“Whoever obeys the commander has obeyed me, and whoever disobeys the commander has disobeyed me.” (1)

Accordingly, it is not permissible to revolt against them—even if they are sinful—because the pledge of allegiance has been concluded and their authority is established. Rising up against them, even when they are sinners, unleashes grave evils: splitting the community, fracturing its unity, undermining security, and enabling the unbelievers to dominate the Muslims.

Shaykh al-Islām, may Allah have mercy on him, said, “No people ever rebelled against their ruler without finding their situation after the revolt worse than it had been before,” or words to that effect.

The same holds true even for non-Muslims: when they depose their ruler and rise against him, their security collapses, blood is shed, and they find no stability—something plainly evident in the revolutions recorded by history. How much greater, then, is the harm of rebelling against the ruler of the Muslims?

Thus, it is unlawful to rise up against the leaders, even if they are sinful, so long as they have not abandoned the religion. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Listen and obey, unless you see manifest unbelief for which you possess from Allah a clear proof.” (2)

Therefore, immorality and acts of disobedience do not justify rebellion against them—contrary to the Khārijites and the Muʿtazilah, who hold that revolt is warranted whenever the rulers commit sins.