- You must possess a proof from Allah—that is, clear and decisive evidence that what the ruler has done is disbelief. If the proof is weak in its transmission or equivocal in its meaning, it is unlawful to rise up against him, for rebellion unleashes enormous evil and widespread harm.
Even when such kufr is witnessed, it is still impermissible to challenge the ruler unless we have the ability to remove him. Should we lack that ability, rebellion is prohibited; for if we were to confront him while powerless, he might wipe out the remaining righteous elements and consolidate his grip entirely.
These four conditions, then, are the conditions that make revolt either lawful or—when all are met—obligatory; yet even then the obligation is contingent on capability. If capability is absent, uprising is forbidden, for that would be throwing oneself to destruction. What benefit would there be in rising against a ruler whose manifest kufr is crystal-clear to us, when all we can muster is a kitchen knife while he commands tanks and machine guns? There is no benefit at all; it would simply be collective suicide. Certainly we must employ every legitimate stratagem to bring an end to him and to his rule, but only under the four conditions the Prophet ﷺ laid down: “that you see open, manifest disbelief for which you have from Allah a clear proof.”
This hadith demonstrates the deference owed to those in authority and that the people must obey them in ease and hardship, in what they relish and what they dislike, and even when the rulers appropriate things for themselves. Still, one may ask: What are the people’s rights over their rulers?
The people’s right over those in authority is that the rulers act justly, fear Allah with regard to them, refrain from burdening them, and appoint over them no one when they know of someone better suited. For the Prophet ﷺ said, “O Allah, whichever person is placed in charge of any affair of my community and then makes things hard for them, then make things hard for him…”