Almighty Allah the Exalted says: Oh those who believe obey Allah, obey the messenger and those who hold authority amongst you. (Nisa-59) From this blessed ayah obedience to Ulil Amar meaning those in authority becomes obligatory.Messenger of Allah SallAllah-u-Alaihi-Wa-Sallam said: Whoever obeys the Ameer he obeys me and whoever disobeys the Ameer he disobeys me. (Sahih Muslim Kitab ul Emiraate Vol. 2 pg 126) From this hadith it is known that every Ameer’s obedience is obligatory. Messenger of Allah SallAllah-u-Alaihi-Wa-Sallam said: Whoever dislikes something of the Ameer then he should be patient as whoever separates the size of a palm from the sultan then his death would be of Jahiliyya. (Sahih Bukhari Kitab ul Fiten Vol. 9 pg 59 and Sahih Muslim Kitab ul Emiraate Vol.2 pg134) Sultan means proof, evidence, authority and power. Allah the Exalted says: And I sent Moosa with my signs and clear proof. (Hud-96) Allah the Exalted says: And whoever is unjustly killed then we give his kin authorisation (that he take revenge) (Bani Israel-33) Allah the Exalted says: Oh groups of Jinns and Humans if you can exit the corners of the land and skies then do so (but) you can’t exit without power. (ArRehman-33) In the above hadith’s first part the word is Ameer and in the second part the word is sultan which is used for Ameer. Ameer due to his post in emirate has a kind of a power and as his order is the last say for his subordinates that is why he is called sultan. A King is called sultan as well as he has power in his hand and his say is the last for the subordinates. Hence every Ameer’s obedience is obligatory and separation from his obedience even the size of a palm is prohibited. Because of the Ameer there is organization in the Jamaat and power grows in the organization. If the Ameer is not obeyed then power would gradually leave the organization.
Ameer is the centre of power in the Jamaat and because of his centrality he himself is a power and sultan. Prophet, SallAllah-u-Alaihi-Wa-Sallam said: Whoever sees something distasteful in his Ameer then he should be patient as whoever separates the size of a palm from the Jamaat and (in the same condition) dies then his death would be the death of Jahiliyya. (Sahih Bukhari Kitab ul Fiten Vol. 9 pg 56) In the first part of this hadith the word Ameer is there and in the second part the word Jamaat is used meaning leaving the Ameer is leaving the Jamaat. Ebada bin Sabit says: The Prophet called us then took baiyah from us. He took the baiyah from us on the following: To listen and obey (Ameer’s order), in pleasure or displeasure, in hardships and easiness and when given preference and (we also took baiyah on) that not to quarrel with the Ameer in his authority except when you see (him doing) open kufr and (to prove his kufr) you have from Allah clear proof. (Sahih Bukhari Kitab ul Fiten Vol. 9 pg 59 and Sahih Muslim Kitab ul Emiraate Vol. 2 pg 132) Messenger of Allah SallAllah-u-Alaihi-Wa-Sallam said: Listen and obey (Ameer’s order) even if an Ethiopian slave is made (Ameer) on you whose head is (the size of) a raisin. (Sahih Bukhari Kitab ul Ehkaam Vol. 9 pg78) Messenger of Allah SallAllah-u-Alaihi-Wa-Sallam said: Listening and obeying (the Ameer’ order) is compulsory on a Muslim whether he likes it or dislikes it (the order) (with the condition) that he isn’t ordered to sin. (Sahih Bukhari Kitab ul Ehkaam Vol. 9 pg 78 and Sahih Muslim Kitab ul Emiraate Vol. 2 pg 131) From this hadith it is known that Ameer’s obedience is obligatory with one condition that Ameer doesn’t order to sin.
For obedience to the Ameer there is no condition for a government in the hadith. Abdullah bin Omar says: When we use to do our baiyah with the messenger SallAllah-u-Alaihi-Wa-Sallam on listening and obeying he use to say to us: “As much as you can”. (Sahih Bukhari Kitab ul Ehkaam Vol. 9 pg 96 and Sahih Muslim Kitab ul Emiraate, Vol. 2 pg 146) Jareer says: I did baiyah with the messenger SallAllah-u-Alaihi-Wa-Sallam on listening and obeying (the order) so he taught me (to say) As much as I can (will listen and obey). (Sahih Bukhari Kitab ul Ehkaam Vol. 9 pg 96) From these ahadith the importance of Ameer’s obedience is clear. Baiyah use to be taken on Ameer’s obedience. Abu Zar says: Messenger of Allah (SallAllah-u-Alaihi-Wa-Sallam) said: Abu Zar, I find that you are weak and I like for you what I like for myself. Don’t become Ameer of Jamaat ven over two persons. (Sahih Muslim Kitab ul Emiraate Vol. 2 pg 124) There can be only two forms for becoming Ameer over two persons: 1. The Khalifah appoints someone as Ameer over two people i.e. Ameer of Jamaat Delegation. 2. In the absence of the Khalifah two persons appoint over themselves someone as Ameer i.e. Ameer of Jamaat or Ameer in travelling. In both conditions to make one specific is without proof. In the second form the Ameer of the two persons wouldn’t have any government or army but still his obedience would be obligatory. If it is not obligatory then what is the duty from which it is being warned. Messenger of Allah SallAllah-u-Alaihi-Wa-Sallam said: It is obligatory for you to listen to the ruler and obey him in adversity and prosperity, in pleasure and displeasure, and even when another person is given (undue) preference over you. (Sahih Muslim Kitab ul Emiraate Vol. 2 pg 130) 12) Messenger of Allah SallAllah-u-Alaihi-Wa-Sallam said: If a slave who doesn’t have a nose (such a slave) is appointed Ameer over you and he leads you according to the Book of Allah then listen and obey (to his orders) (Sahih Muslim Kitab ul Emiraate Vol. 2 pg 131).
There can be two forms in making a slave an Ameer: 1. Any Khalifah appoints any slave as Ameer i.e. Local Ameer or Ameer of troops etc. 2. With advice people make someone Ameer themselves i.e. Khalifah or Ameer of Jamaat; in both forms the obedience of the slave would be obligatory. Abu Zar said: My friend (Prophet SallAllah-u-Alaihi-Wa-Sallam) advised me to listen (Ameer’s order) and obey even if he were a maimed slave. (Sahih Muslim Kitab ul Emiraate Vol. 2 pg 131) Messenger of Allah SallAllah-u-Alaihi-Wa-Sallam said: Whoever leaves from the obedience (of the Ameer) and separates from the Jamaat (dies in that state) would die the death of Jahiliyya (Sahih Muslim Kitab ul Emiraate Vol. 2 pg 135) Messenger of Allah SallAllah-u-Alaihi-Wa-Sallam said: One who withdraws his hand from obedience (to the Ameer) will find no excuse when he meets Allah on the Day of Judgement, and one who dies without having bound himself by baiyah (of the Ameer) would die the death of Jahiliyya.
(Sahih Muslim Kitab ul Emiraate Vol. 2 pg 136) Prophet Muhammad SallAllah-u Alaihi-Wa-Sallam said: The heart of a true believer doesn’t deceive in three things: I. Performing righteous deeds for Allah alone, II. Obeying the Ameer, III. And sticking to Jamaat ul Muslimeen. (Al-Hakim narrated by Jubair bin Mutaim, Sanad is Sahih – Mustadrak Vol. 1 pg 87) Prophet Muhammad SallAllah-u-Alaihi-Wa-Sallam said:Whoever separates a size of a palm from the Jamaat he takes off the rope of Islam from his neck till he returns (again towards the Jamaat). (Al-Hakim narrated by Abdullah bin Amr, Sanad is Sahih – Mustadrak Vol. 1 pg 77) 18) Prophet Muhammad SallAllah-u-Alaihi-Wa-Sallam said: I command you to do five things which Allah has commanded me (to propagate): 1) To listen (Ameer ‘s order), 2) To Obey, 3) To do Jihad, 4) To migrate, 5) Jamaat (staying attached with it) as whoever separates the size of a palm from the Jamaat he separates the rope of Islam from his neck except for that he returns (towards the Jamaat). (Tirmizi in Abwaab ul Amsaal narrated by Al Haris ul Ashari, declared Sahih– Vol. 2 pg 296) Prophet Muhammad SallAllah-u-Alaihi-Wa-Sallam said: Necessarily adhere to the Jamaat, escape from separating as Shaitan is with one person, and distances him self from two. (Tirmizi in Abwaab ul Fiten and declared Sahih Vol. 2 pg 96) This hadith is general for all times, there is no time period fixed for it.
When Jamaat doesn’t have any government, would it be allowed to separate and make Shaitan your companion? Never; so hence separation from Jamaat isn’t allowed. To adhere to the Jamaat is compulsory and that is possible when adhering to the Ameer. Prophet Muhammad SallAllah-u-Alaihi-Wa-Sallam said: Whoever leaves Jamaat and humiliates the Emiraate such a person will meet Allah in a condition that he wouldn’t have any argument (meaning he would meet with no excuse which will be accepted by Allah). (Al-Hakim, Sanad is Sahih – Mustadrak Vol. 1 pg 119) In the mentioned ahadith 1. Stress is laid on Obedience to the Ameer; there isn’t any condition of government with the Ameer. 2. Stress is laid on adhering to the Jamaat. Adhering to the Jamaat is possible when adhering to the Ameer and to Adhering to the Ameer is possible by obeying him. Imam Jamaat and Ameer Jamaat have similar meaning. Prophet Muhammad SallAllah-u-Alaihi-Wa-Sallam said: Beware everyone of you is a ruler and will be questioned regarding his subjects: The Imam of the people is a ruler and will be questioned regarding his subjects; a man is the ruler of his family and will be questioned regarding his family; a woman is the ruler of her husband’s family and children and will be questioned regarding it; and the slave of a man is a ruler of his master’s property and will be questioned regarding it. Surely, every one of you is a ruler and will be questioned regarding his subjects. (Sahih Bukhari Kitab ul Ehkaam Vol. 9 pg 77).
The word “RAEN” is used in this hadith, its meaning is: I. [Translation] This word is Ism e Faail and it means all those people who are governing any people and in use it means such a person who regarding affairs of politics considers compulsory and practitioner of it who in has ability to maintain administration. (Muhit ul Muhit Qamoos Mutawal lul Lughat ul Arabia pg 341) II.[Translation] Whoever governs any people like Aalim, king, chief or Rich. (Al Munjid fi Lughat Wal Adab Wa Aloom pg 268) III [Translation] Governor or Ameer. (Muntahi al Aarab fi Lughat ul Arab). Hence from the above it is proven that the correct translation of “RAEN” is ruler. Prophet Muhammad Sall Allah-u-Alaihi-Wa-Sallam said: Don’t ask regarding three persons (that what will happen to them): One who leaves the Jamaat, disobeys his Imam and dies in that condition, second that person slave or slave girl who runs away and (dies in that condition), third that woman whose husband is not present with her and has fulfilled her worldly needs and then she after him leaving shows her body ‘s looks (hence) don’t ask (that what will happen to them) (Musand Imam Ahmad and Mustadrak Hakim and Sanad is Sahih. Mustadrak Vol. 1 pg 119 and Wa Hijab ul Miraat ul Muslima lil Albani pg 54) Prophet Muhammad SallAllah-u-Alaihi-Wa-Sallam when mentioning the period of turmoil says: (in that period) People will invite as if they are standing on the door of hell and inviting to enter it. They will throw into it all such persons as whoever will accept their invitation. Hudhaifa (RadiAllahu Tala Anho) said: What should I do, if I find that moment? Prophet Muhammad SallAllah-u-Alaihi-Wa-Sallam said: Stick to Jamaat-ul-Muslimeen and its Imam (Ameer) (Sahih Bukhari Kitab ul Fiten Vol. 9 pg 65 and Sahih Muslim Kitab ul Emiraate Vol. 2 pg 135). From this hadith it is known that in the period of turmoil there won’t be any Islamic government as how can deviated propagators remain in the presence of an Islamic government.
Further more the period of an Islamic government is a period of good not turmoil. Adhering to Jamaat ul Muslimeen means remaining in the Jamaat. To adhere to the Imam means that we obey the Imam, not take away our hand from his obedience. To adhere to the Imam can only mean to obey him and nothing else. Prophet Muhammad SallAllah-u-Alaihi-Wa-Sallam said: Whoever dies in the condition that he doesn’t have the Imam Jamaat upon him dies the death of Jahiliyya. (Al Hakim, Sanad is Sahih. Mustadrak Vol. 1 pg 117) From this hadith it is known that a Muslim should die in a condition that he is under an Imam. In the all ahadith mentioned there is no condition for obedience to the Imam of a government. So whatever kind of Imam he should be obeyed. For “Ameer’s obedience” and “Imam Jamaat …” the ahadith narrated clearly state that there is no difference between an Ameer and Imam. Both these words are used in exchange for each other. “Ameer” is a related attribute; its derivative is Imarah which means: “Having authority”. In related attribute the derivative meaning’s evidence and compulsion is considered, hence in the meaning of Ameer “To be the one with authority” the attribute is proven and it is compulsory meaning attached with its former. This attribute “To be the one in authority” can never be separated from the Ameer. It is not possible that a person be called Ameer but isn’t “With authority”. In all cases the Ameer would be with authority and his command would always be accepted. If a person isn’t with the attribute “Having Authority” then such a person can be called Amar till he isn’t doing anything relating to commanding but can’t be called Ameer. Imam means that person who is followed whether he is a chief or someone else (Muheet ul Muheet pg 16). The following is in his orders and sayings as well. Allah the Exalted says regarding the following of orders: This is a blessed book which we revealed so hence follow it. (Al Anaam-155) Actions are generally followed and for it evidence isn’t necessary. On Obedience of an Ameer without a Government, Messenger of Allah SallAllah-u-Alaihi-Wa-Sallam said: When three people leave for a journey then they should appoint an Ameer amongst themselves. (Abu Dawood Kitab ul Jihad) From this hadith the following is proven: 1. In travelling also don’t be without an Ameer, 2. The Ameer in travelling doesn’t have any government and the Khalifah doesn’t appoint him rather according to the hadith the travellers appoint the Ameer themselves, 3. The purpose for appointing an Ameer cant be other then for obeying him and 4. Such an Ameer’s obedience is necessary who doesn’t have any government. To conclude, The Messenger of Allah SallAllah-u-Alaihi-Wa-Sallam doesn’t like that in a small period of time the travellers should remain without an Ameer so how is it possible that he would like that in the city the Muslim population is residing permanently without an Ameer. If in a small period of travelling the presence of an Ameer is important then the Ameer’s presence in long period of residing is more important and since the obedience of the Ameer in travelling without a government is necessary so the obedience of the Ameer Jamaat without a government is also necessary. Islam permits to go against the person who in the name Islam is misleading people or gives wrong judgements as we see our paid muftis doing in Kashmir. There futwaas are not valid as they are working for money only. For rebelling against the ruler, the view adopted by Ahl As-Sunnah Wa Al-Jamaa‘ah is that it is not permissible to do so except if he displays manifest disbelief. ‘Ubadah ibn As-Samit narrated: “The Prophet , called us and we gave him the pledge of allegiance for Islam, and among the conditions on which he took the pledge from us was that we were to listen and obey (the orders) both at the time when we were active and at the time when we were tired, and at our difficult time and at our ease, and to be obedient to the ruler, (and even) when somebody is given preference over us, and not to fight against the ruler unless we see manifest disbelief for which we have evidence on his part ” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] .
(The author an Associate Professor at S K University of Agriculture Sciences & Technology-SKUAST Srinagar writes on Islamic topics exclusively for “Kashmir Horizon”. His views are personal)