In Iraq, the preacher is forced to praise and glorify the ruler; is that permissible for him, especially since not doing so exposes him to punishment and harassment?

The questioner : A second question, Shaykh, regarding the preacher: there, in Iraq, the preacher goes up on the pulpit and is forced to praise and glorify...

The Shaykh : There is no power nor strength except by Allah.

The questioner : ...the ruler of the regime. If he does not pray for the ruler, he faces punishments and harassment. Is it permissible for him to pray for him or not?

The Shaykh : In truth, this is a delicate matter. If his supplication contradicts the Shari'ah in meaning—for example, if he is wicked and he describes him as righteous—that is hypocrisy and is not permissible under any circumstances. This falls under the previous point: there is no obedience to a creation in disobedience to the Creator. However, if the supplication means asking Allah to guide him, to protect him, to help him against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and so on, then this supplication is a religious innovation (bid'ah). But if this preacher feels that he is qualified for preaching and that he benefits the people he preaches to, and that the benefit of this sermon is greater than this innovation, then we say there is no harm in it. As for an ordinary preacher who only preaches for the sake of his salary and livelihood, we advise him not to preach to the people and not to expose himself to such an innovation.

The questioner : If you allow me...The Shaykh : As a follow-up, there is a situation here, Shaykh, meaning the situation the Muslim lives in... the preacher is a committed Muslim, and the Muslims—meaning the truth—turn to him.

The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and Allah's mercy and blessings. Welcome, welcome to the carrier and the carried.