Umar on obeying the Muslim Ruler

Suwayd b. Ghaflah reports that ‘Umar b. Al-Khattâb – Allâh be pleased with him – once took him by the hand and said:

O Abû Umayah, by Allâh, I know not if we will meet again after today. Fear and obey Allâh your Lord until the Day of Resurrection, as if you see Him, and obey the ruler (imâm) even if he is a cut-nosed Abyssinian slave: if he beats you, be patient; if he robs you, be patient and if he belittles you, be patient. And if he tells you [to do something] to the detriment of your religion (to sin), say: “I hear and obey, [but] my blood goes before my religion.” Never leave the Main Muslim Body (Al-Jamâ’ah).

Ibn Zanjawayh, Kitâb Al-Amwâl article 30; Ibn Abî Zamanîn, Usûl Al-Sunnah article 205 with a slight variation in wording. Also recorded in other collections.

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July 8, 2010 - الخميس 28 رجب 1431

Topics: Affairs of the Ummah, patience, sins

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2 Responses to “Umar on obeying the Muslim Ruler”

  1. Abu Kanaaz on July 9, 2010 - الجمعة 29 رجب 1431 19:03

    Barakallaahu Feekum my dear brother in Islaam, I thank Allaah and then you for bringing us to this well, Maashaa Allaah. The above hadith is clear to me except the end, it seems to be worded in a way that leads me believe that one should obey the ruler even if one is asked to commit a sin, can you please shed some light on this so that my misconception is removed? Barakallaahu Feekum.

  2. owaisalhashimi intensedebate.com on July 10, 2010 - السبت 30 رجب 1431 07:44

    Wa feekum baarak. That part of the quote means a person should not obey the ruler if told to do sin: 'my blood goes before my religion' means I would rather come to harm than compromise my religion. "I hear and obey' means I will still be obedient to the ruler in matters not involving sin. I hoped the '[but]' between the phrases would help.
    I hope this clarifies the meaning.
    Jazakumullahu khayran.