Question: If this statement is a Hadith (from the Prophet [Peace and blessings be upon him]), explain it to us. It says: “Verily, Allah prevents by the authority (Sultan, ruler), what He does not prevent by the Qur’an.”
Answer: This is a well-known narration from Uthman (Radi Allahu ‘Anhu) and it is also proven from Uthman bin Affan, the third rightly guided Caliph, and it is also narrated from Umar (Radi Allahu ‘Anhu) . (The narration) “Verily, Allah prevents by the authority (Sultan), what He does not prevent by the Qur’an.”
It means: The ruler prevents people from committing forbidden acts more than the Quran prevents; because some people have weak faith and the warnings and prohibitions of the Quran do not affect them, but they commit forbidden acts without caring (about the repercussions).
However, when they know that there is a punishment from the ruler, they refrain, fearing the ruler’s punishment. So, Allah repels with the ruler, meaning the punishments of the ruler, the (evil of the) Mujrimeen (criminals), more than He repels with the Quran; due to their weak faith and lack of fear of Allah. But they fear the ruler, lest they be imprisoned, beaten, fined from their wealth, or exiled from their land.
They fear that and refrain from some forbidden acts which they fear the ruler’s punishment for, while their faith is weak and they do not refrain due to the warnings and prohibitions of the Quran; due to their weak faith and lack of insight. And there is no power or strength except with Allah.
Presenter: May Allah reward you with good.
-Answered by Shaikh Abdul Azeez bin Abdullah bin Baaz (Rahimahullah)
Saheehus-Seerah 