ISLAMIC STANCE ON OBEYING EVIL LEADERS!
In Islam, leadership is a great trust (amānah) that must be established upon the basis of the Islamic ‘Aqīdah and implemented based on the Qur’an and Sunnah.
However, with deep regret, due to the deliberate removal of political fiqh (Fiqh as-Siyasah) and societal transactions (mu‘āmalāt) by colonialists in cooperation with treacherous puppet rulers, the Ummah has lost the correct guidance regarding this trust.
The commonly understood aspect of trust is mostly limited to financial dealings and honesty!
Meanwhile,the trust in governance and leadership has been deliberately ignored and obscured by corrupt regimes.
Yet,the Messenger of Allah (SAW) explained this matter clearly and openly,so that his Ummah would live in peace without fear or oppression. He (SAAW) commanded the Ummah to safeguard the trust of leadership and authority:
Narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA), the Prophet (SAW) said:
“When authority is entrusted to those unworthy of it, then await the Hour.”
(Sahih Bukhari)
SCHOLARS’ OPNIIONS ON THIS HADITH:
first: Al-Imām Ibn Hajar Al-‘Asqalānī (in Fath al-Bārī):
He said: “al-amr” refers to leadership and authority.
“Ghayru ahlihi” means those who lack Islamic knowledge, ethics, and proper qualification.
He notes that this is a sign of ignorance, injustice, and societal decay, leading to trials, chaos, and the loss of blessings.
Second: Al-Imām an-Nawawī:
He explained this hadith as a sign of the End Times not just the Day of Judgment but also the collapse of justice in society.
Third: Al-Qurtubī:
He stated that when someone without knowledge or integrity is given a great responsibility, it leads to the collapse of legal systems, ethics, and ultimately, societal and spiritual destruction.
From this, thus it is clear that leadership is deeply rooted in ‘Aqīdah. The Ummah must understand this fact founded on the following foundations:
1.Leadership is not just an honorary position, but a heavy responsibility and trust for which one will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment.
2.Appointing unqualified and incompetent individuals to leadership is a betrayal of the Deen and one of the causes of the Ummah’s downfall.
3.It is a duty upon the Ummah to ensure leadership is given only to those who meet the Islamic criteria leadership.
4.It is a sign of destruction when these Islamic principles are ignored, as it contributes to the weakening of the Deen.
ISLAMIC POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE:
1.Governance in Islam is an Obligation:
Islam has set clear conditions for those who qualify for leadership because governance is not merely a title, but a means to protect, propagate, and implement the Deen.
Thus, anyone entrusted with this position must meet the Sharia-based conditions of piety, competence, and the ability to rule with the Qur’an and Sunnah without fear or negligence.
2.Modern rulers represent the reality of this Hadith:
Instead of one unified Islamic leader as required by Islam, we now see many rulers across the Muslim world who have assumed power without Islamic legitimacy:
They do not rule by Islam, serve colonial powers, favor their families, and deny the Ummah its rights.
These are the *“unworthy ones”* the Prophet (SAW) warned us about.
The hadith *“When authority is given to those unworthy of it, await the Hour”* is a clear warning from the Prophet (SAW):
If you abandon Islamic principles in distributing leadership, you are heading for destruction.
It is our duty to return leadership to those qualified according to Qur’an and Sunnah by reestablishing the Khilafah upon the Prophetic method.
The Islamic leader (Khalīfah/Imām or Amīr) must fully implement Islam in society under an Islamic State (Khilafah) and carry the responsibility to spread it globally through Da‘wah and Jihād.
UNDER THIS FOUNDATION, OBEDIENCE TO LEADERS HAS STRICT CONDITIONS:
1.Obedience is only due to a leader who rules by the Islamic system.
Allah says:
“O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you dispute over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result.”
(Surat An-Nisā’, 4:59)
The Prophet (SAW) also said:
“Whoever obeys the leader, obeys me.And whoever disobeys me, disobeys the leader.And if a leader commands righteousness (taqwā), then listen to him and obey.”
(Bukhari and Muslim)
This shows obedience is only due if the leader leads by Islam not a non-Islamic system like democracy, secularism,or socialism.
2.It is harām to obey rulers who govern by non-Islamic laws.
Allah says:
“And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed then they are the disbelievers (kāfirūn).”
(Surat al-Mā’idah, 5:44)
This clearly indicates that rulers who rule by non-Islamic systems are kāfir, fāsiq, or ẓālim, and must not be obeyed.
Obeying them is accepting their kufr, corruption, and injustice something the Sharia absolutely prohibits.
3.Rejecting tyranny is a duty not a choice.
The Prophet (SAW) said:
“The best Jihad is a word of truth spoken in front of a tyrant ruler.”
(Abu Dawud, Tirmidhī)
This proves that not only should we refrain from obeying evil rulers, but we must also oppose their injustice through political, intellectual,and scholarly resistance boldly and without fear.
4.The real solution is to establish the Khilafah Rashidah.
True reform is not patching up secular systems or blindly following evil rulers under the excuse of unity or avoiding fitnah.
Rather,it is about completely uprooting the secular order and reviving the Khilafah upon the Prophetic path through full dedication, political and intellectual da‘wah to the people and the armies.
O Muslims!
According to sound Islamic teachings in political fiqh, leadership, and governance, Muslims are not allowed to obey evil rulers who govern by non-Islamic laws or violate the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Instead, it is fardh upon the Ummah to work politically to remove them and establish the Islamic system of Khilafah following the path of the Prophet (SAW).
We have clear prophetic examples of rejecting obedience to leaders who command what contradicts Islam:
In Sahih al-Bukhari:
Ibn Abbas explained the verse “Obey Allah,obey the Messenger,and those in authority among you” was revealed about ‘Abdullah bin Hudhāfah, whom the Prophet appointed as a leader of an expedition.
When he got angry with his troops, he ordered them to gather wood,lit a fire, and told them to enter it.
They began to prepare to enter, but a wise young man stopped them,saying:
“You fled to the Prophet (SAW) from fire, do not enter until we consult him.”
When they informed the Prophet (SAW),he said:
“Had you entered, you would never have come out. Obedience is only in what is right.”
(Bukhari and Muslim)
Also reported by Abu Dawud and Bukhari, the Prophet (SAW) said:
“Hearing and obeying are obligatory upon a Muslim in matters he likes and dislikes,so long as he is not commanded to commit sin.If he is ordered to sin, there is neither hearing nor obedience.”
From ‘Ubadah bin as-Sāmit:
“We pledged to the Prophet (SAW) to obey in ease and hardship,in things we like and dislike,and not to dispute authority unless we see open kufr with clear proof from Allah.”
(Bukhari and Muslim)
This shows the pain caused by tyrant rulers,who shamelessly commit evil, supported by scholars in name only,who distort Islamic texts to justify obedience to these tyrants completely contradicting the Sunnah of the Prophet and the practice of the righteous companions.
O beloved Muslims!
Indeed,Islam commands obedience to rightful leaders, even in what we personally dislike but this obedience is bound by Sharia conditions:
1.Only if they command good (ma‘rūf):
The Prophet (SAW) said:
“Obedience is only in what is good (ma‘rūf).”
(Bukhari and Muslim)
Even the noble companions questioned Umar bin Khattab (RA) over two garments when others had one each!
How then can we obey today’s evil tyrants who openly display corruption and immorality?
2.It is not permissible to obey in sin:
The Prophet (SAW) said:
“There is no obedience to any creation in disobedience to the Creator.”
(Ahmad, Bukhari)
So if a ruler promotes corruption, oppression,or governs by laws contrary to Islam like the Western-backed puppet rulers in all Muslim lands obedience is forbidden.
Hence, the Prophet (SAW) taught us how to deal with such leaders:
“There will be leaders after me. You will see things you disapprove of. Whoever sees evil, it is not upon him to obey.”
(Sahih Muslim)
It is therefore valid to say “Fala sam‘a wa la ta‘ah” (No hearing and no obedience) to rulers who disobey Allah openly.
In Islamic law, we are not to obey or listen to rulers who disrespect Islam,govern by secular laws, or publicly commit evil.
The obligation is to enjoin right and forbid wrong.To fail in this is to betray Islam itself.
O Muslims!
This sacred trust of leadership, authority,and governance will only be secured when we remove these evil agents from our lands and return this trust to the rightful Khalifah Rashid who is worthy of upholding it.
O beloved Muslims!
Stand with the global movement Hizb ut-Tahrir in fulfilling Allah’s promise:
“Allah has promised those among you who believe and do righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession [khilāfah] in the earth as He granted it to those before them,and that He will surely establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them, and that He will replace their fear with security. They will worship Me and not associate anything with Me. But whoever disbelieves after that they are the rebellious.”
(Surat An-Nūr, 24:55)
And in fulfilling the glad tidings of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), when he said:
The Hadith of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“The children of Israel were governed by the prophets. Every time a prophet passed away, another succeeded him. But there will be no prophet after me. There will be many caliphs.”
They asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what do you command us to do?”
He said: “Fulfill the pledge to the first one (you give bay’ah to), give them their due rights,and ask Allah for what is yours, for indeed Allah will ask them about what they were entrusted with.”
(Agreed upon Bukhari and Muslim)
O beloved Muslims!
Where do you stand?
Are you among those who sacrifice their wealth and efforts to fulfill the covenant of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) and realize the glad tidings of the Messenger (peace be upon him)?
Or are you just a spectator, watching your brothers strive for goodness?
Written by Hussein Muhammad
Member of Hizb ut-Tahrir Kenya