The Prophet Muhammad A simple Guide to his Life
The Policy of the Prophet
~ 107 ~
For instance, Huzaifa, a companion of the Prophet
has been recorded as saying that the Prophet said,
‘‘In later times perversion will set in in the rulers
whose bodies will appear to be those of human
beings, while their hearts will be those of Satans.”
Huzaifa then asked the Prophet what they were
supposed to do at such times. The Prophet replied,
“You must pay heed to your ruler and obey him.
Even if you are flogged on your back, and your
wealth is taken away from you, you must hear and
obey him.”
(
Sahih Muslim, 12/238)
Let us make a comparative study of these two
traditions. In the first Hadith we are encouraged to
perform
jihad
against the tyrant ruler, whereas in
the second Hadith we are strictly forbidden to do
so. The reason for this difference is that the first
Hadith relates to verbal advice while the second
Hadith relates to
practical confrontation.
According to the Hadith, verbal advice is a
desirable act, while practical confrontation is a
totally undesirable act.
