FatwaFederal TerritoriesSocial & Contemporary Issues
IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE-588: HUKUM KIBAR BENDERA PUTIH UNTUK MEMINTA BANTUAN
Is it permissible to fly a white flag as a signal to ask for help during hardship?
Short answer
The ruling on using a white flag to ask for help depends on how the act is viewed.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Irsyad al-Hukum (Umum)
- Topic
- Social & Contemporary Issues
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
The ruling on using a white flag to ask for help depends on how the act is viewed. If the purpose is to help those in need by making it easier for donors to identify people in hardship, it is permissible. If it is seen as exposing oneself to disgrace, it is better avoided. Asking for help by those truly in difficulty is allowed, and since many parties and contact numbers are available, the method chosen is left to each person's judgement.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Jika perbuatan itu atas dasar membantu mereka yang memerlukan dengan cara memudahkan pihak yang ingin memberi bantuan dan mengenal pasti pihak yang dalam kesusahan, maka boleh dilaksanakan.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE-588: HUKUM KIBAR BENDERA PUTIH UNTUK MEMINTA BANTUAN”, 1 July 2021. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/irsyad-hukum/umum/4853-irsyad-al-fatwa-siri-ke-588-hukum-kibar-bendera-putih-untuk-meminta-bantuan. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/ruling-flying-white-flag-ask-help/