Can we ever disobey the Khalifa?

Introduction

The simplest answer is that we cannot. This is not something that Ahmadi Muslims have made up, but it is the commandment of the Quran and the example of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W).

Before we understand why we should obey the Khalifa, it is useful to understand the importance of Khilafat in Islam and its high rank as per the Quran and Ahadith. This is already explained in detail here.

Can we disobey?

We can disagree with the Khalifa, but we cannot disobey.

But the Khalifa is not infallible, right?

True, the Khalifa can make mistakes in the matter of religion. He is not a Prophet of Allah. But Allah protects the community from adverse effects even if a mistake is made.

“It is possible for a Khalifa to commit an error in his personal matters. However, in matters upon which relies the spiritual and physical progress of the Jamaat, Allah protects His Jamaat from any adverse effects, even if a mistake is made. Allah somehow makes the Khalifa aware of the mistake

[Tafsir-e-Kabir, commentary on Surah al-Nur, pp. 376-377]

What does it mean to “disagree but not disobey”?

A Khalifa can technically make mistakes in matters of religion and fiqh. If one thinks that the Khalifa is not correct in his opinion, one can disagree and remind the Khalifa of the correct view. This can be done by writing a letter to the Khalifa with the relevant proofs from Quran, Sunnah, and Ahadith.

Khalifa V (a.t.b.a) has explained this in the following words:

If you prove that it is not in the Holy Quran and has never been practised by the Holy Prophet sa then you will have to give the proof of it and for that you will write to the Khalifa of the time instead of just talking and giving loose comments on social media.

I remember in my first or second sermon I said that ‘Whenever you see something wrong in me, you ask me. And try to correct me. If I think that whatever I said was right, then I will give you the proof that I was right. If you are right, then I will correct myself.

In such a case the person should give their proof over why they thought a decision was wrong. The Khalifa of the time would either give his proof of why it was right or if the person was correct, he would take the decision back.

[Virtual Mulaqat, March 6th, 2022]

What if the Khalifa looks at the proof and rejects it? Can we still disagree?

No. Once Khalifa looks at the evidence and remains in his position, then we cannot disobey. It is against the Quranic command and the example of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W).

Examples of the Sahaba (R.A)

We have the example of the best generation of Muslims that shows us the unconditional obedience of Sahabas (R.A) towards the Khulafa.

Abdullah Ibn Masud (R.A)

The first example is Abdullah Ibn Masud (R.A), who is counted among the most senior companions of the Prophet (S.A.W). He is the one about whom Muhammad (S.A.W) said that if anyone wants to learn the Holy Quran, they must go to him. Even a companion of his caliber and knowledge is seen obeying the Khalifa.

‘Uthman prayed four rak’ahs at Mina. ‘Abd Allah (b. Mas’ud) said: I prayed two rak’ahs along with the Prophet (ﷺ) and two rak’ahs along with ‘Umar. The version of Hafs added: And along with ‘Uthman during the early period of his caliphate. He (‘Uthman) began to offer complete prayer (i.e. four rak’ahs) later on. The version of Abu Mu’awiyah added: Then your modes of action varied. I would like to pray two rak’ahs acceptable to Allah instead of four rak’ahs.

Al-A’mash said: Mu’awiyah b. Qurrah reported to me from his teachers: ‘Abd Allah (b. Mas’ud) once prayed four rak’ahs. He was told: You criticized ‘Uthman but you yourself prayed four ? He replied: Dissension is evil.

[Sunan Abi Dawud 1960]

In summary,

• Ibn Masud (R.A) saw the Prophet (S.A.W) pray 2 raka’ahs at Mina (a place where pilgrims go during Hajj/Umrah).
• He saw Umar (R.A) doing the same during his khilafat and so did Uthman (R.A).
• But Uthman (R.A) changed and started offering 4 raka’ahs instead.
• So Ibn Masud (R.A) requested to offer the number of raka’ahs that the Prophet (S.A.W) used to do (i.e 2).
• But the next year another companion sees him offering 4 raka’ahs and asks him why are you doing what you criticized Uthman (R.A) about.
• He replies by saying that dissension against the Khalifa is evil.

This proves that even though Uthman (R.A) was going against the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) as per Ibn Masud’s (R.A) knowledge, he still obeyed the Khalifa. If a companion of his caliber does not dare disobey the Khalifa, then we for sure cannot either.

Ammar bin Yasir (R.A)

Another example is a companion who is one of the earliest converts to Islam.

While I was with ‘Umar, a man came to him and said: We live at a place (where water is not found) for a month or two (what should we do, if we are sexually defiled). ‘Umar said: So far as I am concerned, I do not pray until I find water. 

‘Ammar said: Commanded of the faithful, do you not remember when I and you were among the camels (For tending them)? There we became sexually defiled. I rolled down on the ground. We then came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and I mentioned that to him. He said: It was enough for you to do so. Then he struck the ground with both his hands. He then blew over them and wiped his face and both hands by means of them up to half the arms. 

‘Umar said: ‘Ammar, fear Allah.

He said: Commander of the faithful, if you want, I will never narrate it. ‘Umar said: Nay, by Allah, we shall turn you from that towards which you turned (i.e. you have your choice).

[Sunan Abi Dawud 322]

In this example, Umar (R.A) is being asked regarding ghusl. He replies to the man, but Ammar bin Yasir (R.A) corrects him by narrating an incident with the Prophet (S.A.W) where he himself was present. Umar (R.A) warns him to which Ammar (R.A) corrects himself and promises not to narrate that hadith again.

This proves that even though Ammar (R.A) was present when the incident took place and directly saw the Prophet (S.A.W) answer the same question, he still obeys the Khalifa of the time by promising not to narrate the incident again.

Khalid bin Walid (R.A)

This is the example of the companion who has been given the title of Saifullah i.e The sword of Allah.

As for Ibn Ishaq, he states regarding the subject of Khalid and “Umar’s dismissal of him [the following].

Muḥammad b. Humayd- Salamah – Ibn Ishaq:

‘Umar dismissed Khalid only owing to words that Khalid had spoken-according to what they claim. ‘Umar did not cease being wroth with him and disliking his behavior during the whole time of Abu Bakr, owing to his battle with Ibn Nuwayrah and what he had done in fighting against him. When ‘Umar succeeded to the caliphate, the first words he spoke were (those of) Khalid’s dismissal. He said, “He will never govern any province for me.” “Umar wrote to Abu ‘Ubay dah, “If Khalid admits that he is a liar, then he remains commander over what he has charge of. But if he does not admit that he is a liar, then you are commander of what he had charge of. Then pull his turban off his head and confiscate half of his property.”

When Abu ‘Ubaydah mentioned that to Khalid, he said, “Grant me a delay so that I may consult with my sister regarding my affair.” Abu ‘Ubaydah did so. Khalid went in to his sister Fatimah bt. al Walid, as who was the wife of al-Harith b. Hisham, and mentioned that to her. She commented, “By God, ‘Umar does not like you at all. He only wants you to admit that you are a liar in order to remove you.” At this, he kissed her head, saying, “You have spoken the truth, by God.”

Thus, Khalid continued as he had before, refusing to call himself a liar. Bilal, the mawla of Abu Bakr, went to Abu ‘Ubaydah to ask, “What have you been commanded regarding Khalid?”

Abu ‘Ubaydah replied, “I have been commanded to pull of his turban and to divide his property with him.” He then split his property with him until there remained only his two sandals (to be divided].

Abu Ubaydah said, “This one is useless without the other one.”

Khalid said, “Certainly. I am not one to disobey the Commander of the Faithful, therefore, do what seems appropriate to you.”

Thus, he took one sandal and gave him the other sandal. Then Khalid came to Umar at Medina after his dismissal.

[The History of Tabari, Vol 11, Translated Khalid Yahya Blankinship]

Let me summarize the narration:

• Umar (R.A) did not like some actions of Khalid bin Walid (R.A) during a battle.
• He asks him to admit he is a liar, otherwise, he has to be dismissed from being the commander of the Muslim army.
• Khalid (R.A) refuses as he does not lie.
• Abu Ubaydah (R.A) is sent as his replacement and ordered to take half of Khalid bin Walid’s (R.A) property.
• Khalid bin Walid (R.A) obeys without question and goes to Medinah as ordered by the Khalifa.

In this whole incident, the Saifullah (Sword of Allah) doesn’t give in to his ego and disobeys the Khalifa. Khalid (R.A) obeys the Khalifa even when he knows he is right and not a liar. His obedience can be seen from the fact that when Abu Ubaydah (R.A) tells him to keep the pair of shoes for himself as dividing it in half would be useless for each party, Khalid (R.A) insists on even dividing that because it was the command of his Khalifa.

Summary

If this is the example of the companions of Muhammad (S.A.W), the people who learned directly from the Prophet (S.A.W), who lived in his company and saw him, then who are we to even think of disobeying our Khalifa? Even disagreeing with the Khalifa is on the condition that we write to the Khalifa and provide him the relevant evidence from the Quran, Sunnah, and Hadith and wait for him to accept or reject it. We cannot go around talking about it to other people, or on social media.

If the Khalifa rejects the evidence, then it is incumbent for us to obey.