What Does Islam Says About Tyranny?

Tyranny image

A good look at world politics today shows that a good number of  countries are ruled by despots. An even deeper look reveals that a lot of those countries are Muslim majority countries. 

This has driven many to think, 'perhaps tyranny is not really a crime in Islamic theology. 

We are going to be looking at what tyranny is about and whether or not Islam really has legislation concerning it.

The Glorious Qur’an mentions Fir’awn (Pharaoh) no fewer than 85 times. In all the times, it was in relation to the acts of oppression he meted out on the Israelites.

Before we going into what Islam has said about tyranny and tyrants, it would be beneficial to do some disambiguation of terms.

What is Tyranny?

The best-known non-scriptural definition of tyranny comes from Aristotle’s Politics where it  was stated: “Any sole ruler, who is not required to give an account of himself, and who rules over subjects all equal or superior to himself to suit his own interest and not theirs, can only be exercising a tyranny.”

This definitions points at a certain feature; tyranny is a one man show.

Who is a Tyrant?

The word ‘tyrant’ is derived from the Latin word ‘tyrannus’, which means ‘illegitimate ruler’. 

The Encyclopédie defined the term as “a usurper of sovereign power who makes "his subjects the victims of his passions and unjust desires, which he substitutes for laws".

The poet, François-Marie Arouet, known by his nom de plume Voltaire, said, "The sovereign is called a tyrant who knows no laws but his caprice."

Plato stated: "The people have always some champion whom they set over them and nurse into greatness. This and no other is the root from which a tyrant springs; when he first appears he is a protector".

Historians, sociologists and political scientists say tyrants inherit the position from a previous ruler, rise up the ranks in the military or political party or seize power as entrepreneurs. They have also been able to draw up over 20 features of a tyrant and his rule. 

Below are some 11 common features of tyrants and tyranny drawn from the point of view of historians, sociologists and political scientists/commentators.

1. Tyrants exaggerate their mandate to rule: A tyrant believes no one can rule better than themselves which could push them as far as claiming a divine mandate.
2. They repeatedly lie to the public: Because their rule is not based on law, they constantly look for ways to justify their actions which makes them often guilty of mendacity.
3. They blame economic hardship on racial or religious minorities: They find ways of splitting the community along different lines so that there is no united front against them. As George Galloway said, “As long as you are fighting each other, you are not fighting them”.
4. Tyrants attack the motives of anyone who opposes them: Since they believe their rule is divinely ordained, anyone who opposes them must be a ‘devil’.
5. They appoint family members to high positions of authority: Cronyism or nepotism reigns because a tyrant never trusts ‘outsiders’.
6. They keep their personal finances secret, and draw no distinction between personal property and public property: They see the state as an investment or property and not a group of human beings.
7. Conversion of rights into privileges: The people begin to beg and lobby for things that they should naturally have.
8. Increased dependency of the people on government: There is always widespread poverty in a tyranny. By this, the tyrant is able to exercise control over the people. Moreover, if you have no food in your stomach, where do you get the strength to fight the tyrant?
9. Creation of a class of officials who are above the law: Impunity without accountability reigns supreme in despotic setting.
10. Militarization of law enforcement: As a way of psychologically enslaving the people, they are terrorized with brutality to keep out of their minds any thought of rebellion.
11. Undue official influence on trials and juries: The judicial system is suppose to be a source of hope for the common man becomes a tool for the tyrant such that no one even thinks of getting justice from a court of law.

Now that we have gotten acquainted with the basic features of tyranny, let’s see what Islam really has to say about it.

What Does Islam Say About Tyranny?

Umm Salamah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “In the near future there will be rulers and you will like their good deeds and dislike their bad deeds. One who sees through their bad deeds and tries to prevent their repetition by his hand or through his speech, is absolved from blame, but one who hates their bad deeds in the heart of his heart, being unable to prevent their recurrence by his hand or his tongue, is also safe so far as Allah’s wrath is concerned. But one who approves of their bad deeds and imitates them is spiritually ruined.” People asked (the Prophet): Shouldn't we fight against them? He replied: No, as long as they say their prayers.

This Hadith shows that the Prophet (SAW) predicted the coming of tyrants and that they might even be among Muslims.

Disapproval of Tyranny and Bad Leadership

Abdullah ibn Abu Awfa reported that Allah's Messenger (SAW) said, "Allah is with the qadi as long as he is not tyrannical, but when he is, He departs from him and the Devil attaches himself to him."  [Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah]

Here are other narrations from Muhammad (SAW) showing how despicable a tyrant and tyranny is in the sight of Allah.

Aisha, a wife of Muhammad (SAW) said, “I heard from the Messenger of Allah (SAW). He said in this house of mine: “O God, whoever happens acquire some kind of control over the affairs of my people and is hard upon them-be hard upon him, and whoever happens to acquire some kind of control over the affairs of my people and is kind to them-be kind to him.” [Sahih Muslim]

Muhammad (SAW) said, “The worst of guardians is the cruel ruler. Beware of being one of them.” [Sahih Muslim]

Muhammad (SAW) said, “If Allah appointed anyone ruler over a people and he died while he was still treacherous to his people, Allah would forbid his entry into Paradise.” [Sahih Muslim]

Muhammad (SAW) said, “A ruler who, having obtained control over the affairs of the Muslims does not strive for their betterment and does not serve them sincerely shall not enter Paradise with them.” [Sahih Muslim]

Ma'qil narrated: I heard the Prophet (SAW) saying, "Any man whom Allah has given the authority of ruling some people and he does not look after them in an honest manner, will never feel even the smell of Paradise." [Sahih Muslim - Volume 9, Book 89, Number 264]

Standing Against a Tyrant

Muhammad (SAW) did not stop there, he urged Muslims to hold steadfast to the truth even in the face of a tyrannical ruler. Muhammad (SAW) said, "The master of martyrs (sayyid al-shuhada) is Hamza, and a man who stands up to a tyrant ruler and gives him advice. And so the ruler kills him".

What the Pious Predecessors Believed

The companions of Muhammad (SAW) did not differ on the evil status of tyranny. 

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud used to say: "Whoever aids an oppressor or taught him an argument to nullify the right of an ordinary Muslims, has drawn upon himself the anger of Allah".

During the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (the second caliph), in selecting a governor, he would announce: "I want a man who when he is among the people and is not their amir, should not behave as their amir, and when he is among them as an amir, he should behave as one of them. I want a governor who will not distinguish himself from the people by the clothes he wears, or the food he eats or the house he lives in. I want a governor who would establish Salat among the people, treat them equitably and with justice and does not close his door when they come to him in need."

These words of Umar ibn Khattab shows that an Islamic ruler is just and does not raise himself above his subjects which is what tyrants are very good at.

When Umayr ibn Sa’d arrived Homs (Syria) to assume the position of governor, he called the inhabitants to a vast congregational prayer. When the prayer was over, he gave a touching and historical speech in which he said: "O people! Islam is a mighty fortress and a sturdy gate. The fortress of Islam is justice and its gate is truth. If you destroy the fortress and demolish the gate you would undermine the defenses of this religion. Islam will remain strong so long as the Sultan or central authority is strong. The strength of the Sultan neither comes from flogging with the whip, nor killing with the sword but from ruling with justice and holding fast to truth."

The last part of this speech encompasses what the companions learnt from the Muhammad (SAW) about leadership. A ruler doesn’t become strong by being a tyrant, he earns the love, respect and loyalty of his people by being just and truthful.

In that historical letter written by Ali ibn Abu Talib (the fourth caliph) to his governor in Egypt, Malik Ashtar, Ali said: “Beware! Abstain from shedding blood without a valid cause. There is nothing more harmful than this which brings about one's ruin. The blood that is willfully shed shortens the life of a state. On the Day of Judgment it is this crime for which one will have to answer first. So, beware! Do not wish to build the strength of your state on blood; for, it is this blood which ultimately weakens the state and passes it on to other hands. Before me and my God no excuse for willful killing can be entertained.”

I could go on and on with quotes to prove how much Islam abhors tyrants and tyranny but, I believe the little I have brought forth will suffice.

How Muslims are suppose to fight tyrants and tyranny in the 21^st century is another topic for another day. However, Muslim must continue to mobilize and strive against tyrants and tyranny albeit according to the clear rules of Allah and the examples of His noble Messenger, Muhammad (SAW).

I end this piece with a du’a (prayer) Muhammad (SAW) taught the believers. 

Allahumma inna na'udhubika min an nazillaaw nuzilla, aw nadhilla aw nadhlima, aw yudhlama alaina, aw najhala aw yujhala alaina, aw adhilla aw udhala. 

Translation: “O Allah! I seek refuge in You from being over-powered by others, or that I would over-power others (unjustly), or that I should seduce or tyrannize others, or be oppressed by them; or that I be shown ignorance and vulgarity by others, or I be vulgar to them; or from going astray myself, or be mislead by others." 

May Allah continue to strengthen the people of truth wherever they may be.