The Evil Consequences of Violent Protests

To begin with, Allah (SWT) created Prophet Adam (AS) as His vicegerent (khalifa) and a leader on this Earth. He was equipped with knowledge to assume that role. The Prophets and Messengers after him were also tasked to lead Mankind to the path of God to establish justice on earth. For example, Allah (SWT) says to Prophet Ibrahim (AS) in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 124:“… “I will make you a leader to Mankind…”

It is clear that every leadership position signifies a covenant and promise to Allah, The Creator to safeguard the leadership responsibilities. Thus, leadership in Islam is a trust; it takes the form of an explicit contract or pledge between a leader and the followers.

The Prophet (Peace be upon Him) further stated in a hadith, “Each of you is a leader, and each leader will be held accountable for what he has led.” ( Al-Bukhari).

The followers equally represent an important ingredient in the leadership process. Just as in the case of the leaders, the character of followers will be judged. So let us reflect upon ourselves and ask how have we discharged our roles. For instance, the issue of obedience is an importance aspect of the followers’ responsibility. Thus, Islam recommended that the leaders must be obeyed.

In a Hadith, on the authority of Abu Najih Al-Erbadh bin Sariah,/said: ‘The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) gave us a sermon by which our hearts were filled with fear and tears came to our eyes. We said: “O Messenger of Allah, it is as though this is a farewell sermon, so counsel us.” He said: “I counsel you to fear Allah and to give absolute obedience even if a slave becomes your leader. Verily he among you who lives [long] will see great changes, so you must keep to my sunnah….” related by Abu Dawud and Al-Tirmithi. Thus, the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) as relates to dealing with the leaders is advice not protests, especially on things that has to do with policies implementations.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also said: “If one of you sees something from the leader that he hates, let him not publicize it.” This is a clear Hadith forbidding openly protesting (even publicly speaking) against the leader. Then he gave the Muslims a method of correcting the leader. He said: Rather you should advise him. If he accepts the advice, then that is good. If he refuses, then you have fulfilled your duty.

So, one may write to the ruler with gentle words advising him with correct conduct. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) never ever protested in the streets of Makkah though he and his Companions suffered for 13 years in Makkah. They never once blocked the streets or cause disturbance. However, the Prophet  (SAW) would constantly preach to them leniently and remind them of their duties and the impending Day of Judgement wherein Allah, The Ultimate Judge  will call them to account.

In another Hadith narrated by Ibn Umar (RA), he reported Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) as saying, ‘Hearing and obeying (the leadership) are the duty of a Muslim, both regarding what he likes and what he dislikes.’ As Muhammad Asad indicates, after a leader has been duly elected, he may “be considered to have received a pledge of allegiance from the community.” As a result, both the majority who voted for him as well as the minority who may have voted against owes obedience and allegiance. Islam considers obedience to leaders so important that it views any kind of insubordination to be objectionable unless in a very specific circumstances.

Brothers! Even thou the constitutional provision allows peaceful protest, but the fear is largely on what follows the protests. The initiators will not even know how it can be hijacked by criminals. Therefore, it is better to avoid protest and approach the situation in more civilized manner.

Allah (SWT) said: ‘‘…And fear the Fitnah (calamity which affects not in particular (only) those of you who do wrong.’’

Because the danger of Fitnah is great, its evil is dire, it perishes the lawbreaker and the innocent. Therefore, Islam is concerned with prevention of Fitnah even before it occurs and has set clear features for the Muslim to be guided by, so that they may emerge in peace.

So, patience is very important in times of hardship. There is tremendous wisdom behind this, because of the consequences of great bloodshed and damage that results in standing up against those in authority. The situation requires more patience and positive approaches instead of resorting to protests.

The great Muslim scholars such as Ibnul-Qayyim al-jawziya, Ibn Bāz and Al-Albāni have stated that protests, demonstrations and rising up against those in authority are not allowed in Islam.

We have so many examples of how street protest led to violence, bloodshed, destruction of property and infrastructure, as well as disruption of public order and services. Even the so- called peaceful protests hardly ever end as they begin.

Street protests can have far-reaching and devastating consequences for the nation, including: economic instability and loss of investment, damage to international relations and reputation, weakening of national unity and social cohesion. Others include undermining trust in institutions and leadership, creation of divisions and polarization.

Therefore, Islam offers guidance on how to address grievances and bring about positive change, such as engaging in peaceful and constructive dialogue, working through established channels and institutions. Avoiding harm and prioritizing the greater good and national interest.

One of the most devastating dimensions to street protests involve the hijacking of legitimate causes by hoodlums. Most often, the hoodlums resort to theft, rape, vandalism of vehicles, looting of shops and burning of public properties. For instance, protests happened in the Arab countries, interests were disrupted. People are now languishing in sadness. Their demonstrations have led to the shedding of hundreds of thousands of blood and have made many women to be widows and the many children been become orphans. It has brought sadness, distress and affliction to many homes, which have been shocked by causing injuries or deaths of their dear ones. The protests have destroyed countries and caused pain to their people.

History has shown that the consequences of protests result in a more devastating effect than even the situation people find themselves before the protests began.

Today, you hear a terrifying difficult and critical situation sweeping through some countries, where violent waves of sedition have swept over them: sedition that have ignited wars, increased distress, swept away lives, filled hospitals and homes with the injured and disabled, took away wealth and property, burned cities, villages, and destroyed homes and terrified men and women. sedition that removed security and stability, introduced terror and fear, sedition that increased the number of widows and orphans, sedition that weakened the economy, squandered wealth, increased poverty and hunger among the people, expanded unemployment and need, reduced jobs and businesses, so thefts and attacks increased, and killing and fighting spread.