REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- In Islam, the act of separatism against the legitimate government is a very crucial and important issue. This issue has also been discussed in the Quran, Hadith, and scholars.
As the main guideline of Muslims, the Quran emphasizes the importance of obedience to the rightful leader as long as they rule justly and in accordance with the law of God. One oft-quoted verse is Surah an-Nisa' verse 59:
Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala (SWT) said:
One of the verses that is often quoted is Surah An-Nisa' verse 59: Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala (SWT) says:
يٰٓاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْٓا اَطِيْعُوا ا للّٰهَ وَاَطِيْعُوا الرَّسُوْلَ وَاُولِى الْاَمْرِ مِنْكُمْۚ prayer َّسُوْلِ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُؤْمِنُوْنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْاٰخِرِۗ ذٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَّاَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيْلًا
Meaning: "O you who believe, obey Allah and obey the Messenger (Prophet Muhammad) and ulu lamri (holders of power) among you. If you differ in opinion about something, return it to Allah (the Qur'an) and the Messenger (sunnah) if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is better (for you) and the consequences are better (in this world and in the hereafter)." (QS An-Nisa [4]:59)
This verse commands that Muslims also obey the one who holds power among them in order to create common good. If they have agreed on something, then Muslims are obliged to carry it out on condition that their decision does not contradict the Qur'an and hadith.
If this is not the case, then we are not obliged to do it, or even be obliged to oppose it, because it is not permissible for a person to obey and obey something that is a sin and an object of God.
The Prophet Muhammad said:
لاَ طَاعَةَ لِمَخْلُوْقٍ فِيْ مَعْصِيَةِ الْخَالِقِ (رواه أحم د)
"It is not (justified) to obey creatures in things that are disobedient to the Creator (Allah swt)." (Ahmad).
The Prophet Muhammad SAW also gave many instructions about obedience to leaders. In one hadith, Rasulullah SAW said:
مَنْ كَرِهَ مِنْ أَمِيرِهِ شَيْئًا فَلْيَصْبِرْ، فَإِنّ َهُ مَنْ خَرَجَ مِنَ السُّلْطَانِ شِبْرًا مَاتَ مِيتَةً جَاهِلِيَّةً
Meaning: "Whoever hates the actions (policies) of his ruler, let him be patient. Because whoever deviates from (obedience) to the ruler (as if) even a span, then he will die as the people of ignorance died." (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim).
This hadith shows the importance of maintaining unity and not rebelling unless there is a very strong reason and shar'i. In another hadith, narrated from Abu Bakrah, the Prophet Muhammad also said:
In another hadith, narrated from Abu Bakrah, the Prophet Muhammad SAW also said:
سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَل َّمَ يَقُولُ «مَنْ أَكْرَمَ سُلْطَانَ اللَّهِ فِي الدُّنْيَا،
Allah's blessings and blessings be upon him meaning: “Whoever glorifies a leader in the world, Allah will glorify him in the afterlife. But whoever belittles (insults) the leader in the world, then Allah will belittle him in the hereafter". (HR At-Tirmidhi).
The scholars also stated that rebellion against a legitimate Muslim ruler is forbidden unless the ruler commits a clear and obvious infidelity. The great scholar from Syria who wrote important works in the Islamic treasury, Imam Nawawi said:
أجمع العلماء على وجوب طاعة الأمراء في غير معصية
"The scholars agreed that it is obligatory to obey ulil amri as long as it is not in a matter of sin" (Syarah Sahih Muslim, 12/222).
In his book Al-Adab al-Shar'iyyah, Ibn Muflih Al Maqdisi also revealed the advice of Imam Ahmad ibn Hambal for separatist groups opposed to the legitimate government.
It is reported that during Al-Watsiq's leadership, the Baghdad Ficheists of the time agreed to meet with Imam Ahmad to discuss Al-Watsiq's deviations as well as plans for an uprising against his leadership.
“Indeed, this matter has peaked and spread, that is, the sayings of the Quran are creatures. This is what we strongly disagree with the Al-Watsiq leadership. said one of the group of fiqs.
However, Imam Ahmad then wisely said:
“It is obligatory for you to deny it only in your heart. Do not let go of your hands of obedience to the leader. Don't you shed your blood and that of the Muslims. Reflect on the consequences of the rebellion you are about to commit. Be patient until the good live in peace and survive the wicked. This rebellion is an unjust act and violates the teachings of the companions.“
Thus, in general Islamic views encourage obedience to legitimate leaders and preserve the unity of the ummah. Acts of separatism or rebellion are considered dangerous and are allowed only under very special conditions and under strict conditions.
