as ordained by Allah, and prophetic signs, which neither ruler nor ruled can do without. It was requested by one of those in authority whom Allah has commanded us to counsel sincerely. As the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said in a report authentically transmitted through several routes in Sahīh Muslim and elsewhere:
“Allah is pleased with three things for you: that you worship Him without associating anything with Him; that you hold firmly, all together, to the rope of Allah and do not become divided; and that you offer sincere counsel to those whom Allah has placed in authority over you.”
This treatise is based on two verses in the Book of Allah, namely His words, Exalted is He:
“Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to those to whom they are due and, when you judge between people, to judge with justice. Excellent indeed is what Allah admonishes you to do. Indeed, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing.”
“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 better and best in outcome.”
The scholars said:
The first verse was revealed concerning those in authority: they must render trusts to those to whom they are due and judge justly when judging between people. The second was revealed concerning their subjects, soldiers and others: they must obey those in authority who fulfill these duties in their distributions, judgments, military campaigns, and other affairs, unless they command disobedience to Allah. If they command disobedience to Allah, no created being may be obeyed in disobedience to the Creator. If they disagree over anything, they must refer it to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Even if those in authority fail to fulfill these duties, they are to be obeyed in whatever they command that constitutes obedience to Allah and His Messenger, for that is part of obedience to Allah