to deceive the public with claims that after stability is achieved, all wrongs will be righted. The supreme point of honourable political behaviour is demonstrated by Imam Ali’s (‘a) response, when he was advised by companions to secure political authority via the provisional endorsement of Mu’awyah in Syria, and to rescind it later by dismissing him. Imam Ali (‘a) refused their suggestion on the grounds that 'Ends do not justify means'.
On another occasion people opined Mu’awyah to be more politically astute than Imam Ali (‘a) - To this, he (‘a) responded, 'By Allah, Mu’awyah is not of good judgment, he is merely deceitful and prepared to commit evil acts. If I did not despise deceit, I would be the most cunning of men. However, deceit is a sin and sin is disobedience to Allah. Every deceitful person will be obliged to bear the banner by which they will be recognized on the Day of Judgement.'1
No Muslim is permitted to poison water or bomb centres of population, even if that is thought to be the only way a battle may be won. This prohibition is based upon the hadith narrated by Imam Ali (‘a) in which the Prophet (S) ordered, 'DO NOT poison non-believers' sources of water.'
Indeed, using unlawful means to achieve ends is the antithesis of achieving one's objectives. Muslims are counselled to remain honest and to adhere to Islamic principles at all times.
Those who try to attain objectives via sin and illegitimate action hasten their failure and guarantee their disappointment.2
‘Umar Ibn Sa’ad was promised the governorship of Rayy - Tehran - if he killed Imam Husayn (‘a) - Driven by desire to control the treasures of Iran he readily carried out every atrocity imaginable in Karbala. However, once he had committed that most heinous of acts, Yazid denied him the governorship. It is thus clear that lawful actions are the appropriate means by which to secure honourable ends.
