[2] Patience Required Even If Rulership Has Negligence

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

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

Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“Indeed it has been stated that ninety-nine years with an oppressive ruler is better than a single night without a ruler”. [1]

Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, may Allah preserve him, was asked:

How do we reconcile the Hadith: “Whoever is killed while protecting his property, then he is a martyr”. [2] And the Hadith, “You should listen and obey the ruler even if he flogs your back and takes your wealth, then still hear and obey” [3]

Answer: “You should listen and obey the ruler even if he flogs your back and takes your wealth”, this is with the Muslim Ruler. (i.e. this is the manner the Muslim is expected to behave with the Muslim Ruler).

As for protecting one’s wealth (by way of resistance), this is (done) with other than the Muslim ruler. If an oppressor, a thief, a robber, or a highway robber wants to take your wealth, you defend (yourself) even if you are killed. If killed, you are a martyr. As for the Muslim Ruler, you do not resist. Even if your wealth is taken, you do not resist; rather exercise patience due to the greater evil (i.e. the greater evil that may come about from resisting). So, there is differentiation between the Muslim Ruler and someone among the people (i.e. oppression received from someone among the people).

Question: What do you say to the one who says: “Indeed, the hadith (i.e. the above hadith) nurtures the Muslim upon weakness”?

Answer: The Hadith nurtures the Muslim with obedience and strength because obedience to the Muslim Ruler is strength and not weakness. He leaves this (i.e. this resistance against the Muslim Ruler) for the sake of a universal good and (for the sake of) uniting the word of the Muslims. The people of vain desires want to do away with the authentic proofs so that they can safeguard their views. This is their intention. They bring doubts in the verses of the Qur’an and the ahaadith to safeguard their deviated views. [4]

Al-Allaamah Al-Izz Bin Abdis Salam, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“Had it not been for the appointment of a ruler, the beneficial universal affairs would have been lost, universal corruption would have become the reality, the strong would have overcome the weak and the (immoral) ones would have overcome the noble (mannered) ones”. Shaikh Abdus-Salaam Burgess [may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “The explanation of this is that the majority of the children of Adam are inclined towards injustice and love of vengeance, and had it not been that there was a ruler who administers their affairs, they would have become like the beasts of the wild and fish of the sea—the strong eat the weak”. [5]

[1] Al-Fataawaa: 14/268

[2] Al-Bukhaari. Number 2480

[3] Sahih Muslim 4554

[4]: Explanation of the hadith: ‘’We were in a state of ignorance p.46-47. Questions and Answers section

[5] Aqeedah Ahlil Islam Feemaa Yajibu Lil-Imam: page 11