for rebelling against them causes greater injustice and corruption than their own injustice. Their injustice must therefore be patiently endured, just as, when enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, one must often patiently endure the injustice of those being commanded or forbidden. Thus Allah says:

“Enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and patiently endure whatever befalls you.”

And He says:

“So be patient, as were the messengers of firm resolve.”

And He says:

“And patiently await your Lord’s judgment, for you are under Our watchful eyes.”

This applies equally to rulers and their subjects when they enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. They must patiently endure whatever befalls them for Allah’s sake, just as those who strive in His cause patiently endure harm to themselves and their property. Patiently enduring affronts to one’s honour is therefore all the more incumbent. This is because the benefit of enjoining right and forbidding wrong cannot be fully achieved otherwise, and whatever is indispensable to fulfilling an obligation is itself obligatory. Rulers are included in this: they are required to show a degree of patience and forbearance not required of others, just as they are required to show a degree of courage and generosity not required of others, because the benefits of governance cannot be fully achieved otherwise.

Just as rulers must patiently endure the harm and injustice inflicted by their subjects when the public interest cannot otherwise be secured, since failing to do so would lead to even greater corruption, so too must subjects patiently endure their rulers’ oppression and injustice if failing to be patient does not entail a greater harm. Both ruler and subject owe the other rights that each must fulfil, some of which he mentioned in the “Book of Jihad and Adjudication.” Each must also be patient with the other and show forbearance