The ruling on one who refuses to make du'a' for the one in authority

Q: And one who refuses to make du'a' for the one in authority—may Allah preserve you.

A: This is due to his ignorance and lack of insight; because making du'a' for the one in authority is among the greatest acts of drawing near to Allah, among the best of obedience, and among the sincere advice for Allah and His servants. When it was said to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): "Indeed, the tribe of Dawas has rebelled, and they are disbelievers," he said: So Allah guided them, and they came to him as Muslims. Therefore, the believer makes du'a' for people with good, and the ruler is the most deserving of being made du'a' for; because his well-being is the well-being of the Muslim community. So making du'a' for him is among the most important du'a's, and among the most important advice: that he be granted success in truth and aided in it, that Allah rectify his inner circle for him, and that Allah protect him from the evil of his own self and the evil of bad companions. So making du'a' for him with success, guidance, rectification of the heart and deeds, and rectification of the inner circle is among the most important matters and among the best acts of drawing near to Allah. It is narrated from Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) that he said: "If I knew that I had a du'a' that would be answered, I would direct it to the ruler." And that is also narrated from al-Fudayl ibn 'Iyad (may Allah have mercy on him).