194 – Eleventh ḥadīth: Abu Saʿid al-Khudrī (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) said, “The finest form of jihād is to speak a word of justice in the presence of a tyrannical ruler.” Recorded by Abū Dāwūd and al-Tirmidhī, who declared it ḥasan (sound).

[Explanation]
The author—may Allah have mercy on him—relates the report from Abu Saʿid al-Khudrī (may Allah be pleased with him) in which the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) said, “The finest form of jihād is to speak a word of justice before an oppressive ruler.”

A ruler is surrounded by two kinds of advisers: an evil entourage and a righteous entourage.

The evil entourage observes whatever the ruler desires, then embellishes it for him, saying, “This is the truth; this is excellent. You have acted well and brought benefit,” even when—Allah forbid—it may be the most wicked of deeds. They do this out of flattery toward rulers and for the sake of worldly gain.

The righteous entourage, by contrast, seeks only what pleases Allah and His Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him) and directs the ruler to it. That is the commendable entourage.

To voice falsehood in the presence of a tyrannical ruler—Allah protect us—is the very opposite of jihād. It occurs when a speaker gauges what the ruler wants, then articulates it in his presence and decorates it for him.

Uttering a word of truth before an oppressive ruler is therefore among the greatest forms of jihād. The Prophet said, “before….”