and finds Allah there, who will settle his account in full. And Allah is swift in reckoning.”

He also says:

“And We will turn to whatever deeds they did and make them scattered dust.”

In His Book, Allah has commanded obedience to Himself, obedience to His Messenger, and obedience to those in authority among the believers. As the Most High says:

“O you who believe, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. If you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is best and most excellent in outcome.”

Those in authority are those who possess the authority to command: they are the ones who give people commands. This applies both to people of power and authority and to people of knowledge and discourse. Thus, those in authority fall into two categories: scholars and rulers. When they are upright, the people are upright; and when they are corrupt, the people are corrupt. Thus, when the woman from Ahmas asked Abū Bakr al-Siddīq, may Allah be pleased with him, “How long will we remain upon this way?” he replied, “As long as your leaders remain upright.”

They include kings, shaykhs, and administrative officials. Everyone who is followed is among those in authority. Each of them must command what Allah has commanded and forbid what He has forbidden. Everyone obliged to obey any of them must obey him in obedience to Allah, but must not obey him in disobedience to Allah. Thus, when Abū Bakr al-Siddīq, may Allah be pleased with him, assumed leadership of the Muslims and addressed them, he said in his sermon:

“O people, the strong among you are weak in my eyes until I exact from them what is rightfully due;