Explanation of the words of Imam al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) regarding what he quoted: "

The Shaykh : In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
We have previously mentioned that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gave an example of those who uphold the limits of Allah and those who transgress them, comparing them to people on a ship who drew lots, so some were in the upper part and some in the lower part. Those in the lower part were drawing water from the upper part, so they said: “Should we not make a hole in the water [level] so that we do not harm those above us?” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: This indicates that a teacher should use a tangible example when the intended meaning is far from imagination and understanding. In this hadith, which the author mentioned in our lesson today, he (peace and blessings be upon him) informed us that there will be rulers over us, meaning they will be appointed over us by the one in authority. Among them will be things we know [and approve of] and things we disapprove of, meaning they do not uphold the limits of Allah and do not stand firm on the command of Allah. You will know [the good in them] and disapprove [of the evil in them], and they are rulers for the one in authority who has the pledge of allegiance. Meaning: he will perish just as they perished. Then they asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): This indicates that if we see from the rulers what we disapprove of, we should dislike it and disapprove of them. If they guide themselves, it is for our benefit and theirs; if they do not guide themselves, it is for our benefit and to their detriment. It is not permissible for us to fight the rulers from whom we see evil, because fighting them involves much evil and causes much good to be lost. If they are fought or opposed, it will only increase their evil, for they are rulers who consider themselves above people, so if people oppose or fight them, their evil increases.