[7] Exemplary Dealings of The Pious Predecessors With their Leaders

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

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

Sufyan Bin Uyaynah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: When Umar bin Abdil Aziz, may Allah have mercy upon him, was appointed the khaleefah, he reached out to Muhammad Bin Kab, Rajaa Bin Haywah, and Salim Bin Abdillah, may Allah have mercy upon them, saying: “You witness the trial I face and it has fallen upon me, therefore, what do you advise?” Muhammad Bin Kab said, “Regard the elderly as your own father, treat the youth as your brother, and care for the young ones as your own children; therefore, be good to your father, maintain strong bonds with your brother, and be compassionate towards your child”. Rajaa said, “Wish for the people what you wish for yourself, detest for them what you detest for yourself, and interact with them in a manner that you would appreciate in return.” Salim said, “Focus on one matter by diminishing the desires of worldly life and let your natural inclination lead you to contemplate death.” Umar proclaimed, “Laa Hawla Walaa Quwwata Illaa Billaah”. [1]

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allah have mercy upon him] was asked: “The worst scholars are those who approach (visit) the rulers”. What is the level of authenticity of this hadith?

Response: I do not know about its authenticity, and if it were authentic, then it would imply an evil visit. If it is authentic, then it signifies a visit driven by vain desires, material wealth, and alignment with falsehood. (But), if the scholars neglect the rulers, they will become corrupt. If the scholars neglect the rulers and isolate them, the state of affairs will become corrupted, and the rights of the people will be violated. Therefore, goodness and Maslahah (i.e. what will bring about welfare and repel harm) is that the scholars visit and guide the rulers, and the rulers seek Tawjeeh (guidance) from them, Irshaad (the upright path to follow in all affairs), advise them regarding the avoidance of injustice, support the oppressed, and prevention of injustice against them, just as the scholars -from the time of the companions to the present day ours- visit them. As for the scholars abandoning and boycotting the rulers, and not visiting them, this is wrong – a blunder, and only those who do not know public welfare would suggest such a course of action. [paraphrased] [2]

[1] An Excerpt from Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah. Vol 9. Pages 193-202. Publisher: Maktabah Al-Ma’aarif and Daar ibn Hazm. 9th Edition. 1414 AH (1994)

[2]

ما صحة حديث: شرار العلماء الذين يأتون إلى الأمراء؟
الجواب:
ما أعرف له صحة، ولو صح فالمقصود زيارتهم الخبيثة، لو صح، فالمراد بالزيارة التي للشهوة، والمال، والموافقة على الباطل.
وإذا أهمل العلماء الأمراء؛ فسدوا، إذا أهمل العلماء الأمراء، وانزووا عنهم؛ فسد الأمر، وضاعت الحقوق، فالمصلحة، والخير في أن يزورهم العلماء، ويرشدوهم، ويطلبوا منهم التوجيه، والإرشاد، والنصيحة عن الظلم، ونصر المظلومين، وإزالة الظلم عنهم، كما زارهم العلماء سابقًا من عهد الصحابة إلى يومنا هذا.
أما كون العلماء يتركونهم، ويهجرونهم، ولا يزورونهم؛ فهذا خطأ، هذا غلط، لا يقوله إلا الجهلة الذين لا يعرفون المصالح العامة

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