“Obey Allah, obey the Messenger, and those in authority among you.” [al-Nisā’: 59] Thus He, exalted is He, linked obedience to Himself with obedience to His Messenger, peace be upon him, and to those of His servants vested with authority. The Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him, said: “Whoever obeys me has obeyed Allah, and whoever disobeys me has disobeyed Allah. Whoever obeys the commander I appoint has obeyed me, and whoever disobeys him has disobeyed me.”

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Whoever disobeys a ruler, a judge, or an arbiter in a rightful command or a just ruling has disobeyed Allah and His Messenger and transgressed His bounds. If, however, he rules unjustly or commands what is not right, obedience to him is not obligatory, for the Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him, said: “There is no obedience to a created being in disobedience to the Creator.” The exception is when one fears that opposing him would lead to turmoil or disorder; in that case, obedience to him becomes obligatory in all circumstances.

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Judging justly between people is among the finest deeds of righteousness and earns the highest degrees of reward. He, exalted is He, says:

“If you judge, then judge between them justly. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.” [al-Mā’idah: 42]

The Messenger of Allah, blessings and peace be upon him, said: “Those who are just will be on pulpits of light on the Day of Resurrection, to the right of the Most Merciful—and both His hands are right hands.”

He, blessings and peace be upon him, also said: “There are seven whom Allah will shade in His shade on the day when there is no shade but His.” He began by mentioning the just ruler. Allah’s shade in this hadith means His mercy and His Paradise.