Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … The purpose of mentioning this verse by Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbas radi Allahu anhuma is the phrase “fa-in tanaza‘tum…” because the entire verse is as follows: {یٰٓاَیُّھَا الَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْٓا اَطِیْعُوا اللّٰہَ وَاَطِیْعُوا الرَّسُوْلَ وَاُولِی الْاَمْرِ مِنْکُمْ فَاِنْ تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِیْ شَیْء ٍ فَرُدُّوْہُ اِلَی اللّٰہِ وَالرَّسُوْلِ اِنْ کُنْتُمْ تُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِاللّٰہِ وَالْیَوْمِ الْاٰخِرِ ذٰلِکَ خَیْرٌ وَّاَحْسَنُ تَاْوِیْلًا۔} … O you who have believed! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. Then if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result. (Surah al-Nisa: 59) What is the incident of Sahmi? See Hadith number (4932).

By Uli al-Amr (those in authority) are meant the leaders, rulers, and caliphs, regarding whom the legal principle is that their obedience is obligatory as long as they do not command disobedience to Allah and His Messenger. As is mentioned in the following blessed hadith: It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar radi Allahu anhuma that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: ((Al-sam‘u wa al-ta‘atu ‘ala al-mar’i al-muslim fima ahabba wa kariha ma lam yu’mar bima‘siyatin fa-idha umira bima‘siyatin fala sam‘a wa la ta‘ah.)) … It is obligatory upon a Muslim man (to obey the leader) in matters he likes or dislikes, as long as he is not commanded to commit a sin. If he is commanded to commit a sin, then there is neither listening nor obedience. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)