Ruler – The Governing Body

Some Ahadith are compiled in the article related to working for the governments, state of the governing bodies and the status of just ruler/ruling body.

332 وَ قَالَ ع‏ السُّلْطَانُ وَزَعَةُ اللَّهِ فِي أَرْضِهِ‏

And he^-asws said: ‘The ruler is a distributor of Allah^-azwj in His^-azwj earth’’.[1]

تفسير العياشي عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ الْجَعْفَرِيِّ قَالَ: قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع مَا تَقُولُ فِي أَعْمَالِ السُّلْطَانِ

Tafseer Al Ayyashi – from Suleyman Bin Ja’far Al Ja’fari who said,

‘I said to Abu Al-Hassan Al-Reza^-asws, ‘What are you^-asws saying regarding working for the ruler?’

فَقَالَ يَا سُلَيْمَانُ الدُّخُولُ فِي أَعْمَالِهِمْ وَ الْعَوْنُ لَهُمْ وَ السَّعْيُ فِي حَوَائِجِهِمْ عَدِيلُ الْكُفْرِ وَ النَّظَرُ إِلَيْهِمْ عَلَى الْعَمْدِ مِنَ الْكَبَائِرِ الَّتِي يُسْتَحَقُّ به [بِهَا] النَّارُ.

‘He^-asws said: ‘O Suleyman! The entering into their work, and assisting them, and striving regarding their needs equates to Kufr, and the looking at them deliberately is from the major sins due to which the Fire is deserved’’.^[2]

كِتَابُ الْإِمَامَةِ وَ التَّبْصِرَةِ، عَنْ هَارُونَ بْنِ مُوسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَسْبَاطٍ عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنِ الصَّادِقِ ع عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ آبَائِهِ ع عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ص قَالَ: شَرُّ الْبِقَاعِ دُورُ الْأُمَرَاءِ الَّذِينَ لَا يَقْضُونَ بِالْحَقِّ.

(The book) ‘Al Imamah Wa Al Tabsira’ – from Haroun Bin Musa, from Muhammad Bin Ali, from Muhammad Bin Al Husayn, from Ali Bin Asbat, from Ibn Fazzal,

‘From Al-Sadiq^-asws, from his^-asws father^-asws, from his^-asws forefathers^-asws, from the Prophet^-saww having said: ‘Evilest of the spots is houses of the commanders, those who are not decreeing (commanding) with the truth’’.^[3]

الخصال مع، معاني الأخبار فِيمَا أَوْصَى بِهِ النَّبِيُّ ص أَبَا ذَرٍّ قَالَ: كَانَتْ صُحُفُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ أَمْثَالًا كُلُّهَا وَ كَانَ فِيهَا أَيُّهَا الْمَلِكُ الْمُبْتَلَى الْمَغْرُورُ إِنِّي لَمْ أَبْعَثْكَ لِتَجْمَعَ الدُّنْيَا بَعْضَهَا عَلَى بَعْضٍ وَ لَكِنِّي بَعَثْتُكَ لِتَرُدَّ عَنِّي دَعْوَةَ الْمَظْلُومِ فَإِنِّي لَا أَرُدُّهَا وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ مِنْ كَافِرٍ.

(The books) ‘Al Khisaal’, (and) ‘Ma’any Al Akhbar’ –

‘Among what the Prophet^-saww had bequeathed to Abu Zarr^-ra, he^-saww said: ‘The Parchments of Ibrahim^‑as were parables (legend), all of them, and in it was: ‘O you king, the Tried, the arrogant! I^‑azwj did not Send you to amass the world, some of it upon other, but I^-azwj Sent you to respond to the call of the oppressed on My^-azwj behalf, for I^-azwj do not Reject these, and even if it was from a Kafir!”’^[4]

Helping one’s case with the Governor:

قرب الإسناد عَلِيٌّ عَنْ أَخِيهِ ع قَالَ: مَنْ أَبْلَغَ سُلْطَاناً حَاجَةَ مَنْ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُ إِبْلَاغَهَا أَثْبَتَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَدَمَيْهِ عَلَى الصِّرَاطِ.

(The book) ‘Qurb Al Asnaad’ –

‘Ali, from his brother^-asws (Musa^-asws Bin Ja’far^-asws) having said: ‘One who delivers to a ruler a need of the one not capable of delivering it (himself), Allah^-azwj Mighty and Majestic will Affirm his feet upon the Bridge’’.^[5]

الأمالي للشيخ الطوسي الْمُفِيدُ عَنِ الْجِعَابِيِّ عَنِ ابْنِ عُقْدَةَ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ زَيْدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ عَنْ أَخِيهِ مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ عَنْ آبَائِهِ ع قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‏ أَبْلِغُونِي حَاجَةَ مَنْ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُ إِبْلَاغَ حَاجَتِهِ فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ أَبْلَغَ سُلْطَاناً حَاجَةَ مَنْ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُ إِبْلَاغَهَا ثَبَّتَ اللَّهُ قَدَمَيْهِ عَلَى الصِّرَاطِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.

(The book) ‘Al Amaali’ of the sheykh Al Tusi – Al Mufeed, from Al Jiany, from Ibn Uqdah, from Abdullah Bin Muhammad, from Zayd Bin Ali, from Al Husayn Bin Zayd Bin Ali,

‘From Ali son of Ja’far^-asws, from his brother^-asws Musa Bin Ja’far^-asws, from his^-asws forefathers^‑asws having said: ‘Rasool-Allah^-saww said: ‘Deliver to me the need of one who is not capable of delivering his need, for the one who delivers to a ruler a need of the one who is not capable of delivering it, Allah^-azwj will Affirm his feed upon the Bridge on the Day of Qiyamah’’.^[6]

مُنْيَةُ الْمُرِيدِ، لِلشَّهِيدِ الثَّانِي رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ قَالَ رَوَى مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ بَزِيعٍ وَ هُوَ الثِّقَةُ الصَّدُوقُ عَنِ الرِّضَا ع‏ أَنَّ لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى بِأَبْوَابِ الظَّالِمِينَ مَنْ نَوَّرَ اللَّهُ وَجْهَهُ بِالْبُرْهَانِ وَ مَكَّنَ لَهُ فِي الْبِلَادِ لِيَدْفَعَ بِهِمْ عَنْ أَوْلِيَائِهِ وَ يُصْلِحُ اللَّهُ بِهِ أُمُورَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ لِأَنَّهُ مَلْجَأُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنَ الضَّرَرِ وَ إِلَيْهِ يَفْزَعُ ذُو الْحَاجَةِ مِنْ شِيعَتِنَا-

(The book) ‘Muniyat Al Mureed’ of the second martyr, may Allah^-azwj have Mercy on him, said, ‘It is reported by Muhammad Bin Ismail Bin Bazie, and he was a trusted one of Al Sadouq,

‘From Al-Reza^-asws: ‘For Allah^-azwj the Exalted, at the doors of the oppressors, there is one whom Allah^‑azwj has Irradiated his face with the proof, and Enabled for him in the country for Him^-azwj to Defend His^-azwj friends through them, Allah^-azwj Corrects by it affairs of the Muslims, because he would be a shelter for the Momineen from the harms, and the one from our^-asws Shias with the need can panic to him.

بِهِمْ يُؤْمِنُ اللَّهُ رَوْعَةَ الْمُؤْمِنِ فِي دَارِ الظَّلَمَةِ- أُولئِكَ هُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ حَقًّا أُولَئِكَ أُمَنَاءُ اللَّهِ فِي أَرْضِهِ أُولَئِكَ نُورُ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى فِي رَعِيَّتِهِمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَ يَزْهَرُ نُورُهُمْ لِأَهْلِ السَّمَاوَاتِ كَمَا تَزْهَرُ الْكَوَاكِبُ الزَّهْرِيَّةُ لِأَهْلِ الْأَرْضِ أُولَئِكَ مِنْ نُورِهِمْ نُورُ الْقِيَامَةِ تُضِي‏ءُ مِنْهُمُ الْقِيَامَةُ

Through them, Allah^-azwj Secures the dread of the Momin in the house of oppressors. Those, they are the Momineen truly. They are trustees of Allah^-azwj in His^-azwj earth. They are Noor of Allah^-azwj the Exalted among their citizens on the Day of Qiyamah, and their Noor will shine for people of the skies just as the stars shine for people of the earth. They, from their Noor is Noor of the Qiyamah. The Qiyamah will be illuminated by them.

خُلِقُوا وَ اللَّهِ لِلْجَنَّةِ وَ خُلِقَتِ الْجَنَّةُ لَهُمْ فَهَنِيئاً لَهُمْ مَا عَلَى أَحَدِكُمْ أَنْ لَوْ شَاءَ لَنَالَ هَذَا كُلَّهُ

By Allah^-azwj! They have been Created for the Paradise and the Paradise has been Created for them. So congratulations to them! What is upon one of you, if he so desires, he can achieve this, all of it?’

قَالَ قُلْتُ بِمَا ذَا جَعَلَنِيَ اللَّهُ فِدَاكَ لَهُمْ

He (the narrator) said, ‘I said, ‘With what will that be for them? May I be sacrificed for you^‑asws!’

قَالَ يَكُونُ مَعَهُمْ فَيَسُرُّنَا بِإِدْخَالِ السُّرُورِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ شِيعَتِنَا فَكُنْ مِنْهُمْ يَا مُحَمَّدُ.

He^-asws said: ‘He can be with them. He can gladden us^-asws by entering the gladness upon the Momineen from our^-asws Shias. So be from them, O Muhammad!’’^[7]

Supporting an unjust ruler:

الأمالي للصدوق فِي مَنَاهِي النَّبِيِّ ص قَالَ: مَنْ مَدَحَ سُلْطَاناً جَائِراً وَ تَخَفَّفَ وَ تَضَعْضَعَ لَهُ طَمَعاً فِيهِ كَانَ قَرِينَهُ إِلَى النَّارِ.

(The book) ‘Al Amaali’ of Al Sadouq –

‘Among prohibitions by the Prophet^-saww having said: ‘One who praises a tyrannical ruler (authority) and he lightens and humbles to him out of greed regarding him, would be his pair to the Fire’’.^[8]

وَ قَالَ ص‏ مَنْ دَلَّ جَائِراً عَلَى جَوْرٍ كَانَ قَرِينَ هَامَانَ فِي جَهَنَّمَ.

And he^-saww said: ‘One who supports a tyrant upon a tyranny would be a pair of Haman^-la in Hell’’.^[9]

وَ قَالَ ص‏ مَنْ تَوَلَّى خُصُومَةَ ظَالِمٍ أَوْ أَعَانَ عَلَيْهَا ثُمَّ نَزَلَ بِهِ مَلَكُ الْمَوْتِ قَالَ لَهُ أَبْشِرْ بِلَعْنَةِ اللَّهِ وَ نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ‏ وَ بِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ.

And he^-saww said: ‘One who is in charge of a dispute of an oppressor or assists upon it (whichever way), then the Angel of death descends with him, will say to him: ‘Receive news of Curse of Allah^-azwj and Fire of Hell, and it is the evil destination” [2:126]’’.^[10]

وَ نَهَى ص عَنْ إِجَابَةِ الْفَاسِقِينَ إِلَى طَعَامِهِمْ.

And he^-saww prohibited from answering the mischief-makers to their banquets’’.^[11]

المجالس للمفيد ما، الأمالي للشيخ الطوسي فِيمَا أَوْصَى بِهِ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عِنْدَ وَفَاتِهِ‏ أَحِبَّ الصَّالِحَ لِصَلَاحِهِ وَ دَارِ الْفَاسِقَ عَنْ دِينِكَ وَ أَبْغِضْهُ بِقَلْبِكَ‏.

(The book) ‘Al Majalis’ of Al Mufeed, (and) ‘Al Amaali’ of the sheykh Al Tusi –

‘Among what Amir Al-Momineen^-asws bequeathed with at his^-asws expiry: ‘Love the righteous for his righteousness, and turn away the mischief-maker from your religion’s (sake) and hate him with your heart’’.^[12]

وَ مَنْ أَحَبَّ بَقَاءَ الظَّالِمِينَ فَقَدْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُعْصَى اللَّهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى حَمِدَ نَفْسَهُ عَلَى هَلَاكِ الظَّلَمَةِ فَقَالَ‏ فَقُطِعَ دابِرُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ‏.

And one who loves the oppressors to remain (alive), so he loves for him to disobey Allah^-azwj. Allah^-azwj Blessed and Exalted Praised Himself^-azwj upon destruction of the oppressors. He^-azwj Said: So the roots of the people were cut off, those who were unjust, and the Praise is for Allah Lord of the worlds [6:45]’’.^[13]

ثواب الأعمال أَبِي عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ الْعَطَّارِ عَنِ الْبَرْقِيِّ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِي نَهْشَلٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ: مَنْ عَذَرَ ظَالِماً بِظُلْمِهِ سَلَّطَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ‏ مَنْ يَظْلِمُهُ فَإِنْ دَعَا لَمْ يُسْتَجَبْ لَهُ وَ لَمْ يَأْجُرْهُ اللَّهُ عَلَى ظُلَامَتِهِ.

(The book) ‘Sawaab Al Amaal’ – My father, from Muhammad Al Attar, from Al Barqy, from his father, from Abu Nahshal, from Abdullah Bin Sinan,

‘From Abu Abdullah^-asws having said: ‘One who offers excuses for an oppressor for his injustice, Allah^‑azwj will Cause someone to prevail over him oppressing him. If he were to supplicates it will not be Answered for him, and Allah^-azwj will not Reward him upon his grievances’’.^[14]

ثواب الأعمال أَبِي عَنْ سَعْدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‏ مَنْ أَعَانَ ظَالِماً عَلَى مَظْلُومٍ لَمْ يَزَلِ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَيْهِ سَاخِطاً حَتَّى يَنْزِعَ عَنْ مَعُونَتِهِ‏.

(The book) ‘Sawaab Al Amaal’ – My father, from Sa’ad, from Muhammad Bin Isa, from Ibn Mahboub, from Abdullah Bin Sinan who said,

‘I heard Abu Abdullah^-asws said: ‘One who supports an oppressor against an oppressed, Allah^‑azwj Mighty and Majestic will not cease to be Wrathful upon him until he removes himself from supporting him’’.^[15]

Status of the just ruler:

وَ إِنَّ السُّلْطَانَ الْعَادِلَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْوَالِدِ الرَّحِيمِ فَأَحِبُّوا لَهُ مَا تُحِبُّونَ لِأَنْفُسِكُمْ وَ اكْرَهُوا لَهُ مَا تَكْرَهُونَ لِأَنْفُسِكُمْ‏.

And the just ruler is at the status of the merciful father, therefore love for him what you are loving for yourself and dislike for him what you are disliking for yourselves’’ (an extract).^[16]

الأمالي للصدوق الْهَمَدَانِيُّ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ مُوسَى عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ جَدِّهِ مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ ع أَنَّهُ قَالَ لِشِيعَتِهِ‏ يَا مَعْشَرَ الشِّيعَةِ لَا تُذِلُّوا رِقَابَكُمْ بِتَرْكِ طَاعَةِ سُلْطَانِكُمْ فَإِنْ كَانَ عَادِلًا فَاسْأَلُوا اللَّهَ إِبْقَاءَهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ جَائِراً فَاسْأَلُوا اللَّهَ إِصْلَاحَهُ فَإِنَّ صَلَاحَكُمْ فِي صَلَاحِ سُلْطَانِكُمْ

(The book) ‘Al Amaali’ of Al Sadouq – Al Hamadany, from Ali, from his father, from Musa Bin Ismail Bin Musa, from his father,

‘From his grandfather^-asws Musa^-asws Bin Ja’far^-asws having said to his^-asws Shias: ‘O community of Shias! Do not disgrace your necks by leaving the obedience of your rulers. If he were just, ask Allah^-azwj for his remaining (alive), and if he were a tyrant, ask Allah^-azwj to Correct him, for your correction is the correction of your rulers.

وَ إِنَّ السُّلْطَانَ الْعَادِلَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْوَالِدِ الرَّحِيمِ فَأَحِبُّوا لَهُ مَا تُحِبُّونَ لِأَنْفُسِكُمْ وَ اكْرَهُوا لَهُ مَا تَكْرَهُونَ لِأَنْفُسِكُمْ‏.

And the just ruler is at the status of the merciful father, therefore love for him what you are loving for yourself and dislike for him what you are disliking for yourselves’’.^[17]

How to best deal with the ruler/government

فَإِنْ نَفْسُكَ أَبَتْ إِلَّا حُبَّ الدُّنْيَا وَ قُرْبَ السُّلْطَانِ فَخَالَفَتْكَ إِلَى مَا نَهَيْتُكَ عَنْهُ مِمَّا فِيهِ رُشْدُكَ فَامْلِكْ عَلَيْهِ لِسَانَكَ فَإِنَّهُ لَا ثِقَةَ لِلْمُلُوكِ عِنْدَ الْغَضَبِ فَلَا تَسْأَلْ عَنْ أَخْبَارِهِمْ وَ لَا تَنْطِقْ بِأَسْرَارِهِمْ وَ لَا تَدْخُلْ فِيمَا بَيْنَهُمْ وَ فِي الصَّمْتِ السَّلَامَةُ مِنَ النَّدَامَةِ وَ تَلَافِيكَ مَا فَرَطَ مِنْ صَمْتِكَ أَيْسَرُ مِنْ إِدْرَاكِ فَائِدَةِ مَا فَاتَ مِنْ مَنْطِقِكَ

(Amir ul-Momineen^-asws said in a lengthy Hadith): If your soul were to refuse except loving the world and drawing closer to the ruler, then it will oppose you to what I^-asws am forbidding you from, what there is rightful guidance for you, therefore control your tongue upon it for there is not trusting of the kings during the anger, therefore neither ask about their news not speak with their secrets and do not enter into what is between them, and in the silence there is safety from the remorse, and your avoiding what is missed from your silence is easier than your realising benefit of what is missed from your speaking (An extract).[18]

When Allah^-azwj Wants something He^-azwj Makes tyrant(s) senseless so he does what he had disliked

قَالَ ع‏ إِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ أَمْراً سَلَبَ الْعِبَادَ عُقُولَهُمْ فَأَنْفَذَ أَمْرَهُ وَ تَمَّتْ إِرَادَتُهُ فَإِذَا أَنْفَذَ أَمْرَهُ رَدَّ إِلَى كُلِّ ذِي عَقْلٍ عَقْلَهُ فَيَقُولُ كَيْفَ ذَا وَ مِنْ أَيْنَ ذَا.

And he^-asws (8^th Imam) said: ‘When Allah^-azwj Wants a matter, He^-azwj Strips the servants of their intellects. He^-azwj Implements His^-azwj Command and Completes what He^-azwj Wants. When He^-azwj has Implemented His^-azwj Command, He^-azwj Returns to everyone with intellect, his intellect, so he says, ‘How can that be so? And from where is that?’’^[19]

[1] Nahj Al Balagah – Saying 332

[2] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 71 – The book of relationships – Ch 82 H 25

[3] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 71 – The book of relationships – Ch 82 H 52

[4] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 71 – The book of relationships – Ch 84 H 1

[5] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 71 – The book of relationships – Ch 84 H 2

[6] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 71 – The book of relationships – Ch 84 H 3

[7] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 71 – The book of relationships – Ch 82 H 49

[8] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 71 – The book of relationships – Ch 82 H 3 a

[9] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 71 – The book of relationships – Ch 82 H 3 c

[10] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 71 – The book of relationships – Ch 82 H 3 d

[11] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 71 – The book of relationships – Ch 82 H 3 e

[12] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 71 – The book of relationships – Ch 82 H 4

[13] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 71 – The book of relationships – Ch 82 H 6

[14] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 71 – The book of relationships – Ch 82 H 21

[15] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 71 – The book of relationships – Ch 82 H 22

[16] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 71 – The book of relationships – Ch 82 H 2

[17] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 71 – The book of relationships – Ch 82 H 2

[18] Bihar ul-Anwaar, vol. 74

[19] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 75 – The book ‘Al Rawza’ – Ch 26 H 1 / 7