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And if the ruler commands you to do something that constitutes disobedience to Allah, you must not obey him at all; yet you may neither rise up against him nor withhold from him what is his due.
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Remaining neutral in times of fitnah (civil strife) is an established sunnah whose observance is obligatory (1). If you are tested, then offer yourself—and your wealth (2)—before sacrificing your religion. Do not (3) aid the fitnah (4) by hand or tongue; rather, restrain your hand, your tongue, and your desire. Allah is the One who helps (5).
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Refrain from pronouncing judgment on the People of the Qiblah: do not (6) declare anyone among them an unbeliever because of a sin, nor expel him (7) from Islam on account of any deed—unless an authentic hadith establishes otherwise, in which case the hadith is reported exactly as it has come.
(1) Al-Ajurri states in al-Shariʿa, 1/392-393: “Tribulations take many forms. Great trials have already occurred: some people survived them, others perished because they followed their whims and preferred worldly gain. When Allah intends good for someone, He opens for him the door of supplication, makes him seek refuge in his generous Master, instils fear for his religion, guards his tongue, makes him aware of his own era, keeps him attached to the clear proof and the sawad al-aʿzam (the main body of Muslims), prevents him from changing colours in his religion, and moves him to worship his Lord. Thus he avoids plunging into turmoil, for tribulation exposes many people.”
(2) Absent from manuscripts T and H.
(3) Reading adopted from T and H. Manuscript Q has “do not specify,” but the adopted wording is preferable.
(4) Manuscript T reads: “concerning a tribulation.”
(5) Reading taken from T and H. Manuscript Q has al-muftan; this is likely a scribal error, so the adopted wording is retained.
(6) Manuscript T reads: “and do not declare disbelief,” while H has: “so we do not declare disbelief.”
(7) Manuscript H adds: “we expel him.”