الأَرْبَعِينَ فِي طَاعَةِ وَلِيِّ أَمْرِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ
40 Ahadeeth of
Obeying the Muslim Ruler
Translated & Compiled
By
Abbas Abu Yahya
______________________________
Hadeeth no. 4
Hadeeth No. Four – Having Patience
From Ibn Abbas – RadhiAllaahu anhumma – who said the Messenger of Allaah -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- said:
مَن كَرِهَ مِن أميرِه شيئًا فليَصبِرْ؛ فإنَّه مَن خَرَجَ مِنَ السُّلطانِ شِبرًا ماتَ مِيتةً جاهِليَّةً.
‘Whoever disliked something from his ruler then he must be patient[1], since indeed whoever rebels[2] against the ruler the amount of a hand span dies the death of Jahileeyah.’[3]
Explanation
[1] Hafidh Ibn Hajar (d. 852 A.H.) quotes Ibn Battal (d. 449 A.H.) saying:
‘This Hadeeth is evidence in leaving off rebelling against the ruler even if he is oppressive. The scholars are in consensus about the obligation of having obedience to the overpowering ruler, and performing Jihad along with him, also that obedience to him is better than rebelling against him, due to what occurs of the spilling of blood and to prevent any chaos among people, and their evidence is this narration as well as other proofs which aid this. The scholars have no exception in this matter except if there occurs clear-cut disbelief from the ruler, then it is not allowed to obey him in that, in fact it is obligatory to make jihad against him for the one who has the ability to do so…’
[Fath al-Bari 9/13]
[2] Rebellions Begin by Criticizing the Rulers
It is mentioned in ‘Tareekh At-Tabari’ (4/341) that the Jew Abdullaah ibn Saba used to say: ‘Begin by criticizing and attacking your rulers. And appear to enjoin the good and forbid evil so the people incline towards you.’
[‘Tareekh At-Tabari’ (4/341)]
Rebelling Against the Ruler
From Abi al-Harith who said: I asked Abu Abdullaah [Imam Ahmad] about a matter that occurred in Baghdad, that a group wanted to rebel against the ruler?
Imam Ahmad criticised them and began saying:
‘SubhanaAllaah, the blood of the people, the blood of the people. I do not hold the opinion of rebelling, nor do I order it. Being patient upon our circumstances is better than the Fitnah of spilling blood, and of making permissible to take people’s wealth, and violations and abuse occur. Did you not know what occurred with the people – in the days of Fitnah?’
I replied: ‘Are not the people today in Fitnah O Abaa Abdullaah?’
He said:
‘Even though, indeed they are in a specific Fitnah, and if the sword sways down the Fitnah becomes general and paths are cut off, and it is better for you to be patient, so you and your Deen is secure.’
I saw that Imam Ahmad would criticise rebelling against the Rulers.’
[Al-Khalaal narrated in ‘as-Sunnah’ (89)]
al-Imam Abu Jafar al-Azdi at- Tahawi – rahimahuhllaah – said:
‘We do not hold the opinion that it is allowed to rebel against our rulers and those who are in authority, even if they are oppressive. Nor do we make dua against them, nor do we remove ourselves from being obedient to them. We hold the view that obedience to them is an obligation in obedience to Allaah -Azza wa Jal – as long as they do not order us to sin. We make dua for them to be righteous and pardoning.’
[Sharh al – Aqeedah Tahaweeyah]
[3] [Collected by Bukhari in ‘al – Jamia as – Saheeh & Muslim]