In the Name of Allāh, the Ever Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy
Question [truncated]:
Are the Taliban Salafi? And what position should we take with respect to the Taliban and the events that have recently unfolded within Afghanistan (particularly concerning issues like rebellion and public criticism)?
Answer:
Some say that the Ṭālibān are Salafī, but this is incorrect. Rather, the Ṭālibān are Deobandī, Ṣūfī, Maturīdi, ʾAšʿarī, and Ḥanafī. The usūl (foundational tenets) of the Salafīs does not change; they remain immutable. If the Ṭālibān have consolidated control over Afghanistān, then we refer to the principles that govern the relationship between a sovereign authority and its subjects which have been detailed by Allāh, The Most High, in the Qurʾān and in the Prophetic Sunnah (actions, practices, sayings, legal ways, etc.) of Abū al-Qāsim Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd Allāh (ﷺ).
The Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ) said, “Whosoever wishes to advise the ruler should not do so publicly. Rather, he should take him [the ruler] by his hand and take him into seclusion [and advise him]. So if he accepts that from him, then it is in his favour, and if he does not accept, then at least he fulfilled his duty.”
Reference: Musnad Imām Aḥmad, 15359
There are more than a hundred aḥādīth that discuss matters concerning the dynamic between the reigning authority or authorities and the subjects. The sum of these riwayāt explicitly convey the prohibition of rebellion against the Muslim ruler and their public condemnation, deeming such actions ḥarām. This, however, does not deter us from inviting people to the Qurʾān and the Sunnah, as understood by the Salaf-us-Ṣāliḥ (the Pious Predecessors). Rather, we undertake this endeavour, as it has been ordained by Allāh:
You [true believers in Islamic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ) and his Sunnah (legal ways, etc.)] are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islām has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islām has forbidden), and you believe in Allāh. And had the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) believed, it would have been better for them; among them are some who have faith, but most of them are Al-Fasiqun (disobedient to Allāh – and rebellious against Allāh’s Command). Sūrat Āl-ʿImrān, 3:110
The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakāh and obey Allāh and His Messenger. Allāh will have His Mercy on them. Indeed, Allāh is Exalted in Might and Wise.Sūrat at-Tawbah, 9:71
The Messenger (ﷺ) said:
Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then [let him change it] with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart — and that is the weakest of faith.Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 49
In this matter, one shall find a plethora of verses and aḥādīth. However, note that in all of this, it is imperative to maintain a demeanour of gentleness and gentle manners, for Allāh says:
Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided.Sūrat an-Naḥl, 16:125
It is also imperative that the act of enjoining righteousness and forbidding evil be executed with perspicacity, as mentioned by Allāh:
Say, “This is my way; I invite to Allah with insight, I and those who follow me. And exalted is Allah; and I am not of those who associate others with Him.”Sūrat Yūsuf, 12:108
The Messenger (ﷺ) counselled us to hold fast to patience during trials, to recognise that Allāh shall alleviate our tribulations, and he (ﷺ) cautioned us that forsaking the precepts of the Creator shall lead to facing a myriad of adverse trials, repercussions, and penalties.
Allāh says:
And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah and does righteousness and says, “Indeed, I am of the Muslims.”Sūrah Fuṣṣilat, 41:33
Furthermore:
ʿUbādah ibn aṣ-Ṣāmit said: We pledged allegiance to the Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ) that we would listen and obey in both difficult and easy times, whether we felt eager or reluctant, even if others were given preference over us. We also pledged not to challenge those in authority, and to always speak the truth wherever we were, without fearing anyone’s criticism when it came to obeying Allāh. In another version, it says: and that we would not challenge those in authority unless we saw clear disbelief, for which we had proof from Allāh.
Reference: Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ 3666.
This means that obedience to Muslim rulers is obligatory in matters that are lawful (ḥalāl) and permissible according to the Sharīʿah. Obedience is not required in matters that involve disobedience to Allāh, as the Messenger (ﷺ) said: “There is no obedience to the creation in disobedience to the Creator.” As long as no clear and manifest disbelief (kufr bawāḥ) is seen from them, for which there is undeniable proof from Allāh, they are to be regarded as Muslims, and obeying them in what is lawful remains a religious obligation.
When it comes to serious matters such as declaring a ruler to be a disbeliever or calling for rebellion or removal, these are not left to individuals, emotions, or public opinion. Rather, such matters must be referred to the major scholars of the ummah for sound judgment, religious clarity, and lawful process, in accordance with the principles of the Sharīʿah.
Sheikh Aḥmad Yaḥyā al-Najmī (may Allāh have mercy upon him) was asked whether a well-grounded student of knowledge can categorise someone as an innovator or a disbeliever, or if this prerogative is reserved for scholars alone.
He replied by saying, “It is not permissible for a novice student of knowledge to label a person as an innovator or disbeliever until he is qualified to do so. This matter should be entrusted to scholars, as Allāh, exalted is He, says: ‘But if only (before spreading it) they had referred it back to the Messenger and to those in authority over them, then those (of sound opinion and reason) who could derive the correct conclusions regarding it would have known it.'”
We wish goodness for all of the people of Afghanistān, their rulers, and we ask that Allāh relives them of their every distress. And through adherence to the legislation of Allāh is success.
Answered by Abū Dilāra Naief al-ʿAydarūs.
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