The Fifth Principle
21 August 2024 • 1.22K views
The issue of ruling by other than what Allāh has revealed is not specific to particular individuals.
It is not exclusive to the judge, the ruler, or the supreme leader; rather, it applies to anyone who arbitrates between two parties.
Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allāh have mercy on him, said:
«وكل من حكم بين اثنين؛ فهو قاض، سواء كان صاحب حرب، أو متولّي ديوان، أو منتصباً للاحتساب بالأمر بالمعروف والنهي عن المنكر، حتى الذي يحكم بين الصبيان في الخطوط؛ فإن الصحابة كانوا يعدونه من الحكام»
"Anyone who judges between two people is considered a judge, whether he is a warrior, an official in a government office, or someone appointed to command good and forbid evil. Even someone who resolves disputes among children is considered a judge, as the Companions considered such a person to be among the judges." [Majmū’ Al-Fatāwa (170/18)]
Therefore, the judgment applies equally to both the ruler and others. If someone declares takfīr in any of these issues, they must also declare takfīr upon everyone who falls into that form, whether they are a ruler or not.