وَلَا نَرَى الْخُرُوجَ عَلَى أَئِمَّتِنَا وَوُلَاةِ أُمُورِنَا وَإِنْ جَارُوا وَلَا نَدْعُو عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا نَنْزِعُ يَدًا مِنْ طَاعَتِهِمْ
We do not regard rebellion against our leaders and authorities as right, even if they act unjustly. Nor do we pray against them or withdraw obedience from them in lawful matters.
Claim under examination: One view says that a ruler’s wrongdoing invalidates every command; another says every command must be obeyed even when it entails disobedience to Allah.
What the text establishes: The principle preserves communal order and obedience in what is right. Alongside it stands the rule that there is no obedience in disobedience to Allah; neither principle is cancelled.
What does not follow: Turning ordinary political obedience into permission for every sin, or treating personal wrongdoing as the cancellation of all lawful obedience, are both unwarranted.
Application: Distinguish commands that are right from those that require sin.