Is it permissible for a scholar, if he considers something to be the stronger position and the ruler contradicts him in that, to follow the ruler for the sake of public benefit?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : Can a scholar, if he has valid evidence for a scientific issue and sees that the Caliph is contradicting this evidence, act according to public benefit to work on...?
The Shaykh : In a permissible matter.
The questioner : Permissible?
The Shaykh : In a permissible matter, because contradicting the rulers and opposing them is not easy; it gives rise to great harms. When hearts come to hate the rulers, they no longer obey them, and the community becomes scattered. The rulers have allies, so enmity, hatred, and conflict arise between these people and the allies of the rulers. This is not a trivial matter. For this reason, 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was compelled to enter the state of ihram for the combined pilgrimage so that he would not contradict the order of the Commander of the Faithful, 'Uthman, in outward action and deed.
The questioner : Shaykh, do we say this is obligatory or permissible?
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : Was the action of 'Ali and Abu Musa permissible or obligatory?
The Shaykh : The situation varies. Yes.
The Shaykh : In a permissible matter.
The questioner : Permissible?
The Shaykh : In a permissible matter, because contradicting the rulers and opposing them is not easy; it gives rise to great harms. When hearts come to hate the rulers, they no longer obey them, and the community becomes scattered. The rulers have allies, so enmity, hatred, and conflict arise between these people and the allies of the rulers. This is not a trivial matter. For this reason, 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was compelled to enter the state of ihram for the combined pilgrimage
With both of them.
بهما جميعًاThe questioner : Shaykh, do we say this is obligatory or permissible?
The Shaykh : What?
The questioner : Was the action of 'Ali and Abu Musa permissible or obligatory?
The Shaykh : The situation varies. Yes.