Who Is Infallible Besides the Prophet ﷺ? The Ruling on Rulers and Obedience
Source: Fatāwā Rāshidiyyah, p.221
❖ Question
Is anyone other than the Prophet ﷺ infallible (maʿṣūm)?
❖ Answer
Only the Prophet ﷺ Is Infallible
- According to Qur’an and Hadith, no one besides the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is infallible.
- All other human beings are prone to mistakes—whether in knowledge or in actions—even the noble Companions رضي الله عنهم.
- Therefore, no ruler or head of state can ever be considered infallible.
The Prophet ﷺ was protected from error in conveying religion because he spoke by revelation:
﴿وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ ٱلْهَوَىٰ﴾
"Nor does he speak from [his own] desire."
[al-Najm: 3]
Thus, absolute obedience belongs only to Allah’s Messenger ﷺ.
❖ Conditions of Obedience to Others
- Obedience to parents, scholars, or rulers is conditional:
- If their commands agree with Qur’an and Sunnah, obedience is obligatory.
- If their commands contradict Qur’an and Sunnah, then there is no obedience.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«لا طاعة لمخلوق في معصية الخالق»
"There is no obedience to any created being if it involves disobedience to the Creator."
[Musnad Aḥmad 5/66, no.20680]
❖ Principles for Appointing a Khalīfah
- The Khalīfah should be one who is formally chosen by the righteous and knowledgeable Muslims.
- If someone seizes power by force, he is not a legitimate Khalīfah.
- However, if after taking power he rules according to Islam, enforces Allah’s laws, and guides people to Qur’an and Sunnah, then obedience to him becomes obligatory.
❖ The Reality of Deviant Rulers
- A ruler who openly violates Islam, promotes shirk and bidʿah, supports shrines of shirk, or encourages grave-worship cannot be chosen as Khalīfah.
- Such a person even loses his claim to being a Muslim.
Examples today:
- Many rulers patronize centers of shirk.
- They lay floral sheets on graves.
- They actively spread grave-worship.
Such rulers:
- Are unfit for leadership,
- Cannot be considered our guides,
- And if they govern by oppression, they themselves will face its consequences.
- Obedience to them is not binding on us.
❖ Core Principle
- The head of a state must be religious and God-fearing.
- One who adopts Satanic methods cannot be the legitimate leader of Muslims.
ھذا ما عندی واللہ أعلم بالصواب
