their fasting, and his own recitation slight beside their recitation; they recite the Qur’an yet it does not pass beyond their throats. They shoot out of Islam as an arrow passes clean through its prey. Whenever you encounter them, kill them, for killing them brings a reward from Allah to the one who kills them on the Day of Resurrection. 1

The Prophet — blessings and peace be upon him — also commanded obedience to the ruler even if he were an Abyssinian slave. In Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim it is related that the Prophet said: “Listen and obey, even if an Abyssinian slave whose head is like a raisin is placed in authority over you.” 2

Abū Dharr reported: “My intimate friend advised me: ‘Listen and obey, even if the ruler is an Abyssinian with maimed limbs.’” 3

And al-Bukhārī records 4: “Even if he is an Abyssinian whose head is like a raisin.” 5