The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.S) warned us about the consequences of associating with rulers. He said,
من سَكن الباديةَ جَفا
ومَن اتَّبع الصَّيد غَفَلَ
ومَن أتَى السُّلطانَ افتُتِنَ
وما ازداد عبد من السلطان دنوا إلا ازداد من الله بعدا(أبوداود، والبيهقي،)
“Whoever resides in the deserts, he becomes ignorant, whoever follows game, he becomes heedless, and whoever comes to the door of the Sultan, he will suffer a Fitnah.”
Our Prophet (peace be upon him) cautioned us, especially the scholars, about associating with the ruling class. Through out Islamic history, the scholars have been the ones to put rulers under checks and balances. They have displayed courage in standing up to tyrannical rulers and speaking the truth in front of them. Despite facing persecution, imprisonment, and even death, the names and legacies of these scholars are revered until the Day of Judgment. Speaking the truth in front of a tyrant is considered the highest form of jihad. Our history is filled with the examples of these righteous scholars.
It is important to note that not all scholars have taken the same stance towards rulers. Some scholars, due to circumstances or personal justifications, have associated with rulers. However, it is crucial to differentiate between those who have been forced into silence or compromise and those who have willingly sold their integrity. It is not for us to pass judgment on individuals, as we do not know the challenges they face or the choices they have to make. However, it is clear that the majority of scholars throughout history have upheld their duty to speak the truth, even in the face of adversity.
Throughout history, there have been instances where Islamic scholars faced repercussions for their refusal to align with the decisions of Islamic rulers. An illustrative case is that of Imam Abu Hanifa.
Abu Hanifa, a renowned Islamic scholar, faced a complex relationship with the Khalifas, the rulers of the expanding Islamic state. Despite gaining recognition for his knowledge, fairness, and popularity among the masses, Abu Hanifa found himself at odds with the Khalifas who became increasingly distant from the common people, living lavish lives in luxurious palaces.
Abu Hanifa was offered prestigious positions, including Chief Treasurer and Chief Judge, by Khalifa Marwan bin Muhammad and Umar ibn Hubayra al-Fazar, the governor of the Iraq province. However, Abu Hanifa declined these offers, aware that serving as a judge under the Khalifa’s influence would compromise his ability to deliver fair judgments.
In 763, Khalifa Abdullah ibn Mohammad Al-Mansur offered Abu Hanifa the position of Chief Judge, but he respectfully declined, citing his unsuitability for the post. This response angered Al-Mansur, who accused Abu Hanifa of lying. Abu Hanifa, in turn, defended himself, stating that appointing a liar as Chief Judge would be contradictory.
As a consequence of his refusal, Abu Hanifa faced imprisonment and was subjected to flogging. He endured daily lashings, receiving a total of 110 lashes. The mistreatment in prison, or possibly poison, led to his death at the age of 70 in Baghdad around 150 AH (767 AC).