‘Auf b. Malik al-Ashja‘i reported God's Messenger as saying, “Your best imams are those whom you like and who like you, on whom you invoke blessings and who invoke blessings on you; and your worst imams are those whom you hate and who hate you, whom you curse and who curse you.” They asked God's Messenger whether in that event they should not depose them, but he replied, “No, as long as they observe the prayer among you; no, as long as they observe the prayer among you. If anyone has a governor whom he sees doing anything which is an act of disobedience to God, he must disapprove of the disobedience to God which he commits, but must never withdraw from obedience.” Muslim transmitted it.
The Offices of Commander and Qadi
Mishkat al-Masabih 3670 - Commentary by Mishkat al-Masabih
Exposition of the Hadith
This noble hadith establishes fundamental principles regarding leadership in Islam. The best leaders are those who maintain mutual affection and blessings with their people - this indicates righteous leadership that fosters unity and spiritual harmony.
The worst leaders are characterized by mutual animosity and cursing, reflecting tyranny and deviation from Islamic principles. Such rulers create division and spiritual corruption within the community.
Scholarly Interpretation
The prohibition against deposing rulers, even when disliked, is conditional upon their establishment of prayer - meaning they maintain the fundamental pillars of Islam and do not commit open disbelief. This preserves social order while allowing for lawful criticism.
The command to disapprove of disobedience while maintaining obedience demonstrates the balanced approach: reject evil actions but do not rebel against legitimate authority. This prevents anarchy while upholding moral principles.
Legal Implications
Scholars derive from this that rebellion is forbidden as long as rulers maintain basic Islamic practices. The duty is to advise rulers privately and reject their wrong actions, not to overthrow them, unless they commit clear disbelief.
This hadith establishes the principle of "preventing greater evil by tolerating lesser evil" in governance, ensuring community stability while maintaining religious integrity.