Praying for the Muslim Ruler

It is reported that Al-Fudayl b. ‘Ayyâd – Allâh have mercy on him – said, “If I had one supplication that was going to be answered I would make it for the ruler (imâm), for the wellbeing and righteousness of the imâm means wellbeing for the land and its people.”

Al-Dhahabî, Siyar A’lâm Al-Nubalâ` in his biography of Al-Fudayl b. ‘Ayyâd.

Points to note

Wanting good for the Muslim rulers and supplicating to Allâh for them features as an important aspect of the creed of Ahl Al-Sunnah wa Al-Jamâah, and distinguishes them from the extremist ideology of the Khawârij sect. This has been recorded in the classical works of Sunni ‘aqîdah, for example:

Al-Barbahârî (Sharh Al-Sunnah p113, 114) states, “If you see a man supplicating against the ruler, know that he is a heretic (sahib hawâ), and if you see a man supplicating for the ruler, know that he is a Sunni – inshâ Allâh.”

Al-Imâm Al-Âjurrî (d360H) states (Al-Sharî’ah Vol.1 p371), “I have mentioned warnings against the ways of the Khawârij that convey the message for everyone who Allâh protects against the ways of the Khawârij, and who does not hold the views of the Khawârij, but is [instead] patient over the injustice of the rulers … and who prays for the wellbeing and righteousness of the rulers, and who does Hajj and Jihâd behind the rulers against every enemy of the Muslims, and who prays the Jumu’ah and ‘Eid prayers behind the rulers. Whoever fits this description is upon the Straight Path – inshâ Allâh.”

Related posts:

  1. Umar b. Abd Al-Aziz on the Way of the Believers
  2. The Sunnah v. what people do
  3. The Sunni Sinner and the Devout Heretic
  4. Rejected Sunnah vs Beautified Opinion
  5. Deviation is in Leaving the Sunnah

November 24, 2008 - الاثنين 26 ذو القعدة 1429

Topics: 'Aqîdah, Affairs of the Ummah, Bid'ah, Sunnah

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