Imām Abū Jaʿfar al-Ṭaḥāwī (d. 321 AH) states in his creed:

“We do not hold (the permissibility) of rebelling against our rulers and those in authority over our affairs, even if they oppress.”

Imām Ibn Abī al-ʿIzz (d. 792 AH) explained:

As for obeying them even if they oppress, that is because rebelling against them results in harms exponentially greater than their oppression. In fact, if the subjects are patient upon their oppression, Allāh will expiate their sins by means of that. Allāh has not given them rule over us except due to our evil actions, as recompense is in accordance with the deed.

Thus, what is upon us is to strive, and place great effort in seeking Allāh’s forgiveness, repenting to Him and rectifying our actions. Allāh—the Most High—said:

وَمَا أَصَابَكُم مِّن مُّصِيبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَيَعْفُو عَن كَثِيرٍ

“And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your own hands have earned; but He pardons much.”
(Al-Shūrā, 42:30)

He also said:

وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُوَلِّي بَعْضَ الظَّالِمِينَ بَعْضًا بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ

“Thus do we turn some of the oppressors against others on account of (the deeds) they earn.”
(Al-Anʿām, 6:129)

Therefore, if the subjects wish to get rid of the ruler’s oppression, let them leave off oppression (of themselves and others through sin and disobedience)!

Al-ʿAllāmah al-Albānī (d. 1420 AH) comments on the statement of Ibn Abī al-ʿIzz:

This comprises a clarification of the path to deliverance from the oppression of those rulers who are “from our own people and speak with our tongue.”^[1] That path is for the Muslims to repent to their Lord, correct their belief, and nurture themselves and their families upon the correct understanding of Islām, thereby actualizing Allāh’s statement:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ

“Indeed, Allāh will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves”
[Al-Raʿd, 13:11].

One of the contemporary callers pointed out this reality, saying: “Establish the Islamic state in your hearts, it will be established for you upon your earth.” So, we say that the path of rectification is not what some surmise: revolution with the sword against the rulers through military coups. Not only is this methodology a modern-day innovation, but it also opposes Islamic texts, among which is the command of self-rectification. It is necessary to first implement the principle Allāh has set forth in order to attain His promise of support:

وَلَيَنصُرَنَّ اللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ

“Allāh will surely aid, and give victory to those who aid (His cause). Truly, Allāh is All-Powerful, Exalted in Might.”^[2]
[Al-Ḥajj, 22:40]