al-Fawzân about al-’Arifi’s view of the injustice of the leader

al-Fawzân about al-’Arifi’s view of the injustice of the leader

Scholar: ´Allâmah Sâlih bin Fawzân al-Fawzân
Source: http://www.sahab.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=128956
Reference: Darulhadith.com
http://aFatwa.com

What was said by al-’Arifi:

Host: How do we combine between the command of the prophet (sallâ Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to hear and obey the leader even if he flogs your back and takes your property1 and what the people are doing today? al-’Arifi: “There is of course a difference if the ruler attacks one individual. Muslim reports that the prophet (sallâ Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Hear and obey even if he flogs your back and takes your property.” This is regarding if the ruler attacks one individual that he has a problem with. Otherwise the ruler is good. But in this case he comes to one person and flogs his back and takes his property. It should be said to this person not to rise up and incite towards rebellion or rebel with armor against him. For the disadvantage of this deed is greater than him having flogged you. Look whether you can take your money from him in a different way. What we are speaking of is if the ruler takes money from the entire population. 1: “…You should hear and obey the ruler, even if he flogs your back and takes your wealth, then still hear and obey.”” [Reported by Muslim (Eng. trans. 3/1029/no.4554).]

Shaykh al-Fawzân’s statement regarding this explanation of the Hadîth:

Question: What do you say about the one who says that the Hadîth [regarding that one should] hear and obey if one were to be flogged only applies to the just ruler who attacks one individual….

Shaykh al-Fawzân: That is his own understanding. I have heard him myself. It is his own understanding. He should not explain the speech of the messenger (sallâ Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in that way. This person follows his desire and wants to interpret the words of the messenger in accordance with his desire and lust. It is not allowed. He puts words into the messenger’s (sallâ Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) mouth. It is very dangerous.