No obedience in matters involving disobedience to Allah


Question:

Is it permissible for a true believer to commit some minor sins to please a ruler or some people, or does he have to strictly follow the Book of Allah and the Sunnah?

Answer:

A believer should abandon such sins, and follow the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace be upon him). This is an established fact. They should neither obey the ruler nor anyone else in what leads to the disobedience of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Truly, obedience is only in what is good. 1

He (peace be upon him) also said, “There is no obedience to a creature in matters involving disobedience to the Creator.” 2

  1. Al-Bukhari, Fath-ul-Bary, nos. 4340, 7145, and 7257; Muslim, Sahih [Sharh Al-Nawawi], vol. 12, p. 226; Abu Dawud, no. 2625; and Al-Nasa’i, Al-Mujtaba, vol. 7, p. 159. ↩

  2. Imam Ahmad, and the wording is his, vol. 1, p. 49 and vol. 5, p. 66; Al-Bukhari, Fath-ul-Bari, no. 7144; Muslim, Sahih [Sharh Al-Nawawi], vol. 12, p. 226; and Al-Tirmidhi, no. 1707; Abu Dawud, no. 2626; and Al-Nasa’i, Al-Mujtaba, vol. 7, p. 160. ↩

May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet, his family and Companions