If you see a man supplicating for or against the ruler

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Imam Al-Barbahaaree, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“And if you see a man supplicating against the ruler, then know that he is a person of desires (deviant inclinations). And if you see a man supplicating for the ruler’s righteousness, then know that he is a person of the Sunnah, if Allah wills.” (1)

Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“I hold that the leader of the believers is to be obeyed (in good) in private and public, in my times of hardship and ease, in my times of enthusiasm and when I dislike doing something (i.e. something that’s not unlawful, but one does not like to do it, however he must do it in obedience to the ruler), and when others are given precedence over me. Indeed, I supplicate to Allah – night and day – for him to be successful and guided”. [2]

Abdus Samad Bin Yazid Al-Baghdadi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: I heard Al-Fudayl Bin Iyaad, may Allah have mercy upon him, saying, “If I had a supplication that would be accepted, I would not make it except for the leader”. It was said to him, “O father of Ali! Why is that?” He said, “When I make it for myself, it would be only for me, but if I make it for the leader, the rectification (or righteousness) of the leader would consequently result in the rectification of the people and the country”. It was said to him, “O father of Ali! How is that? Explain this to us”. He said, “As for the wellbeing of the land, if the people are safe from the ruler’s tyranny, they will develop abandoned areas and settle in the land. And with regards to the rectification of the people, one observes the affair of a people among the ignoramuses and says, ‘They have been distracted by the pursuit of livelihood rather than seeking what will benefit them with regards to learning the Qur’an and other things’. So, he gathers them together in a house – fifty in number, less or more, and says to a man, ‘You have what will make your affair upright and teach these people their religion’. Then you’ll see what Allah, The Mighty and Majestic, brings forth from among them that would make the land righteous (and prosperous, thrive, flourish, etc) and that would return to them (i.e. they’ll receive its benefits). This would be the rectification of the people and the country”. Imam Ibn Al-Mubarak, may Allah have mercy upon him, kissed Imam Fudayl’s forehead and said, “O teacher of goodness! Who else (i.e. among us) would be able to (say or do) this better than you?!” [3]

[1] Sharh As-Sunnah 127

[2] Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah 14/413

[3] Hilyah Al-Awliya 8/91