Rebellion against the sinful ruler and whether it is a matter of independent legal reasoning

Question:
The questioner asks: What is your view of the one who makes the issue of rebelling against a sinful ruler a matter of independent legal reasoning?

Answer:
We seek refuge in Allah. This is a matter of ijtihad (independent legal reasoning). The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) explicitly stated this; he explicitly stated that the one in authority is to be obeyed, even if he is an open sinner, as long as you do not see clear disbelief, as long as authority, meaning a proof.
This is not permissible because of the harms that result from rebellion, such as the shedding of blood and the loss of security, and the great dangers. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded obedience to the one in authority, even if he is unjust and even if he oppresses, because this is less severe than the chaos and loss of security that occur when one rebels against the imam. Compare the state of the people with an imam, even if he is sinful or unjust, to their state without an imam, may Allah protect us from that; what would become of them? So this is ignorance on the part of the one who says it, or misguidance; he knows it is misguidance but wants to mislead people and call them to fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you.