Tajdeed

Replies to the Proofs Presented by Those Who Prohibit Fighting Against the Tyrant

Bismillah

Regarding the proof from the Qur’ān that they use, they say that the verse {O you who believe, obey Allah, obey the Messenger and those who hold authority among you} (Q. 4:59) proves that one is obligated to obey Muslim rulers—just or unjust. They relate this opinion on the authority of many exegetes amongst the salaf.
We reply by saying that the verse does not imply what our opponents presuppose. We say that this verse is general and refers to those who have authority amongst the Muslims.

However, we say that once the ruler violates the laws of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny, this order is revoked. This is evident from the following sentence in the same verse: {…If you disagree over anything, refer back to Allah and His Messenger if you believe in Allah and the Last Day}.

This is elucidated by the narration in Asbāb an-Nuzūl in which this verse was said to be revealed concerning a quarrel between Ammār bin Yāsir and the general of a military expedition, Khālid bin al-Walīd. Ammār was reported to have given protection to someone without the permission of his general, Khālid.
They took their dispute to the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny, who gave the man protection. Then, this verse was said to be revealed.

This indicates that the charge to obey those in authority must be predicated upon their adherence to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny.

Also, it is evident from the hadīths such as ((…there is no obedience to the one who disobeys Allah)); obedience to {those who hold authority among you} is prohibited if they are in disobedience to Allah and His Messenger.

In his Al-Kashshāf, Imam az-Zamakhshari says regarding this verse:
What is meant is “righteous rulers” and not tyrannical rulers. If
Allah and His Messenger are free of them, then they will not be
conjoined with Allah and His Messenger in that obedience to them
is obligatory!”

Reference: THE ESTABLISHMENT OF CLEAR EXPOSITION: A COMMENTARY ON AL-HĀDI’S “THE FUNDAMENTALS OF THE RELIGION”, P.216-217, Imam Rassi Society