Discussion of the Rulers and Their Absence

Question:
May Allah reward you. Some of the young men, may Allah guide them, greet those who are present and describe them with ugly descriptions. If you return to them, this is not permissible, and it is not like the salam. So, what is its ruling, Honorable Shaykh?

Answer:
It is not permissible to backbite the rulers of the Muslims, nor to speak about them. Rather, it is obligatory to make du'a for them; it is obligatory to make du'a for them, and to obey them in what is right. It is not permissible to speak about them, because this causes fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) and causes evil. Also, this creates enmity between the shepherd and the flock. This is considered among the characteristics of the hypocrites and the talebearers who say such words. So, he should repent to Allah, the Exalted and Sublime. If he has jealousy or sees some deficiency, he should advise the rulers; he should advise them. But that he speaks about them and considers this to be part of the religion—this is not from the religion, this is not from the religion. Speaking about the rulers is backbiting; it is backbiting, and indeed it is among the most severe forms of backbiting because it leads to harms. This matter is not permissible. Then we ask this poor man: Can he be well off without rulers? I mean, if these rulers were to go, what would he do? The rulers by whom Allah has secured the lands, preserved security, established the hudud (the fixed Qur'anic punishments), repelled oppression, and repelled the disbelievers—if they were to go, God forbid, what would be his state? This poor man, meaning, he wishes for the blessings.