Is Saddam Hussein considered a disbeliever?
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The questioner : We want to ask: Is Saddam a disbeliever?
The Shaykh : Regarding Saddam, opinions have been divided. I always say, and I will always say, that it does not matter to the Muslim, or to all Muslims, to know that a particular ruler is a disbeliever or an open sinner; because the outcome of both is the same for Muslims. If we say he is a disbeliever, or if we say he is a Muslim who is an open sinner and not a disbeliever, what is the result?
The questioner : The result is that it is obligatory to rise against both.
The Shaykh : And who will rise against them? Those who were unable to rise against the Jews?! Who will rise? Therefore, I say that the Muslim youth today are lost when they ask such a question and assume, or imagine, or verify—it does not matter—that a particular ruler is a disbeliever, an apostate from the religion. Fine, what does the people do? They rise against him! They are not able to free themselves from the oppression of this tyrannical ruler, let alone be able to rise against him and eliminate him. Moreover, contemporary history today is the greatest evidence that Muslims, or rather the Muslim youth, cannot do it; they do not know how to work for their religion and their Islam. We all know that many revolutions have occurred in some Islamic countries, and religious enthusiasm was the primary motive, but what was the fruit? It was very bitter; the outcome was bad in terms of their desire for reform, so they fell into corruption. The reason is what I mentioned earlier regarding the uprising: not taking the lawful and material means. Is that clear?
The questioner : Is that clear?
The Shaykh : So, returning to your question: if Saddam is a disbeliever, an apostate from his religion, then our duty, as Muslims, is to work to establish the Islamic society and the Islamic state. At that time, Zayd and Bakr will be removed from the path, whether he is a disbeliever or an open sinner. Do you understand how? Therefore, I do not approve, in any way, of the Muslim youth occupying themselves with obtaining or soliciting fatwas that a particular ruler is a disbeliever, or that a particular ruler is a Muslim; because there is no practical benefit behind these fatwas and these inquiries or questions, as I mentioned to you earlier.
The Shaykh : Regarding Saddam, opinions have been divided. I always say, and I will always say, that it does not matter to the Muslim, or to all Muslims, to know that a particular ruler is a disbeliever or an open sinner; because the outcome of both is the same for Muslims. If we say he is a disbeliever, or if we say he is a Muslim who is an open sinner and not a disbeliever, what is the result?
The questioner : The result is that it is obligatory to rise against both.
The Shaykh : And who will rise against them? Those who were unable to rise against the Jews?! Who will rise? Therefore, I say that the Muslim youth today are lost when they ask such a question and assume, or imagine, or verify—it does not matter—that a particular ruler is a disbeliever, an apostate from the religion. Fine, what does the people do? They rise against him! They are not able to free themselves from the oppression of this tyrannical ruler, let alone be able to rise against him and eliminate him. Moreover, contemporary history today is the greatest evidence that Muslims, or rather the Muslim youth, cannot do it; they do not know how to work for their religion and their Islam. We all know that many revolutions have occurred in some Islamic countries, and religious enthusiasm was the primary motive, but what was the fruit? It was very bitter; the outcome was bad in terms of their desire for reform, so they fell into corruption. The reason is what I mentioned earlier regarding the uprising: not taking the lawful and material means. Is that clear?
The questioner : Is that clear?
The Shaykh : So, returning to your question: if Saddam is a disbeliever, an apostate from his religion, then our duty, as Muslims, is to work to establish the Islamic society and the Islamic state. At that time, Zayd and Bakr will be removed from the path, whether he is a disbeliever or an open sinner. Do you understand how? Therefore, I do not approve, in any way, of the Muslim youth occupying themselves with obtaining or soliciting fatwas that a particular ruler is a disbeliever, or that a particular ruler is a Muslim; because there is no practical benefit behind these fatwas and these inquiries or questions, as I mentioned to you earlier.
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.