The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "A Muslim has to listen to and obey (the order of his ruler) whether he likes it or not, as long as his orders involve not one in disobedience (to Allah), but if an act of disobedience (to Allah) is imposed one should not listen to it or obey it. (See Hadith No. 203, Vol. 4)
Judgments (Ahkaam) - Sahih al-Bukhari 7144
This narration establishes the fundamental principle of obedience to Muslim rulers while simultaneously delineating its boundaries. The command to "listen and obey" serves as a foundation for societal order and unity, preventing the chaos that arises from rebellion against legitimate authority.
Conditions of Obedience
The obligation to obey is not absolute but conditional. The phrase "whether he likes it or not" indicates that personal preference or dislike of the ruler does not nullify this obligation. However, the critical limitation follows immediately: obedience is only required in matters that do not involve disobedience to Allah (maʿsiyah).
The Boundary of Disobedience to Allah
When the ruler commands something that constitutes clear disobedience to Allah's established commandments, the Muslim is prohibited from both listening to and obeying such commands. This establishes that ultimate allegiance belongs to Allah, and temporal authority is subordinate to divine law.
Scholarly Interpretation
Classical scholars clarify that "disobedience to Allah" refers to matters that are unequivocally prohibited in Islamic law. This principle does not extend to matters of legitimate scholarly disagreement (ikhtilaf) or personal preference. The hadith balances the necessity of political stability with the preservation of religious integrity.