Author: Rahmatullah Rahmani
The Presence of Scholars in the Court of the Kings (The 4th and Final Part)
Letters and sermons of admonition and advice from scholars for rulers:
One of the ways in which scholars communicated with oppressive kings to advise them, enjoin good and forbid evil, forbidding them from oppression and corruption, and inviting them to implement religious programs and benevolence for Muslims, was through the letters they wrote to kings and rulers and the fearless lectures they delivered to the people from the pulpits and in gatherings.
The Letter of Hujjat al-Islam Imam al-Ghazali (MAPH) to the King of His Time
Imam al-Ghazali, may Allah have mercy on him, wrote letters to the kings and rulers of his time, inviting them to observe reform and justice toward the people and to help the religion. Once, Imam al-Ghazali wrote a letter to the Seljuk Sultan, Sanjar bin Malik Shah, the ruler of Khorasan, with the following content: “Alas! The hardships and the burden of taxes are breaking the necks of Muslims; then the necks of your horses are bent under the weight of golden necklaces!” He also wrote a letter to his elder brother, Sultan Muhammad bin Malik Shah, informing him of his responsibility, fearing the wrath of Allah, and reminding him of certain points to improve the situation of the country.
He also wrote a letter to the minister Fakhr al-Malek, with the following content: “Know that the city of Tus has become a ruin due to hunger and oppression. When the people heard that you were coming from the cities of Isfarayn and Damghan, they were afraid for themselves. The people started selling their grains; the oppressors apologized to the oppressed and asked for forgiveness because they expected justice from you and thought that you would take care of their affairs and be able to organize the situation. But when you reached the city of Tus and the people did not feel any change or transformation from you, their fear and terror of you disappeared, and the farmers and bakers started to hoard again, and the oppressors became bold. Whoever has given you any other report about this city, know that he is an enemy of your religion. Know that the prayers of the people of Tus have been tested, whether good or evil. I advised the previous official a lot, but he did not accept it; as a result, he became an example for the previous and the later ones. O Fakhr al-Malek! Know that these words are fiery, bitter, and harsh, and someone who dares to write them has cut off his expectations from all kings and princes, so know the value of this letter. You will not hear these words from anyone but me. Whoever tells you anything other than this, know that his greed has prevented him from speaking the truth.”
The courage of Imam Abdul Qadir Gilani in speaking the truth in the presence of kings
Imam Abdul Qadir Gilani (may Allah have mercy on him) criticized kings, rebuked princes and leaders, and courageously conveyed the truth to them. Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) said about him: “Shaykh Abdul Qadir Gilani (may Allah have mercy on him) used to order ministers, kings, judges, and other officials to do good and forbid them from doing evil. In the presence of people, from pulpits, and in gatherings, he would openly speak his critical and benevolent words about those in positions of power. He would criticize anyone who imposed oppression on those of low status. He did not fear the criticism of any critic in the way of Allah.”
The author of the book “Qala’id al-Jawahir” wrote: “When the Commander of the Faithful, Al-Moqtazi Le AmrAllah, appointed the judge Abu al-Wafa, Yahya ibn Saeed ibn Yahya ibn Muzaffar, known as Ibn al-Muzham al-Muzalam, to a position, Imam Abdul Qadir Gilani, may Allah have mercy on him, said from the pulpit: ‘You have placed the most oppressive of oppressors in charge of the affairs of the people. What answer will you give to Allah, the Most Merciful of the Merciful, tomorrow?’ The Caliph trembled and wept at this statement and immediately dismissed that judge.”
Final point regarding the presence of scholars in the courts of kings and rulers:
The courageous and truthful positions of sincere scholars and callers, which demonstrate the dignity of their religion, reveal the solidity of their beliefs, express their zeal in enforcing divine law, and depict the scene of supporting truth and rejecting falsehood, serve as an argument and proof against those scholars and callers who prefer to stay away from the tyrant king who is mired in the quagmire of oppression and misguidance. Instead of stopping and rebuking, they choose silence, allowing the tyrant to sink further into his rebellion and misguidance, which confronts the nation with difficulties, providing them with means of harassment and persecution, causing misery and anxiety for the nation. Their excuse for staying away from the king is to protect themselves from the clutches of the king’s anger and to avoid being caught in the trap of his sedition. No zealous person will doubt the futility and baseness of this excuse, for these illusory justifications contradict the saying of Almighty Allah, who says: «وَلْتَكُن مِنكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ» Translation: “And there must be some of you who Enjoin good deeds and command righteous deeds and forbid evil deeds, and these are the ones who will be saved.”
It also contradicts the hadith of the Prophet (PBUH): “You must enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. Or Allah is about to send down upon you a punishment from Him, then you will call Him, but He will not answer you.”
I ask this group of weak scholars who have shied away from fulfilling their responsibility to enjoin good and forbid evil and have made their own health and comfort the criterion: “When such a heedless king issues an order or forbids something, whose responsibility is it to guide him to the right path, prevent him from committing sin, guide him in the direction of establishing the truth, and rebuke him for committing an evil act?”
Continues…
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