And it is said:

“Sixty years under an unjust ruler are better than a single night without a ruler.”

Experience bears this out. For this reason, the early generations—such as al-Fudayl ibn ʿIyād, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, and others—used to say: “If we had one supplication guaranteed to be answered, we would offer it for the ruler.”

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Allah is pleased with three things for you: that you worship Him without associating anything with Him, that you hold firmly together to the rope of Allah and do not become divided, and that you offer sincere counsel to those whom Allah has placed in charge of your affairs.”

Narrated by Muslim.

He also said:

“Three things keep a Muslim’s heart free of treachery: doing deeds sincerely for Allah, offering sincere counsel to those in authority, and remaining with the Muslim community, for their call encompasses them from behind.”

Narrated by the compilers of the Sunan.

It is also authentically reported that he said:

“Religion is sincerity. Religion is sincerity. Religion is sincerity.”

They asked, “Towards whom, O Messenger of Allah?”

He replied, “Towards Allah, His Book, His Messenger, the leaders of the Muslims, and their common people.”

It is therefore obligatory to regard holding authority as a religious responsibility and a means of drawing near to Allah. Drawing near to Him in this role through obedience to Him and His Messenger is among the finest acts of devotion. Most people become corrupt in this role only because they use it to pursue power or wealth.

Kaʿb ibn Mālik narrated that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Two hungry wolves let loose in a sheepfold are no more destructive to it than a person’s eagerness for wealth and prestige is to his religion.”

Al-Tirmidhī said: “A good and authentic hadith.” He thus explained that a person’s eagerness for wealth and power