The following are some of the Aqwaal from the Salaf related to dealing with Tyrant Muslim Rulers:
Narrated `Abdullâh رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ : Allâh’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said to us,
“You will see after me, selfishness (on the part of other people) and other matters that you will disapprove of.” They asked, “What do you order us to do, O Allâh’s Messenger (under such circumstances)?” He said, “Pay their rights to them (to the rulers) and ask your rights from Allâh.” (Bukhari)
The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever desires to advise the Sultaan (the one in authority) about a matter, then he must not expose it in public, but rather he should take him by his hand and go in privacy with him. So if he accepts (the advice), then that is (reward) for him, and if he doesn’t (accept), then he has conveyed what will be held against him.
➖[Ahmad, no. 3/404; Ibn Abee Aasim in As-Sunnah, no. 2/522; authenticated by Al-Albaanee]
“Sufyaan (ath-Thawree) narrated to us from Qais ibn Wahb from Anas ibn Maalik (رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ) that he said,
“The most senior of the Companions of the Messenger of Allaah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to forbid
us from abusing and reviling the Rulers (Umaraa).”
(Ibn ‘Abdul-Barr reported it in At-Tamheed, 21/287)
Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) said
“…the Sharee’ah is built upon the welfare and benefits of the servants, “…The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) legislated for his ummah, the obligation of rejecting the evil so that by its rejection, the goodness that Allaah and His Messenger love is obtained. And when rejecting the evil leads to what is more evil and more hated by Allah and His Messenger then it is not allowed to reject it— even if Allaah hates it and detests those who perform it (the evil). And this is like rejection (inkaar) against the kings, and the ones in authority by coming out against them (with arms etc., to fight them), for verily, that is the basis and foundation of every evil and every tribulation till the end of time. And the Companions asked permission from the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu alaihi wasallam) for killing the leaders (Umaraa’) who delay the prayer from its proper time, saying, ‘Shall we not kill them.’ So he said, “No, so long as they establish the prayer,” and he also said, “Whoever sees something from his leader (ameer) something that he dislikes then let him be patient and let him not raise his hand (away) from the leader’s obedience.” And whoever reflects upon the greatest and smallest trials that have befallen Islaam, then he will see that they are due to the negligence and wastage of this principle and the lack of patience upon (witnessing) evil. So he seeks to bring about its end and as a result of this, a greater evil is brought about.
(Ibn al-Qayyim in ‘I’laamul-Muwaqqi‘een ‘an Rabbil-’Aabaineen.)
➖Al-Fudayl ibn ‘Iyaad رحمه الله (d. 187 AH) said:
“If I had a supplication that was to be answered, I would not make it except for the ruler.”
It was said to him: “Oh Abu ‘Ali, explain that to us.”
He said: “Because, if I make it for myself, then it would not go beyond me. Whereas, if I make it for the ruler, he is corrected and – through that – the slaves and the land are set in order.”
➖[Related by Aboo Nu’aym in al-Hilyah (8/91) with a saheeh isnaad (authentic chain), and al-Khallaal in as-Sunnah (no. 9)]
➖Imaam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal رحمه الله (d. 241 AH) 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.’’
[as-Sunnah (no. 14) of Aboo Bakr al-Khallaal]
This is why Imam al-Barbaharee رحمه الله (d. 329 AH) said:
“If you see a man supplicating against the ruler, then know that indeed he is a person of desire (bid’ah). And if you see a man supplicating for the ruler to be upright, then know indeed that he is a person of the Sunnah, if Allaah wills.”
➖ [Point 137 of Sharh-us-Sunnah of Imam al-Barabaharee]
