Who is responsible to depose unjust rulers in Islam?

Table of Contents

Action: The ummah has the primary responsibility to challenge injustice and uphold justice in society. The collective action of the community, such as through peaceful protests, public advocacy, and raising awareness, plays a significant role in confronting an unjust ruler. The ummah is responsible for holding rulers accountable and demanding their removal if they engage in oppression or corruption.
Islamic Basis:
- Qur’an: “You are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong…” (Qur’an, 3:110)
- Hadith: “Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; if he is not able to, then with his tongue; and if he is not able to, then with his heart, and that is the weakest of faith.” (Sahih Muslim)
- The ummah is tasked with standing up against oppression and tyranny, as they must collectively work to ensure justice is maintained and uphold the moral integrity of society.

Action: The ulema have a responsibility to advise rulers and guide the community toward justice. If a ruler becomes unjust, the ulema are tasked with speaking out against the oppression, issuing fatwas (Islamic legal rulings), and publicly denouncing the ruler’s actions. They are the ones who can provide the intellectual and moral foundation for resistance, ensuring that the Islamic principles of justice are followed.
Islamic Basis:
- Qur’an: “And when you speak, be just, even if it concerns a near relative…” (Qur’an, 6:152)
- Hadith: “The best of jihad is a word of justice spoken to a tyrannical ruler.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)
- The ulema are tasked with advising rulers and the people when the ruler acts unjustly. Their role is to educate and remind both the rulers and the people of their obligations to uphold justice.

Action: Islamic political leaders are responsible for ensuring that the ruler remains accountable and just. If a ruler deviates from Islamic principles or engages in injustice, political leaders are expected to challenge the ruler’s actions through legitimate political avenues, which can include petitioning for reform, advocating for the removal of the unjust ruler, or working within the system to limit the ruler’s powers.
Islamic Basis:
- Qur’an: “And those who have responded to their Lord and established prayer and whose affair is [determined by] consultation among themselves…” (Qur’an, 42:38)
- Hadith: “The best of rulers are those whom you love and they love you, and they pray for you and you pray for them.” (Sahih Muslim)
- Islamic political leaders must also hold the ruler to account and use their position to guide governance based on the principles of justice and fairness.

Action: Islamic judges have a key role in enforcing Shariah and ensuring justice. If a ruler is unjust and violates Islamic law, the judiciary can challenge the ruler’s actions, issue legal rulings that may call for the ruler to step down, and uphold the law. The judiciary plays a crucial role in ensuring that the actions of the ruler do not violate the rights of the people and Islamic principles of justice.
Islamic Basis:
- Qur’an: “Indeed, We have sent Our messengers with clear proofs and revealed with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may uphold justice…” (Qur’an, 57:25)
- Hadith: “The just will be seated on pulpits of light, those who are just in their rulings, with their families, and those who are under them.” (Sahih Muslim)
- Judges are tasked with upholding justice, even if the ruler is unjust, and should seek to limit the power of unjust rulers through legal means.

Action: The military is seen as a last resort in Islam when all other peaceful means of addressing injustice have failed. If a ruler’s tyranny becomes intolerable, and if the ummah, ulema, and political leaders are unable to act against the ruler, the military might intervene. However, this is not encouraged unless it is necessary to restore justice and protect the people from widespread harm.
Islamic Basis:
- Qur’an: “And if two factions among the believers fall to fighting, then make peace between them. But if one of them oppresses the other, then fight the one that oppresses until it returns to the ordinance of Allah.” (Qur’an, 49:9)
- Hadith: “There will be rulers who will oppress and take the rights of others. Do not fight them with the sword unless you are compelled to.” (Sahih Muslim)
- The military‘s role is seen as a protective force for the people and is only called upon when necessary to prevent widespread harm and restore justice.