A person who follows the methodology of the Salaf and has many good deeds, but differs from them in dealing with the ruler: does he depart from the methodology?
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The questioner : His EminenceThe Shaykh : You mentioned in your speech about the Salafiyyah just now. If there is a man who appears to follow the Salaf, his creed is sound, and he has many good deeds, but he differs from the Salaf in the methodology of dealing with the ruler.
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : In the methodology of dealing with the ruler, does he depart from the Salafiyyah and become an innovator? He may be one who interprets the texts, and he may say to me, "I am a Salafi."
The Shaykh : There is no doubt that part of the methodology of the Salaf is patience with the harm of the rulers, making du'a for them, and performing Jumu'ah and the festivals with them. As the Shaykh al-Islam (may Allah have mercy on him) said in al-'Aqidah al-Wasitiyyah: "It is the way of the people of the Sunnah and the community to perform Jumu'ah and the festivals, Hajj, and jihad with the rulers, whether they are righteous or wicked".
And just as Imam Ahmad and other imams dealt with the rulers by what the situation required, such as making du'a for them, asking for guidance for them, not spreading their faults before the people, and offering advice to the best of one's ability. Remaining silent about an error is wrong, and spreading the error is wrong, and the truth lies between these two, as is the case with all things: the middle path is the best:[Al-Furqan 25:67].
The questioner : Does he depart from the Salafiyyah?
The Shaykh : The issue of whether he departs or not is a separate matter, but the point is that the school of the Salaf is patience with the rulers, making du'a for them, not inciting the people against them, and settling matters. In fact, the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 1847b.
The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : He has departed from the school of the Salaf in this; in this issue, he has departed from the school of the Salaf. But he may be on the school of the Salaf from another angle. However, this issue is among the most dangerous things for the common people, for the rulers, and for everyone. Because if people's hearts are filled with hatred for the rulers, they become corrupt and begin to rebel against his command and oppose him. They see his good deeds as bad, and they spread the bad deeds and hide the good ones. If this is added to belittling the status of the scholars, then the religion also becomes corrupt. In the corruption of the people toward the rulers, there is a disruption of security, and in the corruption of the people toward the scholars, there is a disruption of the Shari'ah. Because if people do not trust their scholars in the Shari'ah of Allah, in whom will they trust? The ignorant? Or will every person follow his own head and issue rulings for himself? This will not stand.
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : In the methodology of dealing with the ruler, does he depart from the Salafiyyah and become an innovator? He may be one who interprets the texts, and he may say to me, "I am a Salafi."
The Shaykh : There is no doubt that part of the methodology of the Salaf is patience with the harm of the rulers, making du'a for them, and performing Jumu'ah and the festivals with them. As the Shaykh al-Islam (may Allah have mercy on him) said in al-'Aqidah al-Wasitiyyah: "It is the way of the people of the Sunnah and the community to perform Jumu'ah and the festivals, Hajj, and jihad with the rulers, whether they are righteous or wicked".
And just as Imam Ahmad and other imams dealt with the rulers by what the situation required, such as making du'a for them, asking for guidance for them, not spreading their faults before the people, and offering advice to the best of one's ability. Remaining silent about an error is wrong, and spreading the error is wrong, and the truth lies between these two, as is the case with all things: the middle path is the best:
And [they are] those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, [justly] moderate
وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا أَنْفَقُوا لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُوا وَكَانَ بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ قَوَاماًThe questioner : Does he depart from the Salafiyyah?
The Shaykh : The issue of whether he departs or not is a separate matter, but the point is that the school of the Salaf is patience with the rulers, making du'a for them, not inciting the people against them, and settling matters. In fact, the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
even if your back is flogged and your wealth is snatched, you should listen and obey
اسمع وأطع، وإن ضرب ظهرك وأخذ مالكThe questioner : ...
The Shaykh : He has departed from the school of the Salaf in this; in this issue, he has departed from the school of the Salaf. But he may be on the school of the Salaf from another angle. However, this issue is among the most dangerous things for the common people, for the rulers, and for everyone. Because if people's hearts are filled with hatred for the rulers, they become corrupt and begin to rebel against his command and oppose him. They see his good deeds as bad, and they spread the bad deeds and hide the good ones. If this is added to belittling the status of the scholars, then the religion also becomes corrupt. In the corruption of the people toward the rulers, there is a disruption of security, and in the corruption of the people toward the scholars, there is a disruption of the Shari'ah. Because if people do not trust their scholars in the Shari'ah of Allah, in whom will they trust? The ignorant? Or will every person follow his own head and issue rulings for himself? This will not stand.