Obey Allah and obey the Messenger (Surah An-Nisa' 4: 59)

The Necessity of Obeying the Rulers in Obedience to Allah

Al-Bukhari recorded that Ibn `Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhu) said that the Ayah,

Obey Allah and obey the Messenger, and those of you who are in authority. "Was revealed about `Abdullah bin Hudhafah bin Qays bin `Adi (Radhi Allahu Anhu), who the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) sent on a military expedition.'' This statement was collected by the Group, with the exception of Ibn Majah At-Tirmidhi said, "Hasan, Gharib''. Imam Ahmad recorded that `Ali said, "The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) sent a troop under the command of a man from Al-Ansar. When they left, he became angry with them for some reason and said to them, `Has not the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) commanded you to obey me' They said, `Yes.' He said, `Collect some wood,' and then he started a fire with the wood, saying, `I command you to enter the fire.' The people almost entered the fire, but a young man among them said, `You only ran away from the Fire to Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam). Therefore, do not rush until you go back to Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) , and if he commands you to enter it, then enter it.' When they went back to Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam), they told him what had happened, and the Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam)  said,

Had you entered it, you would never have departed from it. Obedience is only in righteousness.''  This Hadith is recorded in the Two Sahihs. Abu Dawud recorded that `Abdullah bin `Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) said that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said,

The Muslim is required to hear and obey in that which he likes and dislikes, unless he was commanded to sin. When he is commanded with sin, then there is no hearing or obeying.

This Hadith is recorded in the Two Sahihs. `Ubadah bin As-Samit (Radhi Allahu Anhu) said, "We gave our pledge to Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) to hear and obey (our leaders), while active and otherwise, in times of ease and times of difficulty, even if we were deprived of our due shares, and to not dispute this matter (leadership) with its rightful people. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said,

Except when you witness clear Kufr about which you have clear proof from Allah.'' This Hadith is recorded in the Two Sahihs. Another Hadith narrated by Anas (Radhi Allahu Anhu) states that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said,

Hear and obey (your leaders), even if an Ethiopian slave whose head is like a raisin, is made your chief.  Al-Bukhari recorded this Hadith. Umm Al-Husayn (Radhi Allahu Anha) said that she heard the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) giving a speech during the Farewell Hajj, in which he said;

Even if a slave was appointed over you, and he rules you with Allah's Book, then listen to him and obey him. Muslim recorded this Hadith. In another narration with Muslim, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said,

Even if an Ethiopian slave, whose nose was mutilated... In the Two Sahihs, it is recorded that Abu Hurayrah (Radhi Allahu Anhu) said that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said,

Whoever obeys me, obeys Allah, and whoever disobeys me, disobeys Allah. Whoever obeys my commander, obeys me, and whoever disobeys my commander, disobeys me.) This is why Allah said,

Obey Allah,  adhere to His Book,

and obey the Messenger, adhere to his Sunnah,

And those of you who are in authority in the obedience to Allah which they command you, not what constitutes disobedience of Allah, for there is no obedience to anyone in disobedience to Allah, as we mentioned in the authentic Hadith,

Obedience is only in righteousness.


The Necessity of Referring to the Qur'an and Sunnah for Judgment

Allah said,

(And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger. Mujahid and several others among the Salaf said that the Ayah means, "(Refer) to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam).'' This is a command from Allah that whatever areas the people dispute about, whether major or minor areas of the religion, they are required to refer to the Qur'an and Sunnah for judgment concerning these disputes. In another Ayah (Surah Ash-Shura 42: 10), Allah said,

And in whatsoever you differ, the decision thereof is with Allah. Therefore, whatever the Book and Sunnah decide and testify to the truth of, then it, is the plain truth. What is beyond truth, save falsehood This is why Allah said,

if you believe in Allah and in the Last Day meaning, refer the disputes and conflicts that arise between you to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) for judgment. Allah's statement,

if you believe in Allah and in the Last Day   indicates that those who do not refer to the Book and Sunnah for judgment in their disputes, are not believers in Allah or the Last Day. Allah said,

That is better meaning, referring to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) for judgment in various disputes is better,

and more suitable for final determination meaning, "Has a better end and destination,'' as As-Suddi and several others have stated while Mujahid said, "Carries a better reward.''


Source: Tafsir ibn Kathir (Abridged)