the Muslims, while their rectitude brings benefit to themselves and to the Muslims.1

Imam Ibn Batta al-ʿUkbarī said: “We are now going to set forth an explanation of the Sunnah—its definition, its very essence, and the matters which, when a servant clings to them and worships Allah through them, earn him the name of ‘a follower of the Sunnah’ and the right to be counted among its people; and the matters which, when a person opposes them, even in part, place him among those whom we have denounced, mentioned, and warned against from the people of innovation and deviation. On this exposition the scholars of Islam and the entire ummah have been in unanimous agreement from the time Allah sent His Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, until our present day.”

After listing a number of these fundamentals he added:

“Then, after that, one must refrain and remain seated during times of turmoil, and one must not rise with the sword against the rulers—even if they act unjustly.

ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (may Allah be pleased with him) said: ‘If he wrongs you, be patient; and if he deprives you, be patient.’

And the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to Abū Dharr: ‘Be patient, even if he is an Abyssinian slave.’2