- The other possible meaning is that he dies the death of Jāhiliyya because, in the era of pre-Islamic ignorance, people had no imam and no amir; they merely had chieftains and tribal leaders without the binding authority that Islam enjoins. Accordingly, such a person is deemed to have died a pagan death.
In sum, we must listen to and obey those in authority except in a single circumstance: if they command us to disobey the Creator, we may not obey them. If they were to say, “Shave your beards,” we would reply, “No hearing and no obedience.” If they were to say, “Let your garments or trousers hang below the ankles,” we would again say, “No hearing and no obedience,” for that is sinful. If they said, “Do not establish the prayer in congregation,” we would respond, “No hearing and no obedience.” If they said, “Do not fast Ramadan,” we would likewise say, “No hearing and no obedience.” In any matter involving disobedience we do not comply with them, whatever the cost; but if they order something that is not sinful, obedience is obligatory.
Second: It is impermissible for us to challenge or rebel against the rulers.
Third: It is impermissible for us to speak before the general public in ways that kindle resentment toward the rulers and breed hatred of them, for that causes great harm. A person might imagine he is acting out of zeal and “proclaiming the truth,” yet proclaiming the truth is not done from behind a curtain. Proclaiming the truth means standing before the ruler himself and saying, “You did such-and-such, and that is not allowed; you neglected such-and-such, and that is obligatory.”
To revile the ruler and publicize his faults from behind a veil is not speaking the truth; it is corruption. It inflames hearts, fosters hatred for the rulers, leads people to defy them, and may ultimately result in something even worse: revolting against them and tearing up the pledge of allegiance—Allah’s refuge is sought.