Intermediate
Governance
Surah: An-Nisa (59)
O Believers Obey Allah, the Messenger, and Those in Authority
أَطِيعُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُواْ ٱلرَّسُولَ وَأُوْلِي ٱلۡأَمۡرِ مِنكُمۡ
— النساء الآية 59
Verse: "O believers, obey Allah, obey the Messenger, and those in authority among you." (4:59) — Three-level hierarchy: Allah first + Messenger second + those in authority third. Obedience to authority is conditional on obedience to Allah and Messenger. "If you disagree about something — refer it to Allah and the Messenger" — disputes are resolved by Quran and Sunnah, not opinion or authority alone.
Source: Al-Qurtubi (5/259); Ibn Kathir (2/347)
Test Yourself
What are the limits of obeying those in authority according to the verse?
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