Continuation of the explanation of the preceding hadith.

The Shaykh : The one before it says: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: If he sees something from his ruler that he dislikes, let him be patient. The term "ruler" here includes the minor ruler under the general authority and the major ruler. His statement "something that he dislikes" includes what the ruler did as a specific act that does not extend to others, such as seeing him drink intoxicants or commit unlawful sexual intercourse or the like, or disliking it because of an act that extends to others, such as seeing him consume people's wealth unjustly, or imprisoning them, or jailing them, or transgressing against him personally. He must be patient, for no one separates from the group by even a span and dies except that he dies the death of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance. "Separates from the group by a span" means any separation, for the word "span" here is an expression of exaggeration, meaning even if it is a slight separation from the group, and he does not listen or obey, he dies the death of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance, even if he is upon Islam. This contains a severe warning against separating from the group. Likewise, whoever stirs up matters that necessitate separation and hatred of the imams and the like, this may fall under that, and in fact, this is more harmful because it harms others as well in their hatred of the rulers and their rising against them, and this harm is great. For this reason, the community did not experience division and calamity except through this; they conspired against their caliphs, such as 'Ali and 'Uthman (may Allah be pleased with them), and the great fitnah occurred in which the door was broken and did not stand after all this. This indicates the importance of obeying the rulers, even if we dislike what they do to us or to others, or what they do with regard to Allah. Our position in such matters is to ask Allah for their guidance and not to confront them, but to advise them as best we can, whether secretly by writing, or secretly by speaking, or through an intermediary. This is what is obligatory upon us.