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Rebellion against the Rulers–O Muslims! Ponder Upon This Statement of Imaam Ibnul Qayyim

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimahullaah) stated:

He [i.e. the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi-wasallam)] legislated for his Ummah the obligation of disapproving evil, in order that by disapproving it, the good beloved to Allaah and His Messenger is reached. And if disapproving evil will necessitate what is eviler and more hateful to Allaah and His Messenger, then it is not permitted to disapprove of it, even if Allaah hates it and loathes those who carry out (such evil). And this is similar to the disapproval towards the kings and those in charge of the affairs—by rebelling against them; for indeed it is the foundation of every evil and trial till the end of time.

And indeed the Sahaabah sought the permission of Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) to kill those rulers who delay the prayer from its prescribed time, and they said: ‘’Should we not kill them?’’”So he (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: “’’No; as long as they establish the prayer.’’”He (sallal-laahu-alayhi-sallam) said: “Whoever sees something from his ruler which he hates, then let him exercise patience and not remove the hand of obedience to the ruler.’’”

And whoever ponders upon the greatest and smallest trials that have taken its toll on Islaam, he/she will observe that (such trials occur) as a result of neglecting this principle and (due to) the absence of exercising patience in [the face of] evil.  So he (i.e. the person) seeks to stop it and what is of greater evil emanates from it.

And indeed, Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu-alayhi- wasallam) saw the gravest evils in Makkah and he was unable to stop them; rather when Allaah (enabled the Muslims to) conquer Makkah and it became an Islamic Land,  he (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) was determined to alter the Ka’bah and rebuild it based on the foundations it was built upon by Ibraaheem (alayhis-salaam).  However, he refrained from (it) even though he had the ability to do so, fearing that that which is greater (disadvantage) will ensue due to the Quraish not been able to bear it; because they were new  converts to Islaam and had abandoned disbelief not so long. And because of this (reason), he (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) did not permit disapproval towards the rulers by way of using one’s hand (i.e. through fighting) due to what may result from it—affairs of greater (evil) that may come about thereafter.

[Source: I’laam Muwaqqi-een 3/15-16]’

Pious, Predecessors, worship