NON-VIOLENCE AND ISLAM

~ 58 ~ Imam An-Nawawi, commenting upon some traditions as set forth by Sahih Muslim (Kitab alImarah) observes: “You should not come into conflict with the rulers in matters of their power. Even if you find them going against express Islamic injunctions, you should attempt to make the truth clear to them solely through words of wisdom and advice. So far as revolt and war against them in order to unseat them is concerned, that is totally unlawful according to the consensus of the ulama, even when the rulers are zalim and fasiq (tyrants and corrupt).” (Sahih Muslim, bi sharh an-Nawawi, 12/229) This command of the Prophet, as clearly expressed above, was based on extremely important considerations. In actual fact, in the early phase of Islam (as well as in the later phase) da‘wah and reform works had to be performed, without which the history of Islam would not have been complete. If the ulama of the The Prophet forbade any uprising against political institutions. The resulting absence of strife permitted the uninterrupted propagation of Islam.