—only commands on the basis of revelation: the Sacred Law that Allah ordained for him and for his community. Thus, whenever he issues a command, it is in fact Allah’s command; whoever obeys him obeys Allah, and whoever disobeys him disobeys Allah.

In the same way, when a person obeys the ruler he has obeyed the Messenger, because the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—repeatedly instructed us to obey those in authority. He said, “Obey him even if he lashes your back and seizes your property,” and he said, “Listen and obey even if an Abyssinian slave whose head looks like a raisin is placed over you.” He also said, “A Muslim must listen and obey in hardship and in ease, in enthusiasm and in reluctance.”

There are many hadiths to this effect. The Prophet commanded obedience to the ruler; therefore, when you obey the ruler you obey the Messenger, and when you obey the Messenger you obey Allah.

This hadith, together with the preceding ones and others not cited by the author, all prove that obedience to the authorities is obligatory—except when they order disobedience to Allah. Such obedience brings about benefit, safety, stability, the absence of chaos, and protection from following mere whims. If, however, the people disobey their leaders in matters where obedience is required, disorder erupts: each person becomes infatuated with his own opinion, security vanishes, and society is corrupted.