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How Should The Ummah

Deal With The Oppressive
Muslim Rulers Of Today

By Abdul Kareem Ibn

Ozzie
A common question in the ummah today is; how should the
ummah deal with the oppressive Muslim rulers of today?
This article is aimed at answering that question inshallah.

1. The ummah should make duaa for the oppressive rulers and ask
Allah to make them become just and righteous rulers because when
the ruler becomes righteous, the ummah becomes safe from their evil,
oppression and tyranny. This duaa for the oppressive Muslim leaders
should be made as opposed to making duaa for the oppressive ruler’s
destruction and removal.
Imam Al-Barbahari states, “If you see a man supplicating against the
ruler, know that he is a person of desire (meaning a person from Ahlu
Bidah), and if you see a man supplicating for the ruler, know that he
is a Sunni (meaning from Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah) inshallah.”
(Sharh Al-Sunnah p113, 114)
Fudayl Ibn Iyaad (d.187H) said, “If I had a supplication that would be
answered, I would not make it, except for the ruler. Because when the
ruler becomes righteous, the towns and the servants become safe and
secure.” Refer to Hilyatul-Awliyaa (8/91-92).
Imaam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal (d.241H) said, “Verily I supplicate for the
ruler, for his correctness, success and support – night and day – and I
see this as being obligatory upon me.’’ Refer to as-Sunnah (no. 14) of
Aboo Bakr al-Khallaal. The ruler in the time of Imam Ahmed torched
him and imprisoned him because he believed the Quran was the
speech of Allah (correct opinion) and told the Muslims that. However
the ruler wanted him to believe the Quran was created and tell, the
Muslims that. So the leader in the time of Imam Ahmed was a tyrant
who even oppressed him but he still would make duaa for him and
not against him.

Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan said in Al-Ijaabaat al-Muhimmah fee

Mashaakil il-Mudlahimmah, by Muhammad bin Fahad al-Husayn,
“Sincerity to the rulers consists of the following: Supplicating for their
righteousness and firmness, since it is from the Sunnah to supplicate
for the Muslim rulers, especially during times in which the
supplication is answered and the places in which it is hoped the
supplication is answered.”

2. The ummah should ask those who have the ability to advice the
leader to advice him about how he is mistreating the people. Those
from among the governments of the Muslim lands, scholars and other
influential Muslims should advice the ruler. Both groups of people
should do this instead of back biting (i.e. speaking the truth about the
rulers personal affairs which have nothing to do with his leadership)
and slandering (i.e. telling lies about the ruler, adding lies to the truth
when speaking about the ruler and twisting the truth about the
leader) the ruler publicly or privately.
It is authentically reported from the Messenger of Allah Muhammad
in the a longer hadeeth of Iyaad Ibn Ghunum who said, "The
Messenger of Allah Muhammad said, "Whoever desires to
advise the one with authority then he should not do so
openly, rather he should take him by the hand and take
him into seclusion (and then advise him). And if he
accepts (the advice) from him then (he has achieved his
objective) and if not, then he has fulfilled that which was a
duty upon him." Reported by Ahmad (3/403) and Ibn Abee
'Aasim in Kitaabus-Sunnah (2/251): ‘‘Chapter: How are the
leaders of the common-folk to be advised?’’ (2/521) with a
Saheeh isnad and it was authenticated by Shaykh al-
Albaanee in Dhilaalul-Jannah fee Takhreejis-Sunnah (no.
1096).
In Aqeedah at-Tahawiyah of Imam Tahawi it says “When changing
the evil of the rulers, then this should be done by the scholars and not
openly as is mentioned by a clear Ahaadeeth of the Prophet “When
you wish to correct the sultan then take him by the hand in secret and
advise him.””
Imam Maalik Ibn Anas (d.179H) said, “The right of every Muslim
whom Allah has blessed with something of knowledge and
understanding (fiqh), is that he enters upon the ruler to command
him with goodness, and to prohibit him from evil, and to admonish
him.” Refer to Tarteebul-Madaarik (1/207-208) of al-Qaadee ’Iyaad.

Ibn Abee Haatim relates in al-Jarh wat-Ta’deel (1/30) from Imam

Maalik, that it was said to him: ‘Verily you enter upon the ruler whilst
they (the people) are being oppressed (by the ruler)!’ So Maalik said:
“May Allah have mercy upon you! So where is the person who will
speak with the truth?! Indeed the Messenger of Allah said:
“The most excellent Jihad is a truthful word spoken to (not
behind the rulers back in the streets) an oppressive ruler.”
The hadeeth was related by Ibn Maajah (no. 4012), and
Ahmad (5/251); and it was authenticated by Shaykh al-
Albaanee in Saheehul-Jaami’ (no. 1100).

Sa’eed Ibn Jumhaan said: ‘I came to Abdullaah Ibn Abee Awfaa and
his eyes were covered, so I greeted him. He said to me: Who are you?
So I said: I am Sa’eed Ibn Jumhaan. He (Abdullaah Ibn Abee Awfaa)
said, So what was done with your father? I (Sa’eed Ibn Jumhaan)
said to him. The Azaariqah (a branch of the Khawarij, followers of
Naafi’ Ibnul-Azraq al-Khaarijee) killed him. May Allaah curse the
Azaariqah! May Allaah curse the Azaariqah! He (Abdullaah Ibn Abee
Awfaa) said, The Messenger of Allah has informed us that they are the
‘dogs of the Hellfire.’ So I (Sa’eed Ibn Jumhaan) said: The Azaariqah
alone, or all of the Khawaarij? He (Abdullaah Ibn Abee Awfaa) said:
Yes, all of the Khawaarij. So I (Sa’eed Ibn Jumhaan) said: Verily the
ruler is oppressing the people and affecting them. He said (Abdullaah
Ibn Abee Awfaa): So give him your hand, and connect your hand to
his firmly. Then he (Abdullaah Ibn Abee Awfaa) said …If the ruler
will listen to you, then go to his house and inform him of what you
know. So he may accept from you, but if not, then leave him; since
you do not know more than him (about his subjects).’’’ This incident
was reported by Ahmad (4/3272-372), it was authenticated by Shaykh
al-Albaanee in Dhilaalul-Jannah (no. 508).

Al-Haafidh Ibn Hajar (d.852H) clarifies what advice to the Muslim

leads is, he said in Fathul-Baaree (1/138): “The advice to the leaders
of the Muslims is to aid them upon that by which they will become
established. And it is to warn them against negligence, and to correct
their deficiency when they slip, and to unite the word upon them, and
to reject the hearts that have enmity towards them. And the greatest
advice is to prevent them – by using that which is good – from
oppression.”
Shaykh Abdul Azeez Ibn Baaz explains the reason why it is haram to
openly criticize or advice the leader from a historical perspective as it
lead to the first major fitnah between the Muslims after the death of
the prophet and it can often lead to hatred, fighting and killing
between Muslims. The shaykh said, “And when the fitnah occurred in
the time of Uthmaan (the third caliph), some of the people said to
Usaamah ibn Zaid (a sahaba), "Will you not speak to Uthmaan?" So
he replied, "You think that I will not talk to him without letting you
know about it (also) (meaning he will advice Uthmaan but he will not
tell the people about his going to advice him or about their
conversation). Indeed, I will certainly talk to him regarding that
which concerns me and him without initiating a matter which I do
not love to be the first to initiate (he did not want to be the first to
openly speak about the ruler)."
And when they (the Khawarij) opened up the evil in the time of
Uthmaan and rejected Uthmaan openly, the fitnah, the killing and the
mischief, which has not ceased to affect the people to this day, was
brought about. And this caused the fitnah to occur between Alee and
Muaawiyyah, and Uthmaan was killed for these reasons (the Khawarij
openly spoke about why they rejected Uthmaan and they openly
criticized him claiming this was advice to him. This got the Muslims
of that time all stirred up until eventual someone killed Uthmaan).
(Furthermore) a large number of companions and others besides
them were killed due to this open rebellion and the open
proclamation of the faults (of the ruler), until the people began to
hate the one charged with authority over them and killed him. We ask
Allah for success.” (These were the words of the Shaykh Abdul Azeez
Ibn Baaz. Taken from Al-Ma'loom min Waajib il-'Ilaaqah bain al
Haakim wal-Mahkoom, (pp. 22-23).)
3. The ummah must have patients with the oppressive ruler’s sins,
evil and oppression and advice each other to have patients with their
tyrannical reign. The ummah must do this instead and stop putting a
time limit on its patients towards the ruler’s oppressions (due to its
lack of patients) which leads to demonstrating, revolting and eventual
bloodshed, violence and fighting between Muslims.

Al-Barbahaaree (d. 329H) said, "It is not permissible to fight the ruler
or rebel against him even if he oppresses. This is due to the saying of
the Messenger of Allah to Abu Dharr al Ghifaaree, "Have patience,
even if he (ruler) is an Abyssinian slave." Reported by,
Muslim. The prophet said ‘Abyssinian slave’ not to be raciest or
because he was raciest. He only said this because in his time the
hardest thing for the Arabs to handle would have been being ruled by
a non-Arab or a slave. Having a ruler that was both (a slave and a
non-Arab) it would be very hard for the Arabs to not revolt and rebel
against this type of ruler whether he was good or bad so this is why
the prophet told the sahaba to have patience with this situation or any
similar situation where in they dislike the ruler whether it be because
he is a tyrant, a non-Arab or a slave.

The prophet also said to the Ansaar (the Muslims who lived in
Medina by the other Muslim came from Mecca and the surrounding
areas.) when talking about having patient with rulers, "Have
patience until you meet me at the pool (this is the pool that
Allah will give to the prophet for the Muslims to drink
from on the day of resurrection)." Reported by Bukhari
Umar Ibn Yazeed said: I heard al-Hasan al-Basree (who was from the
greatest of the salaf (early generations of Muslims) during the days of
Yazeed Ibnul-Mahlab, and there came to him a group of people
(asking about revolting and fighting against the sinful ruler of that
time). So he commanded them to stay in their houses and to close
their doors. Then he said: ‘‘By Allah! If the people had patience when
they were being tested by their unjust ruler, it will not be long before
Allah will make a way out for them. However, they always rush for
their swords, so they are left to their swords. By Allah! Not even for a
single say did they bring about any good.’’ It is related by Ibn Sa’d in
at-Tabaqaat (8/164), and by Ibn Abee Haatim in his Tafseer (3/178).

It is also related by Ibn Sa'ad in Tabaqaatul Kubraa (7/163-165) A

group of Muslims came to al Hasan al Basree (d. 110H) seeking a
verdict to rebel against al Hajjaaj (a tyrannical ruler who even killed a
few sahaba in the era of Hasan al-Basree). So they said, "O Abu Sa'eed
(meaning Hasan al-Basree it was his kunyah) What do you say about
fighting this oppressor who has unlawfully spilt blood and unlawfully
taken wealth and did this and that?" So al Hasan said, "I hold that he
should not be fought. If this is the punishment from Allah, then you
will not be able to remove it with your swords. If this is a trial from
Allah, then be patient until Allah's Judgement comes, and He is the
best of Judges."

4. The ummah must obey the oppressive ruler when he commands

them in things that involve obedience to Allah.

The Prophet said: ‘‘The person must obey in whatever he

loves, and in whatever he hates, in ease and in hardship, in
willingness and un-willingness; except if he is commanded
to disobey Allah. So if he is commanded to disobey Allah,
then he should not listen, not should he obey.’’ Related by
al-Bukhari (4/203)
Hudhaifah reports that the Messenger of Allah said "There will
come leaders who will not follow my guidance and will not
follow my Sunnah. There will be amongst them men who
will have the hearts of devil and bodies of humans." He
(Hudhaifah asked) "What shall I do, o Messenger of Allah
if I reach that?" He replied, "You should hear and obey the
ruler even if he flogs your backs and takes your wealth,
then still hear and obey." Reported by Muslim (Eng. trans
Vol 3/1029/34554)

This hadeeth is the same as the one above however it as slight

different wording, the prophet said “If Allah has on earth a
caliph (leader of all the Muslim countries) who flays your
back and takes your property, obey him, otherwise die
holding onto the stump of a tree.” (Translation of Sunan
Abu-Dawud, Book 35, Trials and Fierce Battles (Kitab Al-
Fitan Wa Al-Malahim), Number 4232)

But if the oppressive ruler commands disobedience (to Allah), then he

is not to be obeyed in this command, meaning: in the command of
disobedience. However, he is still to be obeyed in other than that,
from that which does not involve sin.

Ibn Umar reported that the Prophet said, "A Muslim man
must hear and obey both in respect of what he likes and
dislikes, unless he is commanded to do a wrong action. If
he is commanded to do a wrong action, he should not hear
or obey". Recorded by Bukhari and Muslim

The Prophet said, ‘‘The person must obey in whatever he

loves, and in whatever he hates, in ease and in hardship, in
willingness and un-willingness; except if he is commanded
to disobey Allah. So if he is commanded to disobey Allah,
then he should not listen, not should he obey.’’ Recorded
by Bukhari
After reading what has been written in this article I you dear reader
for the sake of Allah then for the sake of the ummah that you must
take the stances out lined in this article in regards to the corrupt evil
Muslim rulers of today and may be of the future inshallah. Even
though it may be hard, against your natural desires for revenge and
justice and most of the people may rejected this stance of yours
towards these tyrants. So they may laugh at you, mock you and call
you evil names but this must not stop you from following the Sunnah,
the sahaba and the way of the salaf in this matter as in following these
things lies true guidance and is the key to success in this life and the
next.

I ask Allah to give this ummah righteous rulers, make the ones we
have become righteous and to give the rulers pious subjects in the
future and to give those subjects who under the Muslim rulers of
today and those who leave under the disbelieving rulers of the kufr
lands the ability to become pious as soon as possible. Ameen.
End.

Sa’eed Ibn Jumhaan said: ‘I came to Abdullaah Ibn Abee Awfaa and his eyes were covered, so I greeted
him. He said to me: Who are you? So I said: I am Sa’eed Ibn Jumhaan. He (Abdullaah Ibn Abee Awfaa)
said, So what was done with your father? I (Sa’eed Ibn Jumhaan) said to him. The Azaariqah (a branch
of the Khawarij, followers of Naafi’ Ibnul-Azraq al-Khaarijee) killed him. May Allaah curse the
Azaariqah! May Allaah curse the Azaariqah! The Messenger of Allah has informed us that they are the
‘dogs of the Hellfire.’ He (Abdullaah Ibn Abee Awfaa) said: So I (Sa’eed Ibn Jumhaan) said: The
Azaariqah alone, or all of the Khawaarij? He (Abdullaah Ibn Abee Awfaa) said: Yes, all of the Khawaarij.
So I (Sa’eed Ibn Jumhaan) said: Verily the ruler is oppressing the people and affecting them. He said
(Abdullaah Ibn Abee Awfaa), So give him your hand, and connect your hand to his firmly. Then he
(Abdullaah Ibn Abee Awfaa) said, “Woe to you O Ibn Jumhaan! Stick to the Suwaadul-A’dtham, stick to
the Suwaadul-A’dtham! If the ruler will listen to you, then go to his house and inform him of what you
know. So he may accept from you, but if not, then leave him; since you do not know more than him.’’’
This incident was reported by Ahmad (4/3272-372), it was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee in
Dhilaalul-Jannah (no. 508). ’Abdullaah Ibn Ahmad (d.290H) – rahimahullaah – with an authentic
chain of narrators going back to Sa’eed Ibn Jumhaan who said: “The Khawaarij used to call upon me,
until I was about to enter along with them. So I saw the sister of Aboo Bilaal in a dream, where Aboo
Bilaal was a black hairy dog, and his eyes were filled with tears. He said: So she said: You are with my
father O Abaa Bilaal! What is it from your affairs that I see you like this? He said: ‘‘After you, we were
made into dogs of the Fire.’’ And Aboo Bilaal was from amongst the leaders of the Khawaarij.’’ Refer to
as-Sunnah (no. 1509).

Sa’eed Ibn Jumhaan said to Abdullaah Ibn Abee Awfaa in a authenticated narration by Shaykh al-
Albaanee in Dhilaalul-Jannah (no. 508). “The Azaariqah (a branch of the Khawarij, followers of Naafi’
Ibnul-Azraq al-Khaarijee) killed him (Sa’eeds dad). May Allah curse the Azaariqah! May Allah curse the
Azaariqah!” He (Abdullaah Ibn Abee Awfaa) said, The Messenger of Allah has informed us that they are
the ‘dogs of the Hellfire.’ So I (Sa’eed Ibn Jumhaan) said: The Azaariqah alone, or all of the Khawaarij?
He (Abdullaah Ibn Abee Awfaa) said: Yes, all of the Khawaarij. This was part of a longer incident which
was reported by Ahmad (4/3272-372), it was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee in Dhilaalul-Jannah
(no. 508).
Abdullaah Ibn Ahmad (d.290H) – rahimahullaah – with an authentic chain of narrators going back to
Sa’eed Ibn Jumhaan who said: “The Khawaarij used to call upon me, until I was about to enter along
with them. So I saw the sister of Aboo Bilaal in a dream, where Aboo Bilaal was a black hairy dog, and
his eyes were filled with tears. He said: So she said: You are with my father O Abaa Bilaal! What is it
from your affairs that I see you like this? He said: ‘‘After you, we were made into dogs of the Fire.’’ And
Aboo Bilaal was from amongst the leaders of the Khawaarij.’’ Refer to as-Sunnah (no. 1509).