Islamic Revival

  “If a ruler has no legitimacy – like a dictator who takes power by force through a military coup, then it is permissible to remove him by the same means. There is no problem with this. This is what many scholars wrote in their books and explained, except during certain times when some jurists, under pressure or fear, said things that people later misunderstood. For example, Malik ibn Anas was asked about joining Muhammad al-Nafs al-Zakiyya in his uprising against Abu Ja’far al-Mansur, and he said: “Yes, join him,” and gave a legal opinion to that effect. Likewise, Abd al-Rahman al-Dakhil in Andalusia also gave a fatwa supporting rebellion. When Malik was asked, “What if someone rises against our leader – should we protect the leader?” he replied, “If they are like Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, then protect the leader. Otherwise, leave it. Allah will punish the oppressor through another oppressor, and then He will punish both.” Sahnun explained Malik’s words by saying: If the ruler is unj...