The Ruling on Obedience to the Rulers in What Is Right, Even If They Are Sinners
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If they order a disobedience to Allah—for example—As if they said to the people: “Do not pray in congregation,Or if they said to the people: “Drink intoxicants, do such and such of the forbidden things, or leave off something of the obligatory things,” then these are not to be obeyed, and there is no listening or obedience to them.If they order us to commit a sin, we say: No.
But if they commit a sin, do they have authority over us?
Yes.
They have authority over us even if they commit a sin. If they are disobedient, they still have authority over us and obedience is due to them; because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered obedience to the rulers even if we see from them what we dislike, and ordered obedience to the rulers even if they beat the backs and take the wealth. And their disobedience to Allah is upon them.But if they order us directly and say: “Do this sin or leave this obligation,” we say, “No listening and no obedience.” And what is narrated that 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) ordered a matter,So Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “No listening and no obedience; because you have a new garment or two garments.” I do not think this is correct; because 'Umar had such awe that it is not possible for Bilal to speak like this in front of the people. Then, Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) had such respect for 'Umar that it is not possible for him to speak like this in front of the people. Then, even if we assume its correctness is as clear as the sun, perhaps Bilal said that because some people criticized 'Umar for this action, so Bilal wanted 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) to clarify the reason that made him wear a new garment or two garments, so that the doubt that occurred in the hearts of some people would be removed.
But if they commit a sin, do they have authority over us?
Yes.
They have authority over us even if they commit a sin. If they are disobedient, they still have authority over us and obedience is due to them; because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered obedience to the rulers even if we see from them what we dislike, and ordered obedience to the rulers even if they beat the backs and take the wealth. And their disobedience to Allah is upon them.But if they order us directly and say: “Do this sin or leave this obligation,” we say, “No listening and no obedience.” And what is narrated that 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) ordered a matter,So Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “No listening and no obedience; because you have a new garment or two garments.” I do not think this is correct; because 'Umar had such awe that it is not possible for Bilal to speak like this in front of the people. Then, Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) had such respect for 'Umar that it is not possible for him to speak like this in front of the people. Then, even if we assume its correctness is as clear as the sun, perhaps Bilal said that because some people criticized 'Umar for this action, so Bilal wanted 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) to clarify the reason that made him wear a new garment or two garments, so that the doubt that occurred in the hearts of some people would be removed.