The Speech of Shaykh Muqbil about revolutions and uprisings – Taken from his book ‘Nasaaih Wa Fadaaih’ -[1]
An Exclusive Translation for Sisters Upon Al-Istiqaamah
Shaykh Muqbil Ibn Haadi (rahimahullah) was asked a question about the meaning of the saying of some (about the Salafees) ‘ You have spoken about shirk-ul-quboor (shirk of the graves) and you have abandoned shirk-ul-qusoor (shirk of the palaces [of the rulers])’. After explaining about the shirk of the graves, the Shaykh said: “As for shirk-ul-qusoor (shirk of the palaces), then the greatest of the people in rebuking it are Ahlus-Sunnah. And that which is intended by shirk-ul-qusoor is those rulers who judge by other than what Allah has revealed, for indeed, Allah, The Mighty and The Majestic says in His noble Book:
“Do they then seek the judgement of (the days of) ignorance? And who is better in judgement than Allah for a people who have firm faith.” (Al-Maa'idah, 50)
“Or do they have partners who have legislated for them a religion which Allah has not allowed?” (Ash-Shoorah, 21)
And He, free is He from all imperfection, The Most High, says:
“And whosoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed, then those are the disbelievers.” (Al-Maa'idah, 44).[2]
As for uprisings and revolutions against the rulers who are in the Islamic lands, then this is not the way of rectification. And the way of rectification is teaching the Muslims the Book of their Lord and the Sunnah of their Prophet and teaching them the biography of the Prophet (sallalahu alaihi wa ‘alaa aalihi wa sallam) and the biography of his companions and how they had patience with the poverty, not having (enough) clothes, leaving their homelands and the infectious diseases which befell them in Al-Madeenah after they emigrated. Therefore, it is imperative that we nurture the people in being close (to the way) of the companions, and I do not think that we are able to do that (in its entirety) but at least (it should be) close to the way of the companions.
As for the people, they get angry when the gas is cut, or the sugar is cut or the grains are cut and they establish an uprising against their ruler who wants good for them. So, there would be a person who is overtaken by zeal who says ‘Let us rebel against the taaghoot’ and (then) he would rebel against the taaghoot, and America cuts off what it used to supply him (the ruler) with and they (the people) (then) say: ‘You (the ruler) are the one who has caused for us the hunger and not having enough clothes, so without doubt we have to kill you until we are relieved from you and until the sugar and gas return to us and other than that.’
As for the people, they get angry when the gas is cut, or the sugar is cut or the grains are cut and they establish an uprising against their ruler who wants good for them. So, there would be a person who is overtaken by zeal who says ‘Let us rebel against the taaghoot’ and (then) he would rebel against the taaghoot, and America cuts off what it used to supply him (the ruler) with and they (the people) (then) say: ‘You (the ruler) are the one who has caused for us the hunger and not having enough clothes, so without doubt we have to kill you until we are relieved from you and until the sugar and gas return to us and other than that.’
So, it is obligatory upon us to make our societies aware (of this), for some of the calls build their calls upon fantasies, upon delusions and upon deception on the society. They move the people from one lie to another.
So, it is known from this that Ahlus-Sunnah are from the greatest of the people in rebuking shirk-ul-qusoor. And this (shirk-ul-qusoor) is a devilish word, for indeed we used to think that ‘Abdullah Sa’tar [3] was the one who invented it, whereas (in reality) the one who invented it for him and the likes of him was Iblees so that they could rebuke their righteous (Salafee) brothers in Aden, those who raised the head of the Sunnah and destroyed the (built up) graves, may Allah reward them with good.” (Pgs 13-15)
The Shaykh also said:
“And the issue of uprisings and revolutions didn’t exist amongst our predecessors such as Ahmad Bin Hanbal, for indeed, the people of hadeeth gathered together with him during the fitnah of the saying of the creation of the Qur ‘an and said: ‘Is it lawful for us to rebel now (against the ruler)?’ So he said: ‘Move away from me, fear Allah and do not say this speech.’” (Page 31)
The Shaykh (rahimahullah) was also asked: ‘ Is it from the methodology of the salaf to incite the general masses against the rulers?’ So, he replied:
“No, except that I want you to make a distinction between the present day rulers and the rulers of the time of the Ummayads and the Abbasids, and you should read the history so that you know what they did in establishing much goodness. (And this is in addition) to us not allowing rebelling against the leaders due to what occurs from the spilling of the blood of the Muslims. And that which has occurred before, has an admonition in it, and the Prophet (sallalahu alaihi wa ‘alaa aalihi wa sallam) has forbidden us from (entering into) the tribulations.
And I advise the students of knowledge not to preoccupy themselves with the rulers and to turn towards the beneficial knowledge (instead). And they (the rulers) do not consult the people of knowledge in their affairs[4], so why should we preoccupy ourselves in this affair (of theirs).
“No, except that I want you to make a distinction between the present day rulers and the rulers of the time of the Ummayads and the Abbasids, and you should read the history so that you know what they did in establishing much goodness. (And this is in addition) to us not allowing rebelling against the leaders due to what occurs from the spilling of the blood of the Muslims. And that which has occurred before, has an admonition in it, and the Prophet (sallalahu alaihi wa ‘alaa aalihi wa sallam) has forbidden us from (entering into) the tribulations.
And I advise the students of knowledge not to preoccupy themselves with the rulers and to turn towards the beneficial knowledge (instead). And they (the rulers) do not consult the people of knowledge in their affairs[4], so why should we preoccupy ourselves in this affair (of theirs).
And we do not call towards uprisings nor revolutions. And by Allah, we do not love that an uprising occurs in Iraq because the blood of the Muslims will be spilt. And we do not love that that an uprising occurs in Libya because the circle will come back around onto the heads of the poor people[5]. And Likewise, we don’t love that an uprising occurs in Syria because the circle will come back around upon the Muslims.” (Pgs. 105-106)
[1] Translator’s footnote: Maktabatus-San’aa Al-Athareeyah, Sana, 2nd Edition, 1425/2004
[2] Translator’s Note: It should not be misunderstood from the Shaykh’s quotation of this verse that he is making unrestricted takfeer upon all the rulers of the Muslim world, as is the case with a number of the extreme takfeeree groups who do use this verse in such a general manner. The Shaykh’s views on making takfeer of the rulers can be found in many of his works, and alhamdollilah, they are views which are in resonance with what the rest of the people of knowledge say on this issue.
[3] Translator’s Note: ‘Abdullah Sa’tar is a prominent Ikhwaanee figurehead in Yemen.
[4] Translator’s note: The rulers of Saudi Arabia are a clear exception to this, with the people of knowledge having a very high status and a clear say in the running of the country. Ever since its creation, the state of Saudi Arabia has relied heavily on its scholars and the edicts and lives of the first two grand Muftis, Shaykh Muhammad Ibraheem Aali-Sheikh and Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Ibn Baaz, bear clear testimony to this. As for Shaykh Muqbil, then his stance on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is exemplified by his praise of it and its rulers in one of his last recorded sessions. A transcription of it can be found at:
The Shaykh eventually died in Saudi Arabia and lies buried in Makkah alongside his two Shaykhs ‘Abdullah Bin Humaid and ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Bin Baaz as well as the great Shaykh, Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-‘Uthaymeen. May Allah have mercy upon them all. Aameen.
[5] Translator’s note: At the time of writing of this very footnote, the Libyan uprising is seemingly turning against the people who have rebelled against Mu’ammar Al-Gaddafi, and the blood of the Muslims is being spilt. It is truly as the Shaykh (rahimahullah) said: ‘...the circle will come back around onto the heads of the poor people.’ And Allah is the one from whom aid is sought.
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