Praising Rulers On The Pulpits

Shaikh Abdullah Aba Butain was asked about making supplications in the sermon for specific individuals…etc.?

He answered: Some people justify this by citing certain scholars’ opinions that making supplications for specific individuals in the sermon is permissible, though they did not say it is recommended; furthermore:

Making supplication is good, praying that Allah reform and guide them, and through them bring about reform and grant them victory over disbelievers and corrupt people, unlike what appears in some sermons of false praise and commendation;

The ruler should be supplicated for, not praised, especially with qualities they do not possess, and those (rulers) who are praised in sermons (these days) are those who have caused the death of the religion (have harmed the religion), so those who praise them are mistaken, none among today’s rulers deserve praise or commendation, rather they should be supplicated for with guidance and success.

What is obligatory upon the ruler first is to begin with their subjects by requiring them to follow Islamic laws; removing wrongdoing, enjoining good and forbidding evil, and establishing legal punishments,

This is more important and obligatory than fighting the disbelieving enemy, and this helps in fighting disbelievers, as it is narrated: “Indeed, you fight those whom you fight through your deeds.”

Ad-Durar As-Saniyyah Fee Ajwibatin Najdiyyah (Volume 5, page 41).

Note: Shaikh Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Aba Butain was one of the prominent scholars of Najd in the 13th century Hijri. He served as a judge in Riyadh and was a member of the Council of Senior Scholars of Saudi Arabia at that time. He was known for his vast knowledge and jurisprudential investigations, especially in the Hanbali school. He authored numerous works in creed and jurisprudence, and was among the defenders of the methodology of the predecessors (Manhaj-us-Salaf). He died in 1282 Hijri, leaving behind a significant scholarly legacy.

(Translated by Mohammed bin Thajammul Hussain Manna on 22nd Jan 2025)