Warning Against Backbiting Those in Authority
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Backbiting those in authority has become widespread in these times. What is the ruling on backbiting a ruler who does not judge by what Allah has revealed?
Backbiting those in authority is forbidden from two aspects: The first aspect: It is the backbiting of a Muslim.And Allah the Exalted said: [Al-Hujurat: 12] .
The second aspect: Backbiting those in authority leads to evils and corruption that do not result from backbiting an ordinary person. This is because if an ordinary person is backbitten, his fault remains with himself. However, if one in authority is backbitten, it leads to people’s dislike of him, their rebellion against him, and their refusal to accept his guidance and orders. This is a great harm that causes chaos, and the situation may even reach the point of fighting among people.
As for the one who does not judge by what Allah has revealed,It is said: One should disapprove of ruling by other than what Allah has revealed, but not publicly; because there is no benefit in disapproving of it publicly. Rather, one should disapprove of it to the ruler himself and write to him about it. If a person is able to reach the ruler in person, that is what is required. Otherwise, he should write a letter of advice and give it to someone who can deliver it to the ruler.
Backbiting those in authority is forbidden from two aspects: The first aspect: It is the backbiting of a Muslim.And Allah the Exalted said:
or backbite each other
وَلا يَغْتَبْ بَعْضُكُمْ بَعْضاًThe second aspect: Backbiting those in authority leads to evils and corruption that do not result from backbiting an ordinary person. This is because if an ordinary person is backbitten, his fault remains with himself. However, if one in authority is backbitten, it leads to people’s dislike of him, their rebellion against him, and their refusal to accept his guidance and orders. This is a great harm that causes chaos, and the situation may even reach the point of fighting among people.
As for the one who does not judge by what Allah has revealed,It is said: One should disapprove of ruling by other than what Allah has revealed, but not publicly; because there is no benefit in disapproving of it publicly. Rather, one should disapprove of it to the ruler himself and write to him about it. If a person is able to reach the ruler in person, that is what is required. Otherwise, he should write a letter of advice and give it to someone who can deliver it to the ruler.