Submitted by : k.ibrahim on Strugle

Bismillah,IR-Rahman,IR-Rahim. Allah ta'ala said:

"It is not befitting for a believing man or woman, when a matter has been decided by Allaah and His Messenger, to have any option about their decision." [al-Ahzaab 33:36]

And Allah ta'ala said:

"Believers! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger and those charged with authority among you; if you differ in anything, refer it to Allaah and the Messenger (for judgment) if you (truly) believe in Allaah and the Last Day: that is best, and most suitable for final determination" [an-Nisa' 4:59] Abu Hurairah reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)said:He who obeyed me, ALLAH and he who disobeyed me, disobeyed ALLAH. and he who obeyed the ruler, obeyed me and he who disobeyed the ruler, disobeyed me. Verily the ruler is a shield. One fights behind him and is safeguarded through him. if the ruler orders with ALLAH-Consciousness and acts justly,he is entitled to a reward for that and if he speaks otherwise, he will have to bear a burden of his misdeeds. The People of Authority

Two views have been expressed by the Sahaabah and the 'ulama (scholars) as to who are the ones "charged with authority". The first is that they are the 'ulama and the other is that they are the rulers.

In reality, it applies to both groups, because both the 'ulama and the rulers are in charge of the affairs concerning which Allah has sent His Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) .

As for the 'ulama, they are charged with protecting the Deen, explaining it, teaching it, and refuting those who deviate from it or try to alter it. Allah ta'ala gave them this charge, as He said:

"These [prophets] were the men to whom We granted the Book and Judgement and Prophethood; if these people [of the Scripture] reject them, behold! We shall entrust their charge to a new people who do not reject them..." [al-An'aam 6:89]

This is indeed a great assignment to the 'ulama that requires from people to obey and follow them. `In such matters about which there is no clear command or instruction in the Qur'an and Sunnah, the problem is decided keeping in view similar and resembling cases. This mode of deciding about its being permitted or prohibited is called Ijtihad. Evidently, this process can be employed by only such people who has full command about the various branches of knowledge pertaining to Qur'an and Sunnah. Not every person can do it nor is supposed to do it. From here we conclude that the rulers, judges or a bureaucrat in a Muslim country should be learned scholars, i.e., an `Alim well versed in Qur'an and Sunnah; so that they can interpret the laws of Islam with utmost care and in a befitting and sincere manner. they should do the job sincerely and with a pious intention. With such mode of works, they will be bestowed with reward in every case. However, if their interpretation is correct, they will receive a double reward. Amr bin `Al-`As (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard Rasulallah(sallallahu alaihi was salam)saying, "When a judge utilizes his skill of judgement and comes to a right decision, he will have a double reward, but when he uses his judgement and commits a mistake, he will have a single reward.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

And as for the rulers, they are charged with establishing the Deen, safeguarding it, compelling people to adhere to it, and punishing those who deviate from it. These Rulers have not carry out their responsibility to the Muslims people, the Ulama should be abil to holded the Rulers Accountabil for their actions or their inactions through the Sharia. Thus these two groups are in charge of the affairs of the muslim people, and other people are their followers and subjects. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Once Rasulallah(sallallahu alaihi was salam) was speaking to us when, a bedouin came and asked him: "When will the Last Day be?'' Rasulallah(sallallahu alaihi was salam) continued his talk. Some of those present thought that he had heard him but disliked the interruption and the other said that he had not hear him. When Rasulallah(sallallahu alaihi was salam) concluded his speech he asked, "Where is the one who inquired about the Last Day?'' The man replied: "Here I am.'' Rasulallah(sallallahu alaihi was salam) replied, "When the practice of honouring a trust is lost, expect the Last Day.'' He asked: "How could it be lost?'' He replied, "When the government is entrusted to the undeserving people, then wait for the Last Day.'' [Al-Bukhari]. Here a very important sign of the nearness of the Day of Judgement has been mentioned: The affairs of the world will be in the hands of wicked and undeserving people. The sinners and wicked people will become the leaders of the world. The preaching pulpits would also be occupied by people who would be greedy and ignorant. They will be devoid of piety and abstinence. the Muslims people gets the Rulers or leaders they deserve, if they the people are good, then they deserve a good Ruler or leader,but if the people are bad then they get the Ruler or leader they deserve. Auf ibn Malik, Al-Ashja'i reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)said: Your Best rulers are those whom you Love and they Love you,and you bless them and bless you. and your worst rulers are those whom you hate and they hate you, and you curse them and they curse you. he(Auf) said:we observed,Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam ),we may then overthrow them in such a case? He Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam )said: No,so Long as they establish prayer amongst you. Behold,he who is ruler and he (the ruled)finds him committing somthing of the nature of disobedience to ALLAH, he should dislike what he (the ruler) commits as a disobedience of ALLAH but should not rise in revolt against him. So if the Rulers are Tyrants in a Islamic Society then they are the Will of ALLAH! and Their removel at this present time is the will of ALLAH. Under other circumstances they would be a punishment on the people, until the muslims people turn their Hearts back toward ALLAH with Sincerity. ! And once they had turn back to ALLAH, then the Tyrants would have been remove, if they the Tyrants were remove by any other means and not replace with the Good and righteous people then the Society (will)would falls in to confusion and Chaos.(Iraq,Egypt,Libya,Sudan,Tunisia,___,____,____,___,___and___). Matters of Dispute

Furthermore, there is in the above ayah (an-Nisa' 59) a clear evidence that all matters of disagreement, in all aspects of the Deen, should be referred to Allah and His Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam - and to no one else.

Anyone referring disputes to other than Allah and His Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) opposes this command by Allah. And anyone who calls to other than Allah's and His Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam ' judgment to resolve disagreements, calls indeed with the call of Jahiliyyah 4.

One does not truly enter the realm of Iman or Faith until he refers all differences arising among the muslim people to Allah and His Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). For this reason, this ayah continues as, "... if you believe in Allah and the Last Day..."

Thus if this condition (of referring disputes to Allah and His Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam ) is not satisfied by a person, this implies the absence of Iman in him.

This ayah should be a sufficient clarification and guidance in this matter (of obeying the Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam ). It constitutes a protection and a support for those who abide by it; and it is a powerful refutation and attack against those who deny it, as Allah ta'ala said:

"... That he who would perish might perish in clear evidence [of the truth], and that he who would remain alive might live in clear evidence [of the truth]. And verily Allaah is All-Hearing, All Knowing..." [al-Anfaal 8:42]

The earlier and later Muslims agreed that referring matters to Allah means referring them to His Book, and referring matters to the Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam means referring them to him personally during his life, and to his Sunnah after his death.

The Excellence of Obeying the Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) The above ayah (an-Nisa' 59) ends with, "... that is best, and most suitable for final determination..." This means, "That with which I commanded you (to obey ME and obey My Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and the people of authority, and to refer disputes to(Me and My Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam ) is better for you in this life and in the Hereafter; it leads to your happiness in both lives. Therefore, it is best and most rewarding for you."

This indicates that obeying Allah ta'ala and His Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam , and taking them as the referees, is the means to immediate and continued happiness.

Anyone who examines closely the evils that existence world today and in the Pass, they will find that each of them is caused by disobeying the Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam . Similarly, every good in the world today and in the pass results from obeying him. Furthermore, all the evils and pains in the Hereafter result from disobeying him Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. Thus, all the evils in both lives are caused by disobeying the Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and by its consequences. If people obeyed him Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam properly, there would be no evil on earth. This applies equally to these worldly events today! And the general natural catastrophes and calamities, and to the personal evils, pains, and sorrow that are occurring to people Today.

In obeying him Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is a refuge and a protection for those who want to prosper and be happy. And this prosperity and happiness cannot be achieved until one strives first to learn what the Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam taught, and then confirm it with true actions.

The Human Excellence

There are two additional actions which complete the happiness arising from truly obeying Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam . The first is to invite people to obey him Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam , and the second is to have patience and perseverance in fulfilling this mission.

Thus the human excellence is confined to four matters:

First, knowing the Message of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. Second, acting in accordance with this knowledge.

Third, spreading this knowledge among people and inviting them to it.

Fourth, persevering and striving in accomplishing all this.

One who seeks to learn how the Sahaabah (R) lived and who want to follow them should know that this was indeed their way [so let him follow it). A poet once said:

"If you want to reach those folk, follow their way: It is quite manifest for those who aspire to it."

A'isha radi Allahu anha was once asked about the verse,

"Then We gave the Book the Qur'an) for inheritance to such of Our slaves whom We chose (the followers of Muhammad) Then of them are some who wrong their ownselves, and of them are some who follow a middle course, and of them are some who are, by Allah's Leave, foremost in good deeds. That (inheritance of the Qur'an), that is indeed a great grace." (Surah Fatir:32)

She answered "'My son! They are in Paradise. Those who raced towards good deeds are those who lived during the time of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam who testified to their sustenance and Paradise. As for those who were moderate, they followed him among his companions and caught up with him. And as for those who wronged themselves are concerned., they are people like me and you."