Shaykh Sa’d bin Naasir ash-Shithree [May Allaah Preserve him]
Former Member of the Committee of Senior Scholars
Main Administrator for Knowledge International University (KIU)
Jaami’ Imaam Turkee bin ‘Abdullah [May Allaah have Mercy on him], Deerah, ar-Riyadh
4/11/1433 – 20/9/2012
May the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon the Messenger and those who follow him until the Last Day.
Former Member of the Committee of Senior Scholars
Main Administrator for Knowledge International University (KIU)
Jaami’ Imaam Turkee bin ‘Abdullah [May Allaah have Mercy on him], Deerah, ar-Riyadh
4/11/1433 – 20/9/2012
The Shar'eeah has also come with the ruling of its followers
in listening and obeying those placed in charge of them and prohibiting the
members of society in differing from them. As Allaah, the Most High, says:
“O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad), and those
of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst
yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if you believe in Allah and in
the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.” [an-Nisaa 4:59]
Look, if you believe in Allaah and the last day, meaning all
your affairs resort you back to Allaah and the hereafter and the intent in
obeying is not that you have reform in the Dunya alone. Therefore, we learn
from this that we live in the Dunya in order for us to have a high station in
the hereafter and the point of having an established government in the Dunya is
not to have reforms in and of itself, rather all affairs are primarily
connected to the hereafter.
Also from the Saheeh Ahadeeth that have been narrated that
talk about this subject is the Hadeeth of hearing and obeying, ‘Ubaadah ibn
al-Saamit [May Allaah be Pleased with him] said: “The Messenger of Allaah
[Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] called us and we gave bay’ah (oath
of allegiance) to him. Among the things that we pledged to do was to listen and
obey him both when we felt enthusiastic and when we were disinclined to act,
both at times of difficulty and times of ease, and at times when others were
given preference over us, and that we would not oppose those in authority. He
said: ‘unless they made a blatant show of Kufr and you have evidence from
Allaah that what they are doing is indeed Kufr.’” [Saheeh Muslim (1709)]
Also in the Saheeh, whoever obeys me has obeyed Allaah and
whoever disobey me..
It has become increasing popular in recent years that people
are faced with many doubts on this subject, due to the fact that the media has
become global and those who wish to put their anti-government views out to the
masses, then it has become easy for him to do so. There is no doubt that
listening to these types of messages are causes which leading many people to
follow the ways of immorality therefore it is incumbent for us all to compare
what we hear and think to the bounds of the Shar'eeah and what is right, before
we act upon it or accept it in our views and opinions.
From these types of calls that have propped up is the call
that the rulers are oppressive and they don’t care about the mass population. So
if we take this an example, let’s compare it to what Islam and the texts of Shar’eeah
say.
The texts of Kitaab and the Sunnah has prohibited us from
taking the wealth of others and there is a great sin for those who do this.
“… By Allaah, no one of you takes something
unlawfully but he will meet Allaah carrying it on the Day of Resurrection.”
[Narrated by al-Bukhaaree (6578) and Muslim (1832)]
However, despite this, it is not permissible for those
living in society to leave the allegiance and obedience of the ruler. This is
because, the oppressive ruler is not a cause for us to leave obedience to him
and in fact, revolt could have more severe consequences than his oppression.
The prophet said
It is narrated on the authority of Ibn Ma’sood that the
Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] said, “You will
see after me, rulers that will do things that you will dislike.” So it was
asked, “What should we do, Oh Messenger of Allaah?” He replied, “Give the
rulers their rights (i.e. obey them).” [al-Bukhaaree (6644)]
And there are many more evidences which prove that leaving obedience
and the allegiance to ruler is not allowed, especially if the objections are
connected to worldly affairs.
There are other calls out there which are calling the people
to leave the obedience to the rulers and revolt against them but the benchmark
for the Muslim should be the Quran and the Sunnah, and we will find many
textual proofs proving that doing so is Haraam and that the people of Eeman are
ordered to listen and obey, even if the ruler is involved with some sins.
“Whosoever sees something from his leader of sin, then let
him hate whatever occurs from sin. And let him not remove his hand from
obedience, since whoever removes his hand from disobedience and splits off from
the Jamaa’ah (united body), then he dies the death of Jaahiliyyah” Related by
al-Bukhaaree (13/5) and Muslim (no. 1849)
Meaning, in the times of Jaahiliyyah, they would disobey the
ruler and go behind is back and if they didn’t like him, they would plot
against him. This is different to way of the people of Islaam. These are the
ones who seek the pleasure of Allaah by listening and obeying the rulers.
If a person says, I don’t like some of the things that the
rulers do.
We say to him, it is still not permissible for him to leave
the obedience of the ruler.
So be patient,
“Whosoever sees something from his leader of sin, then let
him hate whatever occurs from sin. And let him not remove his hand from
obedience, since whoever removes his hand from disobedience and splits off from
the Jamaa’ah (united body), then he dies the death of Jaahiliyyah” Related by
al-Bukhaaree (13/5) and Muslim (1849)
Some people even disagree with the policies of the rulers,
whether they are domestic or international politics. We say, this is not your juristiction.
You are a member of society and you are obligated to follow the ruler and he is
obligated to rule according to the Shar’eeah, therefore you are not going to be
questioned for what he does. At times these people need to be advised that
following and obeying the ruler is a must upon them and that they are ruling by
the Quraan and the Sunnah as an act of worship based on their Ijtihaad. Furthermore, you may see something as being
something bad but they have the broader picture and are aware of the consequences
of their actions. If still you are not happy with the affairs of the ruler,
then it is upon the Muslim to advise the ruler and therefore you will be free
from any blame in front of Allaah.
Added to this, if every person left the allegiance of the
ruler based on what they thought was wrong then this would lead to chaos to
spread across the land. The opposite is also true, if we obey and stick to the
ruler then unity and the truth will spread.
“Time will pass quickly, good deeds will
decrease, miserliness will be thrown (in people’s hearts), Fitnah will appear,
and there will be much Al-Haraj.” The Companions asked, “O Messenger of Allaah!
What is Al-Haraj?”. The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him]
replied, “Killing! Killing!” [Narrated by Al-Bukhaaree]
This is a prophecy that we have been told will happen,
meaning people will act upon their own thoughts, leaving the Quran and the
Sunnah and as a result, chaos and murder will spread throughout the lands. Therefore,
what is good and wholesome for us all, cannot be found outside the Kitaab and
the Sunnah. This Hadeeth shows that knowledge will be lifted and a result
people will be ignorant of the texts and will act upon their ignorance. So this
a great advice from the prophet, on the final hajj, he said on the planes of 'Arafah.
“Do not return to Kufr after me, beating the necks of each
other.” [al-Bukhaaree (1739 and Muslim (66)]
The prophet also warned us against the Fitnah that will
occur, a Fitnah were people see something bad as being something good and they
think that what is good as being bad. As it is narrated in as-Saheeh,
“There will come a time when Fitnah will spread; the person
laying down will be better than the one who is standing, the one standing is
better than the one who is walking and the one walking is better than the one
who is running…” [al-Bukhaaree (7081) and Muslim (2886)]
Applying this to our country here, we must obey the ruler
and not leave his allegiance, despite the call of some of Ahl al-Bid'ah who are
trying to sway people away from listening and obeying the ruler here. They are
trying to cause disunity, arguments and disarray amongst the people, something
that the people of Eeman will never obey them in. this nation is based on one
call and as a result their affairs are based upon guidance.
Some people have also began a call labelling the rulers or
those in charge as people who sin and that following these people is
questionable.
In answer to this, we say we can’t follow the people who
make this call for many reasons. From them, that the person who is spreading
these rumours about the rulers and those in charge is not someone who is
qualified for us to take knowledge from, because these people spreading the
faults of others is someone who is a sinner himself, as this is a type of
backbiting. Added to this, you don’t know if this person who is spreading this
call is someone who is trustworthy for you to take knowledge from,
“O you who believe! If a rebellious evil person comes to you with a news,
verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become
regretful to what you have done.” [al-Hujaraat 49:6]
Therefore, the information and the call this person is
calling to be rejected and it is upon you not to listen to every piece of
information you hear until you are certain that it is correct.
“It is sufficient lying for a man to speak of
everything that he hears.” [Narrated by Muslim (5)]
And,
“Whoever narrates a Hadeeth from me knowing that it is false, he
is one of the liars.” [Narrated by Muslim in the introduction to his Saheeh
(pg.7)]
Furthermore, looking for faults in people is a sin and a
form of gheebah, therefore seeking faults in the rulers is a major sin. So
following these people spreading gheebah and talking about the faults of others
is not allowed;
“Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother?
You would hate it (so hate backbiting) . And fear Allah…” [al-Hujaraat 49:12]
And there are many evidences that can be applied to the
rejection of this call, such as the fact that Islam calls for us to stick to
the Jama'ah and the prohibition of making people split into groups.
The Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] has
explained clearly that the sins of the ruler doesn’t negate the fact that we
obey him and have allegiance to him;
“There will be rulers over you. You will agree with some of
what they come with and reject some of it. Whoever rejects what must be
rejected will maintain his innocence and whoever hates it will maintain his
innocence. However, those who accept (what should be denied) and follow the
ruler will be sinners. The Companions said: “O Messenger of Allah, shall we
fight these rulers?” He said: “No, as long as they pray.” [Muslim (1854)]
So it is Waajib for us to listen and obey and to leave any
call that calls the people to leave allegiance to them and splitting away from
the Jama'ah.
The
Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The best among your Imams (rulers) are those
whom you love and they love you, pray (make supplication) for you and you pray
for them, and the worst of your rulers are those whom you hate and they hate
you and you curse them and they curse you.”
Someone
asked: “O Allah Messenger, Shall we confront them with swords?”
The
Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “No, as long as they hold prayers among you.
If you see from your rulers what you hate, hate the action they do but do not
rebel against them.” [Muslim (2853)]
So if you see something you dislike from the rulers, we do
not remove our allegiance to him. So listening and obeying the rulers is
established for the Muslim except if he orders us to do something haram, in
which case you don’t follow him, as obedience to Allaah is before obedience
other than Him.
“And they will say: "Our Lord! Verily, we obeyed our
chiefs and our great ones, and they misled us from the (Right) Way.” [al-Ahzaab
33:67]
“Obedience is only with regard to that which is right and
proper.” [al-Bukhaari (4085) and Muslim (1840)]
Therefore, there is no obedience in what involves disobedience
to Allaah, and this is the explanation of the Aayah;
“Surely, the religion (i.e. the worship and the obedience) is for Allah
only” [az-Zumar 39:3]
Meaning you don’t obey anybody from the people, no matter
who he is, before the obedience of Allaah. This is also the Tafseer of the Aayah
“Do not put (yourselves) forward before Allah and His Messenger, and fear
Allah” [al-Hujaraat 49:1]
The point is, we obey the ruler and don’t leave his allegiance
unless he orders us to disobey Allaah, as obedience is done for the sake of Allaah
and seeking his reward, and the benefit of it in the Dunya, such as being
united and harmony.
So those people who call upon us to leave the obedience and allegiance
towards the rulers are only calling for evil, even if they claim they are
calling to something good. This is because they say that the reforms they are
looking for instil justice and remove oppression and financial difficulty,
however disobeying the ruler will lead to further detrimental consequences. The
hadith of Hudathyfah who said;
"The
people used to ask the Messenger of Allaah [Peace
and Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] about the good, and I used to ask him about
the bad, out of fear that it would reach me. So I asked the Messenger of
Allaah: "O Messenger of Allaah, we were living in ignorance and bad then
Allaah brought this good to us. So will there be any bad after this good?" He
replied: "Yes." I then asked: "Will there be any good after this
bad?"
He
replied: "Yes, but it will be tainted." So I asked: "What will
be its taint?" He replied: "A people who guide others to other than
my way, you will approve of some of their actions and disapprove of
others." I further enquired: "Then is there any bad after
this good?" He said: "Yes! Callers at the gates of Hell - whoever
responds to their call, they will be thrown into the fire." I then said:
" O Messenger of Allaah! Describe them to us." He said: "They
will be from our people and speak our language." I asked: "So what do
you order me to do if that reaches me?" He said: "Stick to the
Jamaa'ah (the united body) of the Muslims and their Imaam (ruler)." I
further asked: "What if they have neither Jamaa'ah or an Imaam?" He
said: "Then keep away from all those sects, even if you have to bite upon
the roots of a tree, until death reaches you whilst you are in that state."
[Narrated by al-Bukhaaree (3606) and Muslim (1847)]
Following the ruler and obeying has also great benefits and
wisdoms behind it, and these are perhaps why we are obligated to stick to their
allegiance. From them include;
-Peace to spread throughout society and repelling of fear
-Organisation of the society, therefore the affairs related
to the Dunya and the affairs which lead to them working for the hereafter being
organised, such as the establishment of Salaah, Hajj and 'Umrah and seeking of
knowledge and other pillars of Islaam etc.
-The infrastructure of society is only established is people
obey the laws of the ruler and cooperate with him in this. Without this, the
infrastructure of the country and society will be torn and thus disunity will
be invited.
-The blood and wealth of people being protected by the ruler
and the Hudood that Allaah has set for him to follow in Shar'eeah. Therefore
blood is not shed and the lives and wealth of people is preserved. Darooriyah
khams
-If there is obedience to the ruler then the lesser forms of
obedience’s will also be found in the society, such as the bonds between father
and son and husband and wife. Therefore the society will be a place of harmony
and relationships between each other will not be tarnished.
-That the Ummah is united and the religion of Islaam can spread.
Those who attack Islaam can be defended however without having a ruler that we
obey, we are disunited into groups and confused.
-The ruler is also a guide for the evils that may spread in
the Ummah to be stopped, such as drugs and alcohol and theft. If you have a
ruler then you will obey him and obey Allaah and not partake in illegal activities.
-The ruler places rules and regulations that people use in
their daily lives so that the society is organised and working in order. For
example, highway codes exits to protect the welfare of people travelling throughout
the land and without obedience to this point, the lives of people will be at
stake due to the risk of accidents.
-The ruler is also the leader and the one who order for enjoining
good and forbidding evil throughout society. Without a figurehead, there would
be no structure to this type of policing.
These are some of the wisdoms behind in following and
obeying the ruler.
I ask Allah to make the affairs of our Dunya and Aakhira
easy and rectified, I ask Allaah to make the word of the Muslims united on the
truth and to help the rulers of Islaam to rule by the Quraan and the Sunnah and
all the ways to good. Oh Allaah, help all the Muslims from east to west. All
the Muslims in all the lands. Oh Allaah, whoever intends against Islaam and the
Muslims evil, then make his plotting return back to him and make it surround
him, by your power and might, oh Allaah. Oh Allaah, al-Hayy al-Qayyoom, protect
our land here and make us of those who uphold the rules of Shar'eeah so that we
make get close to you.
And Allaah Knows bestMay the Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon the Messenger and those who follow him until the Last Day.
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