Surah Hud (11) — Ayah 113

(Ayah 113) ➊ {وَ لَا تَرْكَنُوْۤا اِلَى الَّذِيْنَ ظَلَمُوْا:’’رَكِنَ‘‘} (ن، ع، ف) To incline. (1) There is a difference between { ’’ الَّذِيْنَ ظَلَمُوْا ‘‘} and {’’اَلظَّالِمِيْنَ‘‘}. {’’ الَّذِيْنَ ظَلَمُوْا ‘‘} refers to those people who have committed injustice, even if only occasionally, and {’’اَلظَّالِمِيْنَ‘‘} refers to those who are habitual wrongdoers, whose way is injustice itself. When inclining towards the first type of people is forbidden, then you can yourself estimate about inclining towards the second type. (2) When it is forbidden to incline towards those who have committed injustice, then how detestable must it be in the sight of Allah Almighty to commit injustice oneself. In a Hadith Qudsi, Allah Almighty said: [ يَا عِبَادِيْ ! إِنِّيْ حَرَّمْتُ الظُّلْمَ عَلٰی نَفْسِيْ وَ جَعَلْتُهُ بَيْنَكُمْ مُحَرَّمًا، فَلَا تَظَالَمُوْا ] [ مسلم، البر والصلۃ، باب تحریم الظلم : ۲۵۷۷، عن أبي ذر رضی اللہ عنہ ] "O My servants! I have made oppression unlawful for Myself and have made it unlawful among you, so do not oppress one another." And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [ اِتَّقُوْا الظُّلْمَ فَإِنَّ الظُّلْمَ ظُلُمَاتٌ يَّوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ] [ مسلم، البر والصلۃ، باب تحریم الظلم : ۲۵۷۸، عن جابر بن عبد اللہ رضی اللہ عنھما ] "Beware of oppression, for oppression will be darknesses on the Day of Resurrection." (3) All forms of injustice are included in this, including shirk and all other injustices, meaning do not have any friendship or love with those who incline towards injustice, whether they are disbelievers or Muslims in name only. (Shawkani) (4) Inclining towards them includes loving them, socializing with them, sitting with them, going to meet them, remaining silent over their injustice, being pleased with their actions, imitating them, adopting their fashions, mentioning them with honor and respect—all of this is included. The lowest level of {’’ رُكُوْنٌ ‘‘} (inclining) is to remain silent while being near them, and the highest level is to encourage and help them in their injustice.

➋ { فَتَمَسَّكُمُ النَّارُ … : ’’ وَ لَا تَرْكَنُوْۤا ‘‘} The "fa" in response to the prohibition has given {’’ تَمَسَّ‘‘} the subjunctive mood. From this verse, the prohibition of having relations and connections with oppressive rulers, leaders, and chiefs is derived. However, if one keeps relations with them to protect oneself from their harm, for public interest, for the sake of inviting to religion, or for a religious necessity, then it is permissible, provided that one harbors hatred in the heart due to their injustice, as mentioned in Surah Al-Imran (28) and some hadiths. In short, heartfelt love or inclination towards those who commit injustice is not permissible in any case, but going to them out of necessity, advising them, remaining silent over their injustice out of compulsion, or maintaining relations for religious benefit and the call to truth and its affirmation is a different matter.

➌ {ثُمَّ لَا تُنْصَرُوْنَ:} This verse proves that if the ruler is oppressive and wicked, obedience to him is only required when he does not command injustice or disobedience to the Shariah. If he commands something against the Shariah, then obeying him is not permissible, except that one outwardly shows obedience to avoid harm and considers it wrong in the heart, as mentioned above with reference to Surah Al-Imran. Obedience to the ruler is obligatory when: (1) He is a Muslim. See Surah An-Nisa (59). (2) He establishes the prayer among the Muslims. See Muslim (1855). (3) Open disbelief does not appear from him. See Bukhari (7056). (4) And he does not command disobedience to Allah. See Bukhari (7144). From {’’ وَ مَا لَكُمْ مِّنْ دُوْنِ اللّٰهِ مِنْ اَوْلِيَآءَ ثُمَّ لَا تُنْصَرُوْنَ ‘‘} it is also understood that supporting oppressive rulers and inclining towards them results, in addition to the punishment of the Hereafter, in being deprived of Allah Almighty's friendship (support and help) and His assistance. Today, every person is witnessing this reality with their own eyes.