Lesson 6 on the explanation of Usool us-Sittah (The Six Principles) is now available. You can listen to or download it here:

Lesson 6.mp3

The Third Foundation

Indeed, from the completion of unity is hearing and obeying the one who took power [of authority] over us, even if it be an Abyssinian slave. So Allāh explained this with a clear, broad and sufficient explanation, through many aspects of various types of explanation, both legislatively and through decree. Then this foundation became unknown to many of those claiming knowledge, so how then could it be acted upon?

The text of Usool us-Sittah can be found here: The Six Principles (Arabic and English).pdf

Points or topics discussed in the lesson:

• Allah commanded with obedience to Himself and His Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) without any conditions attached. This is an absolute obedience, unrestricted.
• The ayah: “O you who have believed, obey Allāh and obey the Messenger and those in authority over you.” [4:59].
• What does it mean by those in authority? Reference to those who oversee the affairs of the Muslims, whether in all the regions of the earth or whether it is in most parts of the earth, or whether it is in a region among the regions of the earth.
• Obedience to those in authority, the rulers, the leaders, has a condition, which is so long as what they are commanding with or asking of you is obedience to Allah and His Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
• To obey them, such individuals, is to obey Allah and His Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
• There are seven beliefs/principles that belong to the doctrine of Ahlus-Sunnah and can be found in the Qur’an and Sunnah:
  1. To obey the rulers in whatever they command of goodness.
  2. To have patience upon them even if they are oppressive and unjust and don’t fulfill your rights.
  3. To make dua for them that they are rectified and remain upright.
  4. To participate with them in affairs such as the Jum’uah, the Jam’aah and Jihad.
  5. To cooperate with them upon Birr’ and Taqwa.
  6. To not openly spread or publicize their faults and mistakes (because this is the starting point of rebellion and revolution and is not the way to deal with these affairs).
  7. To strive to advise them sincerely for the sake of Allah, for their betterment and betterment of the society. To give this advice in the legislated manner, which is to give it to them in private.