O Believers Obey Allah, the Messenger, and Those in Authority
fiqh
Level: intermediate
governance
fqh-065
أَطِيعُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُواْ ٱلرَّسُولَ وَأُوْلِي ٱلۡأَمۡرِ مِنكُمۡ
— النساء 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)
Question: What are the limits of obeying those in authority according to the verse?
Answer: Conditional on not violating Allah and Messenger — "no obedience to a creature in disobeying the Creator." In disagreements the Quran and Sunnah are the reference.