It is the duty of every Muslim to correct a despot and a...

It is the duty of every Muslim to correct a despot and a dictator and tender him good advice. Despotism or dictatorship is not a good thing in itself. It is not in the interest of the country. It is not in the interest of the society. No dictator can remain in position forever. He should be admonished. If he does not listen to advice he should be confronted and force should be used against him.

It is possible that you, who are Muslims, may say that if the position is this why don't the Ulema mention these things in connection with Jihad. Why have different things been said in our traditions and Hadith in this regard? When we look at the early history of Islam we see that in the early days of Islam the Commander of the Faithful treated valid all those battles, in which the Muslims had participated.

He not only was on the side of the Mujahids (fighters) but also sent his sons to fight some battles. But what happened thereafter? Thereafter came the period of Muawiyyah and Yazid. According to the traditions about Jihad which have come down to us one of the conditions of Jihad is that it should be performed under the leadership of a righteous Imam or a righteous ruler.

It has been stated specifically in the traditions and Hadith that warfare should not be for strengthening the authority of an oppressive ruler or an oppressive leader. Hence it has been ordered that fighting and defence should be under- taken under the leadership of a just ruler. What were the conditions during the time of the Imams? The Muslims fought and the Islamic territories expanded, but to whose benefit?

If a Muslim goes and conquers China and as a result of that Abdul Malik bin Marwan, or Sulaiman bin Abdul Malik or some Abbasid Caliph benefits and becomes the Commander of the Faithful and Caliph of the Muslims, Islam does not want such a conquest. It is for the reason that the permission of a righteous ruler for Jihad has been insisted upon again and again in the Hadith. This is the real matter. It is just as has been said in the Hadith about Friday prayers which needs attention.

Friday prayer is the sign of rulership. If it had been said that it was valid to offer Friday prayers led by any person it would have meant acknowledging the government of Walid bin Abdul Malik or Mutawakkal Abbasl or any Omayyad as valid, because Friday prayers were led by their representatives. However Friday prayer is not like other prayers.