188 – Sixth narration: It is related from the Mother of the Believers, Umm Salamah, Hind bint Abī Umayyah Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with both of them), that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Leaders will be appointed over you. You will see from them things you recognise as right and things you denounce. Whoever loathes (their wrongdoing) is absolved, and whoever speaks out against it is safe, but whoever is pleased with it and follows them is guilty.” They asked, “Messenger of Allah, shall we not fight them?” He replied, “No, so long as they establish the prayer among you.” Reported by Muslim.

Meaning: Anyone who detests their misdeeds in his heart but is unable to correct them with hand or tongue is free of sin and has discharged his duty. Whoever rebukes them according to his capacity is safe from this offence, whereas the one who approves of their actions and supports them is the sinner.

[Explanation]
In this hadith, which the author cites, the Prophet ﷺ informs us that “leaders will be appointed over you”—that is, governors placed over the community by the supreme ruler who holds the pledge of allegiance. “You will recognise and denounce” means they will fail to uphold Allah’s limits and will not remain steadfast upon His commands; you will observe deeds you approve of and deeds you reject. They are still governors appointed by the authority who possesses the bayʿah. “Whoever loathes is absolved, and whoever rebukes is safe, but whoever is pleased and follows them” will perish together with them. The Companions then asked, “Shall we not fight them?” He replied, “No, so long as they establish the prayer among you.”

This shows that if we witness from the rulers conduct we disapprove of, we must hate it and censure them. If they become rightly guided, the benefit is for us and for them; if they refuse, the reward is ours while the account rests upon them.