The Ruling on a Ruler Who Commits an Act of Apostasy

The questioner:
He says: When is a ruler declared a disbeliever, and when is he to be arrested?

The Shaykh:
If he commits an act of apostasy. If he commits a nullifying act. Through the windows.

The questioner:
Such as shirk (associating partners with Allah), if he calls upon other than Allah, if he slaughters for other than Allah, if he rules by other than what Allah has revealed, believing that it is better than the ruling of Allah, or that it is equal to the ruling of Allah, or that he has the choice between ruling by the law or not, or by the Shari'ah. Then he has become a disbeliever. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, when they asked him about those who will come in the end times and do evil in their deeds and actions and oppress the people, they said: Should we not fight them, O Messenger of Allah? He said: No.

The Shaykh:
. It is not permissible here, because going out against them is more severe than the error and defect in which they are involved. It causes greater harm than enduring their harm. Enduring their harm is certainly a harm, but what follows from going out against them is more severe: breaking the bond of obedience, dividing the word of the Muslims, and the disbelievers gaining power over the Muslims. This is more severe than enduring the oppression of an oppressive or open sinner ruler who has not reached the level of disbelief.