What is our position regarding those who cast doubt on the decisions of the rulers or subject them to criticism and rumors?

The questioner:
Your Eminence the Shaykh, this questioner says: The ruler issues decisions and directives that serve the public interest, ward off harm, and preserve security, safety, unity, and the strength of this country and its people, based on the established principles upon which it was founded. Then we see some people casting doubt on such decisions or subjecting them to criticism and rumors. What is our position toward these people? And how do we guide people to unite around their ruler, especially in times of trials, disturbances, and the issuance of rulings from their verified scholars?

The Shaykh:
Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated, saying: . Lest it overtake me.
This was the intent. He says that he asked the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him): They were in error and in disbelief, so Allah brought good, meaning through the hand of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). Is there evil after this good? He said: Yes. He said: Yes, after it there is evil. People will follow other than my Sunnah and be guided by other than my guidance. He repeated the question to him until he said: If this matter and this evil appear, what do you command me to do? He said: Hold fast to the community of the Muslims and their imam. Hold fast to the community of the Muslims and their imam. So the Muslim withdraws from falsehood, whatever it is, and withdraws from its people. And he is patient, even if he is alone, he is patient. And if he is alone or with a few, they are patient upon the truth and remain steadfast upon it, and relief will come by the permission of Allah.
Yes, relief will come by the permission of Allah. Trials and earthquakes have befallen those before us, and they were shaken until the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: When distress becomes severe, relief is near. Know that victory is with patience, that relief is with distress, and that with hardship there is ease. So we do not despair of the mercy of Allah or the victory of Allah, no matter what befalls us, and no matter how much they foam and froth. They have capabilities and they have… it is falsehood, and falsehood vanishes, while the truth remains and settles. So we do not lose hope in the truth because of the fewness of its followers, nor are we deceived by falsehood because of the multitude of its followers, for it is vain, vain scattered falsehood that vanishes. As for the truth, it remains and endures. And Allah is with the patient, with the righteous, and with those who do good. Yes.

The questioner:
But what is our position regarding the decisions and directives taken by the ruler that serve the country and the people?

The Shaykh:
Our position is to hold fast to them and to obey the ruler of the Muslims and to follow him. As long as the decisions are beneficial and useful, they are in our interest and in the interest of our religion. Yes.