Muaz bin Jabal relates that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) said: “Listen! The mill of Islam is moving now. So you follow the Book of Allah wherever it leads you to. Listen! If the Book of Allah and power (governance) get separated from each other, you support the Book of Allah. Listen! Such leaders and rulers will rule over you as will devise laws for you; if you accept their laws and decisions, they will put you onto the wrong path, and if you do not accept them, they will kill you.” The Companions asked: “What should we do in this situation?” He said: “You should do exactly the same as did the companions of Isa (Jesus): they were torn apart with a saw, hanged to death. To lay down one’s life in obedience to Allah is better than leading a life in disobedience to Allah.”
(Tabarani)
This hadith provides a candid, principled guideline for believers to follow whenever they come in face with some difficult times. It also highlights the importance of the Book of Allah, the Qur’ān, in the life of believers. The Book is the ultimate guide, the final say in all matters and spheres of life. We can compromise with anything but the Book of Allah. This trial comes when we face the laws and decisions taken by the powers-that-be in conflict with the Book of Allah. In this situation we have to stick to the Book of Allah even when we have to lay down our lives.