Ibn ‘Uthaymîn shuts the door to misused Takfîr upon the rulers

Ibn ‘Uthaymîn shuts the door

to misused Takfîr upon the rulers

Scholar: Imâm Muhammad bin Sâlih bin ´Uthaymîn

Source: Liqâ’ al-Bâb al-Maftûh (78 A)
Reference: Darulhadith.com
www.aFatwa.com

Question: What is the ruling on the ruler who rules by something other than that which Allâh has revealed while he at the same time considers it to be obligatory to rule by that which Allâh has revealed?

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymîn: It is not an easy matter. It is not possible to give a general ruling. If one were to give a general ruling, then some people will misunderstand it. If the ruler does something, which according to this person opposes the book of Allâh, then he will say that he (the ruler) is a disbeliever. This is exactly what some of the groups of today do when they make Takfîr [exclude someone from the religion] upon the rulers because they say that they have not ruled by that which Allâh has revealed. However, they have not studied the matter.

That is why I deem it better to shut the door to this issue. It is better to shut the door to this issue so that people don’t misunderstand the scholar who issues the Fatwâ and take advantage of it in order to revolt against the rulers of their countries. As you yourself know, this matter is a great matter.

The scholars (rahimahullâh) have spoken about this matter in relation to the relevant verses in chapter al-Mâ’idah. You can always refer to the words of the scholars in this matter.