✍ Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
The previously mentioned aḥādīth regarding obedience to rulers also serve as clear evidence for the duty of patience and offering sincere counsel to unjust leaders.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
من رأى من أميره شيئا يكرهه فليصبر، فإنه ليس أحد يفارق الجماعة شبرا فيموت إلا مات ميتة جاهلية
“Whoever sees from his ruler something he dislikes, let him be patient.
For whoever separates himself from the Jama‘ah (the Muslim community) even a hand-span and dies in that state, dies the death of Jāhiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance).”
[Al-Bukhārī: 7053, Kitāb al-Fitan, Bāb: Qawl al-Nabī ﷺ ‘Satarawna Ba‘dī Umūran Tunkirūnahā’]
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The Israelites used to be governed by their prophets. Whenever a prophet died, another succeeded him. But there will be no prophet after me; rather, there will be many caliphs.”
The Companions asked: “O Messenger of Allah, what do you command us to do?”
He ﷺ said:
أوفوا ببيعة الأول فالأول، وأعطوهم حقهم، فإن الله سائلهم عما استرعاهم
“Fulfill the pledge of allegiance to the first (leader), then to the next. Give them their due rights, for indeed Allah will question them regarding those under their care.”
[Al-Bukhārī: 3455; Muslim: 1842; Ibn Mājah: 2871; Ibn Ḥibbān: 4555; Aḥmad: 2/297]
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“What will you do, O Abū Dharr, when rulers after me will withhold the spoils (of war) and make them exclusive to themselves?”
Abū Dharr replied: “By the One Who sent you with the truth, I will take my sword and fight them until I meet you (i.e., until death).”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
أفلا أدلك على ما هو خير من ذلك؟ تصبر حتى تلقاني
“Shall I not tell you something better? Be patient until you meet me (on the Day of Judgment).”
[Abū Dāwūd: 4759; Musnad Aḥmad: 5/179]
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
تسمع وتطيع وإن ضرب ظهرك وأخذ مالك فاسمع وأطع
“Listen and obey, even if (the ruler) strikes your back and takes your wealth — listen and obey.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1847; Musnad Aḥmad: 5/384]
Ibn Ḥajar al-‘Asqalānī رحمه الله said:
“The jurists have reached consensus that obedience to the ruler who has taken control of authority by force, and participating with him in jihād, is obligatory.
Obedience to such a ruler is better and more virtuous than rebellion against him.”
[Fatḥ al-Bārī: 14/496]
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
الدين النصيحة
“The religion is sincere advice.”
He ﷺ repeated this statement three times.
The Companions asked: “To whom, O Messenger of Allah?”
He ﷺ replied:
لله، ولكتابه، ولرسوله، ولأئمة المسلمين، وعامتهم
“To Allah, to His Book, to His Messenger, to the leaders of the Muslims, and to their common folk.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 55, Kitāb al-Īmān, Bāb: Bayān anna al-Dīn al-Naṣīḥah]
Offering naṣīḥah (sincere advice) to Muslim rulers means:
All the Qur’ānic and Prophetic evidences commanding mutual counsel, enjoining good, and forbidding evil also affirm the principle of offering sincere, respectful advice to rulers — privately, sincerely, and without inciting rebellion or public discord.
✿ Obligation to Show Patience and Offer Sincere Advice to Oppressive Rulers
The previously mentioned aḥādīth regarding obedience to rulers also serve as clear evidence for the duty of patience and offering sincere counsel to unjust leaders.
◈ ① Ḥadīth of Ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
من رأى من أميره شيئا يكرهه فليصبر، فإنه ليس أحد يفارق الجماعة شبرا فيموت إلا مات ميتة جاهلية
“Whoever sees from his ruler something he dislikes, let him be patient.
For whoever separates himself from the Jama‘ah (the Muslim community) even a hand-span and dies in that state, dies the death of Jāhiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance).”
[Al-Bukhārī: 7053, Kitāb al-Fitan, Bāb: Qawl al-Nabī ﷺ ‘Satarawna Ba‘dī Umūran Tunkirūnahā’]◈ ② Ḥadīth of Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The Israelites used to be governed by their prophets. Whenever a prophet died, another succeeded him. But there will be no prophet after me; rather, there will be many caliphs.”
The Companions asked: “O Messenger of Allah, what do you command us to do?”
He ﷺ said:
أوفوا ببيعة الأول فالأول، وأعطوهم حقهم، فإن الله سائلهم عما استرعاهم
“Fulfill the pledge of allegiance to the first (leader), then to the next. Give them their due rights, for indeed Allah will question them regarding those under their care.”
[Al-Bukhārī: 3455; Muslim: 1842; Ibn Mājah: 2871; Ibn Ḥibbān: 4555; Aḥmad: 2/297]◈ ③ Ḥadīth of Abū Dharr رضي الله عنه
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“What will you do, O Abū Dharr, when rulers after me will withhold the spoils (of war) and make them exclusive to themselves?”
Abū Dharr replied: “By the One Who sent you with the truth, I will take my sword and fight them until I meet you (i.e., until death).”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
أفلا أدلك على ما هو خير من ذلك؟ تصبر حتى تلقاني
“Shall I not tell you something better? Be patient until you meet me (on the Day of Judgment).”
[Abū Dāwūd: 4759; Musnad Aḥmad: 5/179]◈ ④ Ḥadīth of Ḥudhayfah رضي الله عنه
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
تسمع وتطيع وإن ضرب ظهرك وأخذ مالك فاسمع وأطع
“Listen and obey, even if (the ruler) strikes your back and takes your wealth — listen and obey.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1847; Musnad Aḥmad: 5/384]✿ Consensus of the Scholars
Ibn Ḥajar al-‘Asqalānī رحمه الله said:
“The jurists have reached consensus that obedience to the ruler who has taken control of authority by force, and participating with him in jihād, is obligatory.
Obedience to such a ruler is better and more virtuous than rebellion against him.”
[Fatḥ al-Bārī: 14/496]◈ ⑤ Ḥadīth of Tamīm al-Dārī رضي الله عنه
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
الدين النصيحة
“The religion is sincere advice.”
He ﷺ repeated this statement three times.
The Companions asked: “To whom, O Messenger of Allah?”
He ﷺ replied:
لله، ولكتابه، ولرسوله، ولأئمة المسلمين، وعامتهم
“To Allah, to His Book, to His Messenger, to the leaders of the Muslims, and to their common folk.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 55, Kitāb al-Īmān, Bāb: Bayān anna al-Dīn al-Naṣīḥah]✿ Meaning of “Sincere Advice to the Leaders”
Offering naṣīḥah (sincere advice) to Muslim rulers means:
- To obey them in matters of truth and righteousness,
- To avoid rebellion or disobedience against them without valid Shar‘ī cause,
- To offer them sound counsel when they seek guidance, and
- To pray for their rectitude and justice, rather than spreading chaos or division.
✿ General Evidences Supporting the Duty of Advice
All the Qur’ānic and Prophetic evidences commanding mutual counsel, enjoining good, and forbidding evil also affirm the principle of offering sincere, respectful advice to rulers — privately, sincerely, and without inciting rebellion or public discord.
Conclusion
- Muslims must show patience toward the injustices of their rulers.
- It is obligatory to advise them sincerely rather than revolt against them.
- As long as rulers do not abandon prayer or commit open disbelief, obedience and patience are better than rebellion.
- True religious conduct involves naṣīḥah — sincere advice for Allah, His Messenger ﷺ, the rulers, and the Muslim community.
