Saudi Arabia-based prominent Islamic scholar Assim Alhakeem has ignited a heated discussion on social media following his remarks on protests and rebellion against oppressive Muslim rulers.
Responding to a query on Twitter regarding the recent political unrest and alleged oppression in Pakistan, Alhakeem declared that participating in protests or rebelling against a tyrannical leader is not permissible in Islam.
In his tweet, Alhakeem stated, “It is not permissible to rebel against the tyrant leader or to protest or to demonstrate! The people are not interested in what the Quran or the Sunnah says. They want to follow their whims and desires even if this burns the whole country!”
This response came after a Twitter user highlighted the alleged killings of 300 Pakistanis and the arrests of thousands in recent political protests, questioning the Islamic perspective on opposing such oppression.
Alhakeem’s statement has drawn both criticism and support online. Some users argued that his interpretation undermines the importance of standing against injustice, citing examples from Islamic history where speaking truth to power was encouraged.
Others supported his viewpoint, agreeing that protests often lead to chaos and destabilization, which is against Islamic principles of maintaining order and peace in society.