Last year has been a tough time for many Arab Muslims as they had to go through lots of changes. Many of them had lost faith in their leadership and their dissatisfaction with the living conditions had reached such a degree that they took to the streets to publicly voice their demands. This is something Muslims should not take for granted. Obeying the ones who are rulers is an obligation from Allah towards the Muslim Ummah. “Obey Allah and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you.” (Qur'an, 4:59) Of course this applies if the authority is executed in an Islamic way and is not tyrannical. It seems that the majority of the population did not believe in the Islamic motives of their rulers anymore and felt wronged in their guaranteed rights according to Shariah, and that's why resorted to the street protests to demand justice. “Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and helping relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.” (Qur'an,16:90) It was important to speak up against injustice, oppression and tyranny than to maintain a superficial state of harmony, based on suffering of the people. “Let there arise from you a nation inviting to good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful.” (Qur'an, 3:104) “The right course has become distinct from the wrong. So whoever disbelievers in tyranny (taghut) and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it.” (Qur'an, 2:256) The pictures we watch on TV of public disorder in some countries are very disturbing. The public life is at a standstill, and the economy is getting affected, too. Some Muslims in these countries prefer to be silent and support their leaders for the sake of law and order, and to ensure an uninterrupted public life. However, this is something debateable; removing one evil should not result in a bigger evil, an Islamic maxim in dealing with those situations, but life is not always peaceful and necessary changes are not always for free. “And certainly We shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient.” (Qur'an, 2:155) Following those who oppress a country might result into a superficial comfortable life, especially for those who align themselves with the system. Claiming that we are too weak, that we cannot change anything might be an excuse for our conscience, but the effect on one's situation on Judgment Day might be graver than what we think! Allah mentions in the Noble Qur'an about the ones who claim to be too weak to change anything and did not argue with unjust rulers, kings or governors, they followed and supported them by ignoring and tolerating their evil deeds and behavior. “And they will come out for judgment before Allah all together, the weak will say to those who were arrogant, ‘Indeed, we were your followers, so can you avail us anything against the punishment of Allah?' They will say, “If Allah had guided us, we would have guided you. It is all the same for us whether we show intolerance or are patient: there is for us no place of escape.” (Qur'an, 14:21) The arrogant are the ones who rejected truth and guidance, in order to gain power over other human beings and countries. The weak are the ones who gave up their birthright Allah bestowed on them, their personal freedom of thought and belief and who made themselves followers of the arrogant and false leaders. They preferred being slaves of other humans rather than being the slaves of Allah. At the end all of them will share the same fate, and their final destiny will be hellfire. Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) was one of the very first Muslims who understood this when he withstood the torture at the hands of the Quraish. He understood that there is no power except Allah's and that paradise is not for free. [email protected] __
