Obey Allah OR Those in Authority ???

Allah says,

“O you who believe! Obey Allah and Obey the Messenger and those in authority among you.” [4:59]

There is no doubt that every Muslim is obliged to obey every legitimate Muslim ruler in authority over them. Whether they are scholars judging between the communities or the heads of state ruling over the people by whatever Allah has revealed.

There is also no doubt that we must obey and remain loyal to a Muslim ruler even if he oppresses us because rising against them would cause division, weakening the Ummah and helping our enemies against ourselves.

The Prophet (saws) said,

“There will be after me rulers who will not follow my guidance nor my traditions and there will be among them a man with the heart of the shayateen in a human body,” Hudhaifah said, “What should I do if I am in that time O Messenger of Allah?” The Prophet (saws) said, “Listen and obey even if your back has been lashed and your money has been taken.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

That is why we are faced with such a difficult and confusing situation today. Today we face a time when the rulers over the so-called Muslim lands give us mixed messages; a time when the rulers are disconnected from the Ummah and seem to defend the interests of non-Muslims over our own interests.

Those rulers seem to extend their hands to Israel and turn their backs to Palestine; they seem to facilitate the occupation of Muslim lands like Iraq and Afghanistan. They seem to punish the one who questions or criticizes Western forces more harshly than the one who swears at Allah or His messenger.

Moreover, they seem to permit the things Allah forbade such as Ribaa (usury) and Zinaa (fornication) and some of them even forbid obligations laid down by Allah such as the Hijaab.

So what do we do when the rulers do not behave like leaders or when the rulers do not even behave like Muslims? What can we do when our rulers betray us in favour of disbelievers? What should we do when our rulers adopt Western law, man-made law instead of the Law of Allah? Abdullah ibn Mas’ood narrated that the Prophet (saws) said,

“There will be after me people in authority that will extinguish the Sunnah and innovate Bid’ah and they will delay the Salah from its time.” He asked, “What should I do in that time?” He (saws) said, “Are you asking me O son of umm ‘Abid what to do? Verily, there is no obedience to the one who disobeys Allah.” [Ibn Majah]

In fact Allah warned us not to stand by a ruler who chooses a law different than that of Allah and His messenger in the Qur’an,

“O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you and if you differ in any matter, then refer (or return/arbitrate) it back to Allah and His messenger…” [4:59]

In fact, to rise and oppose a tyrant ruler that rules by other than Islam is from the example of the Salaf and the Prophet (saws) said,

“The best jihad is to speak a word of truth against a tyrant ruler.” [Musnad Imam Ahmed]

So let us ask ourselves: Isn’t it about time that we withdrew our loyalty from treacherous, tyrant rulers that both love and fear west more than Allah? Isn’t it about time that we turned our back on man-made law and turned to the King of all kings for legislation? Isn’t it about time that we stood by the Deen of Allah and called for Islam, the best Law revealed to the best man, to be implemented over His creation? Isn't it time?