Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله) said:[1]
Indeed, the affair [of rule] being destined for the kings and their deputies from the rulers, judges and leaders [who are not upright] is not due to the deficiency in them alone, but due to the deficiency in both the shepherd and the flock together, for "As you yourselves behave, you will be ruled over (in a like manner)" and Allāh, the Exalted has said:
Thus do we turn some of the oppressors against others on account of (the deeds) they earn.[2]
And it is widely transmitted [from the Prophetic Sunnah] and has been established in other than this place what he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) commanded of obedience to the rulers in whatever does not entail disobedience to Allāh, to advise them, to have patience with them in their judgement and division (in allotting wealth), to embark upon battle alongside them, to pray behind them and what is like that of following them in the good deeds which are not established except through them. For this is from the field of cooperation upon piety and righteousness.
And what he prohibited of [believing and] affirming their lies, aiding them in their oppression, obeying them in disobedience to Allāh and whatever is like that, [these prohibited things] are from the field of cooperation upon sin and enmity.
And what he commanded of enjoining the good and prohibiting the evil with respect to them (the rulers) and other than them, in the legislated manner, and what enters into that of conveying the messages of Allāh to them in that he does not abandon this out of cowardice or miserliness, nor fear of them and nor selling the verses of Allāh for a small price. Nor does he do this in order to gain authority over them, or over the general folk, and nor due to envy, arrogance or out of showing off in front of them or the common-folk.
Evil is not rejected with what leads to greater evil such that he makes revolt with arms and tribulations settle—[whose prohibition] is well-known from the foundational principles of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jamāʿah and indicated by the Prophetic texts—due to the corruption this contains which grows over and beyond the corruption that was present due to the (initial) oppression [of the ruler].
Rather, Allāh is obeyed with respect to them and other than them and whatever He commanded is performed and whatever He prohibited is abandoned.
In this concise, foundational speech Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله) has explained the nature of the interaction and dealing that subjects have towards the Muslim rulers in authority over them.
First, he (رحمه الله) explained that Allāh places rulers over the people who are in accordance with the conduct and deeds of the servants themselves. Thus, if the people sin and oppress, then that will appear in the rulers appointed over them.
Keeping this in mind, the people are ordered to:
- Obey them in whatever does not entail disobedience to Allāh, and to have patience upon their injustice and tyranny.
- To not obey or aid them in their lies, disobedience and oppression.
- To enjoin the good and prohibit the evil in the legislated manner, doing so sincerely for the sake of Allāh and no other reason.
- To not try to put an end to their evil with what leads to even greater evil.
In all of this, it is Allāh who is obeyed with respect to the rulers, such that what He commanded is performed and what He prohibited is abandoned.
Arabic Text:
Footnotes
1. Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā (35/20-21).2. Al-Anʿām (6:129).