Umm Salama reported God’s Messenger as saying, “You will have commanders some of whom you will approve and some of whom you will disapprove. He who expresses disapproval is guiltless and he who feels disapproval is safe, but he who is pleased and follows them ...” His hearers interrupted, “Shall we not fight with them?” but he replied, “No, as long as they pray; no, as long as they pray.” It means one who feels disapproval in his heart and expresses disapproval in his heart. Muslim transmitted it.
The Offices of Commander and Qadi
A commentary on the hadith from Mishkat al-Masabih 3671 by Imam Mishkat al-Masabih
Textual Analysis
The noble hadith transmitted by Umm Salama establishes crucial principles regarding Muslim interaction with rulers. The Prophet ﷺ categorizes rulers into two types: those whose conduct meets approval and those whose actions warrant disapproval.
The phrase "you will approve and disapprove" indicates that evaluation of rulers is inevitable and necessary, based on their adherence to Islamic principles.
Three Levels of Response
First: Expressing disapproval verbally while maintaining capability - this person is "guiltless" (bari') from sin as they fulfill their duty of enjoining good and forbidding evil.
Second: Feeling disapproval in the heart without verbal expression - this person remains "safe" (salim) from sin, preserving their faith through internal rejection of wrong.
Third: Pleasure and following corrupt rulers - the hadith deliberately leaves this consequence unstated, indicating severe spiritual danger requiring reflection.
Conditions for Obedience
The Companions' question about fighting reflects their zeal for righteousness. The Prophet's response establishes the fundamental principle: obedience remains obligatory as long as rulers maintain the prayer.
"No, as long as they pray" repeated for emphasis, indicates that establishing salah represents the minimum threshold of Islamic legitimacy. This preserves community unity while allowing for internal criticism and reform.
Scholarly Interpretation
Classical scholars interpret "prayer" as maintaining the outward form of Islam, not necessarily personal piety. The prohibition against rebellion applies even to sinful rulers unless they commit clear disbelief.
The hadith balances two essential principles: the obligation to oppose wrongdoing while maintaining political stability and avoiding civil strife (fitna). Heartfelt disapproval preserves individual accountability without necessitating violent confrontation.