Download PDF: [S] Speak the truth in front of an Oppressive Ruler

The Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – has stated that, “The best of Jihad is to speak the truth in front of an oppressive ruler”.

 

There are also many examples of this behaviour among the eminent ‘Ulama as well. When we look at the example below, we will be able to clearly see this amazing quality displayed by a certain scholar. We can safely state that they placed their neck on a sword and spoke the truth without any fear or favour.

 

It is mentioned that once, the Sultan of his era, Khalifah Mehdi, visited Madina Shareef after performing the Hajj. When he entered the blessed Masjid, at that moment, the eminent scholar Imamul Muhaddith, ibn Abi Zahb – may Allah be pleased with him – was teaching people. The entire Masjid was also filled with people. When people saw the Khalifah, many of them stood up in respect except for the great scholar. Someone mentioned to him to get up because the Khalifah was in the Masjid.

 

However the great scholar was not moved by this command and bravely declared that one only stands up for the Allah Almighty. When the advisor of the Khalifah heard this reply, even the Khalifah himself was awe-struck. He severely reprimanded his advisor and informed him, “O Musaayib, for the sake of Allah Almighty do not tell him anything because when I heard his words, I felt extreme fear and awe.”

 

In like manner, once while Khalifah Mansur was in the Haram Shareef, he called the great Imam forward. At that time the Khalifah also had his two trusted guards with him. One of them had a sword in his hand and the other had a whip. The Khalifah then asked the great Imam what his opinion was about Hasan bin Zaid. He replied, “He is a person of justice.”

 

The Khalifah then asked him on three occasions about himself and the great Imam replied, “I swear by the Divine Owner of this Blessed House that there is no doubt that you are an oppressor.”

 

When the guards of the Khalifah heard this, they wanted to severely punish the great scholar. However, so impressed was the Khalifah with the brave words of this eminent scholar that he mentioned to his guards, “O the son of an impure female! Do not even touch him, there is no doubt that in the Hijaz, this is the most pious of people.” (Taarike Baghdad)

 

There is no doubt that both of them, Mehdi and Mansur, were considered as oppressive rulers of their era. For them to kill anyone in a split of a second was like killing a fly or ant. However, in the presence of these great scholars, they felt awe and fear and could not display their own power. At the same time, these brave Islamic scholars did not display any fear for these oppressive rulers even though they knew that they could be killed at any moment. This clearly proves that those who become for Allah Almighty, Allah Almighty becomes for them. Hence, the tables were turned and that these rulers merely stood and watched these scholars because they also understood that these people were the true leaders of Islam. Such is the blessing of obeying the laws of Islam and the Hadith Shareef which we have mentioned. When leaders are able to enact these words, then no power on earth can create fear in them.