In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

The Great Responsibility of The Position of Leadership

Abu Dharr [may Allah be pleased with him] said, “I said to the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him], ‘Will you not appoint me to a public office?’ He stroked my shoulder with his hand and said, ‘Abu Dharr! You are weak and authority is a trust, and on the Day of judgment it is a cause of humiliation, and repentance except for one who fulfills its obligations and (properly) discharges the duties attendant thereon'”. [Saheeh Muslim 1825]

Imaam An-Nawawi [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “This hadeeth is a great principle with regards to avoiding leadership, especially for the one who lacks the power to fulfill the tasks of that leadership. Disgrace and regret (afflicts) the one who is not worthy of leadership or he is worthy but not just, so Allah [The Exalted] disgraces and exposes him on the day of resurrection, and he regrets his shortcomings. As for the one who is worthy of leadership and he is just, he has great virtue such as what is mentioned in the hadeeth regarding the seven who will be shaded on the day of judgment”. [Sharh Saheeh Muslim. Vol 12. Page 177. slightly paraphrased]

Abdur Rahmaan Bin Shumasa [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “I came to A’isha [may Allaah be pleased with her] to inquire something from her. She said, ‘From which people are you?’ I said, ‘I am from the people of Egypt’. She said, ‘What was the behaviour of your governor towards you in this war of yours?’ I said, ‘We did not experience anything bad from him. If the camel of a man from us died, he would bestow on him a camel. If any one of us lost his slave, he would give him a slave. If anybody was in need of the basic necessities of life, he would provide them with provisions’. She said, ‘Behold! the treatment that was meted out to my brother, Muhammad Bin Abu Bakr, does not prevent me from telling you what I heard from Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of allaah be upon him]. He said in this house of mine, ‘O Allaah! Whoever (happens to) acquire some kind of control over the affairs of my people and is hard upon them, be hard upon him, and who (happens to) acquire some kind of control over the affairs of my people and is kind to them, be kind to him”. [Saheeh Muslim 1828a]

Regarding the statement of the Prophet: “O Allaah! Whoever (happens to) acquire some kind of control over the affairs of my people and is hard upon them, be hard upon him, and who (happens to) acquire some kind of control over the affairs of my people and is kind to them, be kind to him”, Imaam An-Nawawi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “This is one of the strongest rebukes against bringing about hardship upon the people and the greatest urge towards being kind to them”. [Sharh Saheeh Muslim Vol 12. Page 179-180. slightly paraphrased]

Abu Hurairah [may Allaah be pleased with him] reported: “One day Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] stood among us (to deliver a sermon). He talked about the misappropriation of booty, and declared it to be a serious matter and a grave sin. Then he said, ‘I shouldn’t find that any of you should come on the Day of Judgment with a growling camel mounted on his neck, and should appeal to me for help saying, ‘Messenger of Allah, help me’ and I should say, ‘I cannot avail you against Allaah at all; I already communicated to you’. I shouldn’t find that any of you should come on the Day of Judgment with a bleating ewe mounted on his neck, and he should say to me, ‘Messenger of Allah, help me’ and I should say, ‘I cannot avail you against Allaah at all; I conveyed to you’. I shouldn’t find that one of you should come on the Day of Judgment with a person crying loudly mounted on his neck, and he should say to me, ‘Messenger of Allah, help me’, and I should say, ‘I cannot avail you against Allaah at all; I conveyed to you’. I shouldn’t find that any one of you should come on the Day of Judgment with fluttering clothes wrapped round his neck and he should say to me, ‘Messenger of Allah, help me’, and I should say, ‘I cannot avail you against Allaah at all; I conveyed to you’. I shouldn’t find that any of you should come on the Day of Judgment with a heap of gold and silver placed on his neck and he should say to me, ‘Messenger of Allah, help me’, and I should say, ‘I cannot avail you against Allaah at all; I already conveyed to you (the warning from the Almighty)'”. [saheeh Muslim 1831a]

Regarding the statement of the Prophet, “I cannot avail you against Allah at all”, Imaam An-Nawawi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] stated that Al-Qaadhee [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said that this means “(Cannot avail you against Allaah) with regards to forgiveness and intercession, except by the will of Allaah [The Exalted]”. This statement of the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] is (a manifestation of) anger towards this person – at first – due to his wrong deed, then thereafter the Prophet will intercede for all the Muwahhideen [i.e. those who died upon the creed of pure Islamic monotheism]…[Sharh Saheeh Muslim. Vol 12. Page 182. slightly paraphrased]

Adee Bin Amirah Al-Kindi [may Allaah be pleased with him] said, “I heard Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] say, ‘ Whosoever from you is appointed by us to a position of authority and he conceals from us a needle or something smaller than that, it would be misappropriation (of public funds) and will (have to) produce it on the Day of Judgment’. The narrator says: A dark-complexioned man from the Ansar stood up – I can visualise him still – and said, ‘O Allaah’s Messenger! Take back from me your assignment’. He said, ‘What has happened to you?’ The man said, ‘I have heard you say so and so’. He said, ‘I say that (even) now: Whosoever from you is appointed by us to a position of authority, he should bring everything, big or small, and whatever he is given therefrom he should take, and he should restrain himself from taking that which is forbidden'”. [Saheeh Muslim 1833a]

The Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Any man whom Allaah has given authority to look after the affairs of a people and he dies whilst not looking after them [in the manner obligated by Allaah and His Messenger], he will not smell the scent of paradise”. [Saheeh Al-Bukhaari’ Number 7150]

Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “This does not (only) refer to the Muslim ruler, his assistant or a minister, or the elders of a people; rather it applies even to a man in his house. If he dies and did not look after his family (in the manner obligated by Allaah and His Messenger), then indeed Allaah will prevent him from smelling the scent of paradise. And those who give their families games (or means of amusement) that corrupt manners and destroy (sound) belief, then there is no doubt that they have not looked after their families (in the manner obligated by Allaah and His Messenger in this affair). And if they die whilst being upon this state, it is feared that Allaah will prevent them from smelling the scent of paradise. [At-taleeq Alas Siyaasatish Shar’iyyah. page 35]

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “The sinners [i.e. those who die whilst committing sins lesser than shirk] are under the will of Allaah- if Allaah wishes, He will either punish them or forgive them straight away, or He enters them into hell for some time and paradise thereafter, just as Allaah said: [إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَغۡفِرُ أَن يُشۡرَكَ بِهِۦ وَيَغۡفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٲلِكَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ‌-Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases. [Surah An-Nisaa’ Aayah 48] https://www.binbaz.org.sa/noor/2527

Obedience to The Rulers In Good and Not to Rebel Even When They Are Oppressive

Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “Indeed, you will see Atharatan after me and affairs you’ll disapprove; they [i.e. the people] said, ‘What do you command us O Allaah’s Messenger?’ He said, ‘Fulfil their rights [i.e. the rulers] and ask Allaah for your rights'”.

Atharatan: meaning- [some people will give precedence to themselves (i.e. spend wealth on themselves and engage in worldly enjoyment, but will not give others their rightful share)].

Al-Allaamah Zaid Bin Haadi Al-Madkhali [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: This authentic hadeeth is related to the affair of the rulers- during the end of time – when they will give precedence to themselves through enjoyment of the worldly things and those under their authority will face harm, something of oppression and tyranny; so the Prophet [peace and bllessings of Allaah be upon him] guided and directed the people to fulfil the rights of the rulers; obey and listen to them in that which is good- whether it is during a time in which one is enthusiastic [to listen and obey them in what is good] or feeling laxadaisical- perform Jihaad behind their banner against the enemies of the religion, establish the prayer and behave in a manner obligated by the Islamic legislation. They should not rebel against the ruler just because he is a sinner or an oppressor, nor refrain from giving him the rights obligated on them to give him; rather they should fulfil his rights just as the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] commanded them, saying, “Fulfil their rights”.

Therefore, the ruler has rights that should be fulfilled by his subjects and the subjects also have rights to be fulfilled by the ruler. It is obligated on the ruler to fulfil their rights and it is obligated on them to fulfil his rights. However, if he [i.e. the ruler] falls short in something related to their rights, it is not permissible for them to [deliberately] fall short in fulfilling his rights. And due to the great importance of rulership and the rulers, indeed the Prophet commanded them to fulfil the obligation of As-sam’i Wat-taa’ah [i.e. to listen and obey the ruler in good], refrain from disobedience[when commanded to do something good], supplicate to Allaah to make their affairs easy and change their state of affairs to that which is good, aid them to fulfil their needs and those affairs they cannot do without.

This hadeeth contains a miracle of the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] and that is the fact that he clearly stated that during the end of time, the rulers will give precedence to themselves with something of wealth and worldly enjoyment, and others will be deprived of it. Also, there will be affairs which the people of sound judgement will reject. [So], when this era comes, it is obligated on them – those under the rulership of a Muslim ruler – to listen and obey in that which is good, fulfil the rights that have been obligated on them to fulfil and seek their rights from Allaah – meaning: they supplicate to Allaah to aid them in fulfilling their needs and facilitate them with ease in their affairs. And Allaah knows best. [At-taleeqaatul Maleehah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah. Vol 1. Page 142. slightly paraphrased]

Believer’s Bahaviour Towards Muslim Rulers:

Believer’s Bahaviour Towards Muslim Rulers – [Supplicates For Them….]

Strength and Security is Achieved Behind The Ruler

Abu Hurairah [may Allaah be pleased with him] said, “The Prophet peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, ‘Verily, the leader is a shield behind whom they fight and he protects them. If he commands (people to) fear Allaah [The Exalted] and justice, then he will have a reward. If he commands something else, then it will be against him’”. [Ṣaḥeeh Muslim 1841]

Regarding the Prophet’s [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] statement, “The leader is a shield”, Imaam An-Nawawi [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, ‘Meaning, he is like a shelter because he prevents the enemy from harming the Muslims, prevent the people from (harming) one another (i.e. establish justice), protects the Muslim nation and the people fear his authority (i.e. because he will establish justice against the oppressor). And the meaning of the Prophet’s [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] statement, ‘Behind whom they fight’, meaning, alongside him they fight against the disbelievers (i.e. those at war with his country), the rebels, the khaarijites and all the perpetrators of corruption and oppression’”. [Sharh Saheeh Muslim Vol 12. page 193. Publisher: Daar Al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah. 1st Edition 1421 AH (2000)]

Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] stated, “Towards the end of the Messenger’s life, he admonished the people as occurs in the hadeeth of Irbaad Ibn Saariyah [may Allaah be pleased with him] who said, ‘The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] led us in prayer one day, then turned his face towards us and delivered a powerful admonition that made our hearts fearful and our eyes tearful. So, a man said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah! It is as if it were a farewell admonition, so what do you enjoin upon us?’ He said, ‘I advise you to fear Allaah and to listen and obey even if a slave is a leader over you. Verily, the one who lives among you after me will see a lot of differences, so adhere to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided khulafaa- adhere to it and bite onto that with your molar teeth (i.e. adhere to it firmly), and avoid the newly invented matters in the religion, because indeed every newly invented matter in the religion is an innovation in religion and every innovation in religion is misguidance'”.

In this command, the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] commanded us to fear Allaah. [At-Taqwah (Fear of Allaah)] is a comprehensive word that covers all good qualities. And the meaning of Taqwah is a ‘means of protection between yourself and what you fear will harm you’. It is what shields you from danger, such as (something used) as a means of protection between your foot and the excessive heat on the ground, or (something) placed as a means of protection between you and an injurious thing, or a shield placed as means of protection between you and a weapon, or )something) placed as a means of protection between you and the cold or the heat. This (i.e. above examples) are related to tangible things.

As for Taqwah (in the divine revelation it means) to protect yourself from the Anger of Allaah, His punishment and the fire of hell, by carrying out His commands and keeping away from His Prohibitions. You cannot be protected from the punishment of Allaah, His Anger and the Fire of Hell by fortresses, armies and garments; rather you can only be protected through Fear of Allaah [Glorified and Exalted be He] by carrying out Allaah’s commands and keeping away from His Prohibitions.

Leadership cannot be accomplished except by way of Sam’i Wat Taa’ah (i.e. to listen to the Ruler and being obedient to him) even if he is an Abyssinian slave and does not command a person to disobey Allaah. Therefore, the Leader of the Muslims is to be obeyed because there is an overriding benefit for the Muslims in doing so, in order to bring about unity. However, the exception is what the Messenger stated that ‘There is no obedience to the creation in disobedience to the Creator’. Therefore, the ruler is not obeyed in disobedience to Allaah, but he is obeyed in that which is in opposition to sin. However, this does not mean that we come out and rebel if he commands disobedience; rather we do not obey him in sin, but we obey him in those affairs that do not involve sin'”. (1) Also read here: is Tyranny of the ruler a reason for rebellion? https://www.abukhadeejah.com/the-tyranny-of-the-rulers-a-reason-for-rebellion/

Indeed, this is what Muslims of all walks of life have been commanded, that they fear Allaah, follow the Sunnah of the Messenger and the Sunnah of the rightly guided Khulafaa (AbuBakr, Umar, Umar and Ali (may Allaah be pleased with them)], obey the Muslim rulers in good and refrain from rebellion. This is what is obligated on everyone including the Armed Forces, the police and other people placed in charge of national security. No one is allowed to utilize his position, especially the military, to overthrow the government. Neither is it allowed to support Coupists nor threaten rulers – whether by written communication or word of mouth-that unless they do such and such or adhere to such and such agreement, they will be removed. The Muslims cannot allow this reckless, ridiculous and dangerous nonsense, rather it is only championed by some of the agents of some of the neo-colonialists and globalists, whose pursuit is nothing but to initiate disunity and chaos. Regardless the position of the one who threatens a Muslim ruler with coups – whether the kahwaarij, members of the armed forces or the external proponents of regime change, they are all blood thirsty morons. They desire the chaos and instability that has led to the murder of thousands of innocent Muslims and Non-Muslims. The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “The termination of the world means less to Allah than the killing of a Muslim (i.e. without right)”. (2) And the Prophet [peace and blessings off Allah be upon him] said, “Whoever kills a person who is granted the agreement of protection by the Muslims shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise though its fragrance can be smelled at a distance of forty years journey”. (3)

The spiteful neo-colonialists and globalists do their utmost not to allow chaos in their countries, yet they are ready to turn other countries- Muslim and Non-Muslim Nations – into battlefields when the rulers of those countries firmly block their neo-colonialist agendas. Therefore, the Armed Forces of the Muslim Nations are not an exception, rather they are commanded to obey the Muslim rulers, protect the nation and refrain from rebellion. Al-Allaamah Saalih Al-Fawzaan [may Allah protect him] said:

Regime Change! [The Main Goal Behind This Satanic Scheme of The Globalists]

We ask Allah to strengthen the Muslim rulers, unite their hearts with the hearts of the citizens and protect the Muslim lands from the spiteful globalists and neo-colonialists Ameen.

[Ref 1: https://salaficentre.com/2019/10/22/an-insight-admonition-regarding-the-path-tosafety-for-the-ummah-by-shaikh-saaleh-al-fawzaan-hafidhahullaah/ ]

[Ref 2: Hadeeth declared authentic by Imaam Al-Albaanee (may Allaah have mercy upon him) in Saheeh Al-Jaami 9208]

[Ref 3: Reported by Imaam Al-Bukhaari (may Allaah have mercy upon him). Number 6914]