Scenario: An officeholder orders an act known to be sinful. Someone argues that preserving order requires unconditional compliance.
مَا لَمْ يَأْمُرُوا بِمَعْصِيَةٍ
So long as they do not command disobedience to Allah.
Governing principle: Respect for lawful authority and public order remains important, but obedience is not due in a command to sin.
Sound application: Refusing the wrongful command does not cancel unrelated lawful responsibilities.
Limit of the conclusion: This principle does not turn every disagreement into a blanket warrant for rebellion or lawlessness.