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.

More:

  1. No poverty after Paradise and no wealth in the Fire
  2. Imam Ahmad on Rebelling against Rulers
  3. Praying for the Muslim Ruler
  4. Lowering the Gaze
  5. Praise be to Allâh for this Calamity
  6. Mind your own business
  7. The Curse of Sin

July 8, 2010

Topics: Affairs of the Ummah, patience, sins

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5 Responses to “Umar on obeying the Muslim Ruler”

  1. Abu Kanaaz on July 9, 2010 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 on July 10, 2010 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.

  3. abu ibraheem on May 22, 2011 14:04

    Assalaamu alaykum akhi, is this narration verified to be authentic, id like to know before i pass it on, baarakAllahufeekum

  4. Owais Al-Hashimi on May 22, 2011 18:04

    Wa alaykumus-salam,It would be good to have a more complete answer for you brother Abu Ibraheem, but all I can say at this point is Dr Abdullah Al-Bukhari graded this narration Sahih in his edition of Asl Al-Sunnah of Ibn Zamaneen pp279, 280.I intended to look into this further, and your question here has reminded me about this narration. Jazakallahu khayra.

  5. abu ibraheem on May 23, 2011 10:54

    May Allah reward you akhi, thats sufficient for me, baarakAllahu feekum for all your efforts.