Some say that the authorities (wulāt al-amr) whom obedience is obligatory for are only the rulers of the state, and they cite the verse preceding it: “Indeed, Allah commands you to…”

The questioner : ...

The Shaykh : Be patient, be patient, what did they say? I didn’t hear you.

The questioner : The intended meaning of the saying of the Exalted: is other than the rulers of the state. They cited the verse preceding it: .

The Shaykh : And among the scholars are judges and rulers who are obligated to judge with justice, to rule with justice. Likewise, the scholars: Do you not know that some of the scholars show favoritism in their fatwas? Zayd comes to ask him for a ruling, and he says, “This is forbidden, one of the major sins. I seek refuge in Allah, you are in the Fire, you have exposed yourself.” Then another comes to ask him about the same issue, and he says, “By Allah, this issue is one of disagreement (khilaf).” An issue of disagreement? In an issue of disagreement, one scholar says, “Take the easier option,” and another says, “Take the more cautious option,” and since it is an issue of disagreement, the matter is broad. Yes, and it is one issue, yet some of the scholars who issue fatwas do this.