Chapter on Rebellion and Rising Up against the Ruler

I asked, “What is your ruling on a man who undertakes al-amr bi-l-maʿrūf wa-n-nahy ʿan al-munkar (enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong), others follow him in that, and he eventually breaks away from the main body of Muslims—do you deem this lawful?”

He replied, “No.”

I said, “Why not, when Allah the Exalted and His Messenger have commanded enjoining right and forbidding wrong, and this is an obligatory duty?”

He answered, “That is true, but the harm they cause is greater than the good they achieve—shedding blood, violating sanctities, and looting people’s property. Allah the Exalted has said: ‘If two groups of the believers fight each other, then make peace between them; but if one of them transgresses against the other, then fight the one that transgresses until it returns to Allah’s command’ (Surah al-Hujurāt 49:9).”

I asked, “So do we fight the transgressing faction with the sword?”

He said, “Yes: first you command and forbid; if they comply, well and good. If they refuse, then fight them and side with the just party, even if the ruler himself is unjust, because of the Prophet’s statement—peace and blessings be upon him—‘The wrongdoing of one who wrongs you will not harm you, nor the justice of one who is just benefit you; yours is your reward, and upon him is his burden.’”

I then said to him