How do we reconcile the hadith (The imams are from Quraysh) with the hadith of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him): (Obey and listen, even if an Abyssinian slave is appointed over you)?

The questioner : Well, how do we reconcile the hadith: with the hadith of the Messenger - (peace and blessings be upon him) - : ?

The Shaykh : Yes, there is no disagreement, and praise be to Allah. First: the first hadith establishes a system for the Muslim community if they wish to choose a ruler over them. It tells them that certain conditions must be met, and among these conditions, which cannot be reached except through explicit Islamic legal text, is that the ruler must be from Quraysh. As for , this is to address a practical reality. This practical reality, meaning even if it is an Abyssinian slave, implies that this reality is either contrary to the Shari'ah or in accordance with the Shari'ah. So this second hadith does not differ from the first hadith in a way that creates permanent conflict. Rather, this second hadith can be interpreted in two ways. One is: it is asked in the previous question, how do we reconcile it with the first hadith? The other interpretation is that there is no need for this question. Why? He - (peace and blessings be upon him) - said: . The ruling governor now, and in every time and place, must have deputies, successors in the lands, judges, muftis, and so on, as is observed, even in the lands of disbelief. These governors whom the first governor, the greatest imam, has appointed must be obeyed. Here the hadith applies: . In this case, it does not conflict with the first hadith but rather aligns with it completely. There is a second possibility, which may appear to conflict with the first hadith, that the ruler is a rebel. And unfortunately, Islamic history has many such things. For example, in this country, God forbid, or in any other country, a coup occurs, which is the fashion of the present age, and by one means or another, the Muslim ruler who had the pledge of allegiance from the Muslim community is overthrown, and the matter settles with this rebel. It is not permissible for us now to rebel against his orders because it would lead to a greater fitnah than the fitnah he established, and the blood of Muslims would be shed. From this, it was among the inherited beliefs of the Salaf to pray behind every righteous and every wicked person, to pray over every righteous and every wicked person, and to obey the rulers as long as you do not see open disbelief. So if a man rebels and tyrannizes and his situation becomes established, then from the perspective of taking the lesser of two evils, this person is obeyed.

The questioner : In matters other than disobedience to Allah.

The Shaykh : In matters other than disobedience, this is a rule that does not change. So this is the answer regarding the second hadith. Thus, it has two aspects: one aspect aligns, and one aspect differs. But this differing aspect is from the perspective of taking the lesser of two evils.

The questioner : There is a Shaykh, Dawud al-Alusi, in Baghdad.

The Shaykh : Dawud, what?

The questioner : Dawud al-Alusi was sitting in the Holy City, may Allah bless you, meaning, what Allah willed, he is asking about your new books...

The Shaykh : He asks the office, specifically the Islamic Library, which has special care for my books. He can correspond with them or call their phone number, and he will obtain some of the books available today.

The questioner : The last book he obtained was the Fatawa of Ibn Taymiyyah... this was before Bush... through the embassy, and he received it... if it had been delayed, it would have been lost.

The Shaykh : Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You. I bear witness that there is no deity but You. I seek Your forgiveness and I repent to You.