Question:
You mentioned in your speech regarding Salafism. The question is: if there is a man who outwardly appears to follow the Salaf, his creed (’aqidah) is sound, and he possesses many good deeds, yet he contradicts the Salaf in the methodology of dealing with the ruler—does he [then] exit the fold of Salafism and is he to be declared an innovator (a mubtadi’)?
Answer:
There is no doubt that the manhaj (methodology) of the Salaf is to be patient with the harm of the rulers, to supplicate for them, and to establish the Friday and Eid prayers with them. As Sheikhul-Islam [Ibn Taymiyyah], may Allah have mercy on him, stated in Al-Aqidah al-Wasitiyyah: ‘Among the ways of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah is performing the Friday prayers, the Eids, the Hajj, and Jihad with the leaders—whether they are righteous or wicked.’
Just as Imam Ahmad and other Imams used to treat the leaders according to what the situation required: by praying for them, asking for guidance for them, and not broadcasting their faults in front of the people. For remaining silent about a mistake is an error, and publicizing the mistake is [also] an error. The correct way is between this and that, as it is with all things; it is the middle path, and the middle path is best : “And those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes).” (al-Quran, Furqan 25:67)
As for the issue of whether he exits Salafism or not, that is a different matter. The point here is that the methodology of the Salaf is to have patience with the leaders, to supplicate for them, to avoid inciting the people against them, and to keep matters calm. In fact, the Messenger ﷺ said: ‘Hear and obey, even if your back is struck and your wealth is taken.’ (hadith)
Regarding this specific issue mentioned in the question: this man has [indeed] deviated from the methodology of the Salaf in his treatment of the rulers. However, he may still be upon the methodology of the Salaf in other aspects.
Furthermore, this particular issue [of rebelling or inciting against rulers] is among the most dangerous of matters—for the general public, for the rulers themselves, and for everyone involved. For when the hearts of the people are filled with hatred for the rulers, they become corrupted; they begin to rebel against the ruler’s commands and oppose him. They view his good deeds as evil, and they publicize the bad deeds while hiding the good ones. If, in addition to that, the status of the scholars is undermined, the Religion itself is corrupted.
People rebelling against the leaders/rulers is a disruption of security, and people rebelling against the scholars is the corruption of the Shariah. Because if people do not trust their scholars regarding the Shariah of Allah, then whom will they trust? The ignorant?! Or will every individual follow their own whims and issue their own fatwas? This is simply not sustainable.