Khashoggi's Death and A Notice of Caution

By

Ibn 'Abdillah As-sudaisiy Al-Iloori

Few days ago, Marwan Bishara (Senior Political Analyst with Aljazeera) was interviewed on Khashoggi's incident. It was shocking that he was contemplating a repeat of the aftermath of the death of Muhammad Bouazizi's who set himself ablaze in Tunisia which kicks-tarted the Arab Spring from one country to another. I said in my mind, "O Allaah, do not allow this to happen again". 

The circumstance surrounding Khashoggi's death is painful and agonizing. The full knowledge of what transpired is with Allaah. And Allaah is the best Judge. May Allaah forgive and have mercy on Jamal Khashoggi and give his family the fortitude to bear the loss. May Allaah rectify the affairs of Saudi Arabia and guide her leaders towards that which pleases Him.

It is however, unfortunate that some people are trying to use the tragic incident as a means of creating fitnah on the land.A lot of people are usually carried away by emotions, which sometimes rob them of the need to think in line with the revealed texts. They are using the opportunity to promote khuruuj against leaders. Some ignorant people are even calling for boycott of hajj (a pillar of Islaam). Allaah's aid is sought. While it is important for the government of Saudi Arabia to try to get to the root of the matter in the interest of justice, we should refrain from making inciting and inflamatory comments that could lead to greater fitnah. We should try not to make another Syria from Saudia Arabia. 

To some people, if a khutbah does not contain insults and inflammatory comments against leaders, it is not a sermon. They consider it a matter of importance to speak against leaders from the pulpit. Whereas, this is against the Sunnah. Anyone who tries to correct their evil of speaking against leaders in public would be wrongly accused of supporting injustice.They accuse anyone who calls them to stick to the Sunnah of being Saudi puppets and money slaves. Allaah knows that I have never benefitted a riyal from Saudi government and I am not seeking its attention. My motive is to encourage us to still stick to the sunnah, as much as we are deeply pained by the death of a fellow Muslim (Khashoggi) in a suspicious way.

Nigerians are very good at delving into matters of other nations, even when we have greater problems back home. Despite the number of people being killed unjustly across Nigeria (through communal crisis, religious crisis, terrorism, armed robbery, brigandage, kidnappings, rituals, brutality and torture, politics, avoidable road accidents, fire disasters, floodings and so on), we do not pray for total outbreak of war. We would continue to pray Allaah to forgive our sins, guide our leaders aright and rectify all our affairs. Revolting against leaders is not and can never be the solution. It would lead to greater evils as you can see in Libya, Syria, Yemen and so on. I have always wondered, if war should start now in Nigeria, where are we running to? The Cameroonians are already chasing some of our refugees out of their territories. Which country will be ready to take us? 

Az-Zubair bin 'Adi رضي الله عنه narrated that they went to Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه and complained about the wrong they were facing at the hand of Al-Hajjaj. Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه said,

"Be patient till you meet your Lord, for no time will come upon you but the time following it will be worse than it. I heard that from the Prophet." [Saheeh Bukhari]

Ibn 'Abbas رضي الله عنه narrated a hadith, reported in Saheeh Baukhari that the Prophet said, 

"Whoever notices something which he dislikes done by his ruler, then he should be patient, for whoever becomes separate from the company of the Muslims even for a span and then dies, he will die as those who died in the Pre-lslamic period of Ignorance (as rebellious sinners). (Fateh-Al-Bari page 112, Vol. 16) 

It was also narrated that Allah's Apostle صلىالله عليه وسلم said: "You will see after me, selfishness (on the part of other people) and other matters that you will disapprove of." They asked, "What do you order us to do, O Allah's Apostle? (under such circumstances)?" He said, "Pay their rights to them (to the rulers) and ask your right from Allah." [Saheeh Bukhari]

Usaid bin Hudair رضي الله عنه also narrated that a man came to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and said, "O Allah's Apostle! You appointed such-and-such person and you did not appoint me?" The Prophet said, 

"After me you will see rulers not giving you your right (but you should give them their right) and be patient till you meet me." [Saheeh Bukhari]

Sheikh Rabee' حفظه الله said, the act of rebelling against leaders or making inflammatory public statements against them is against concrete texts from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. The Sheikh said even if the leader of a nation where Muslims reside is a Kaafir, he is not to be rebelled against except we have the power and strength (army) to fight him, and there is maslahah (benefit) in doing so, and there is no imminent danger in doing it. We need to understand these conditions so that we don't go about misleading the people.

May Allaah guide us aright

Ibn Abdillah As-sudaisiy Al-Iloori