Benefits from the hadith:
عن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال:
أفضل الجهاد كلمة عدل عند سلطان جائر ((رواه أبو داود، والترمذي وقال: حديث حسن)).
Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (May Allah bepleased with him) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The best type of Jihad (striving in the way of Allah) is speaking a true word in the presence of a tyrant ruler.” [Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].
“Speaking the truth in the presence of the rulers is considered jihad. And jihad is of two types: Jihad of the open apparent enemy, like the disbelievers and jihad of the hidden enemy, like Shaitan and the jinns. Then you have the jihad of the soul and one’s desires. And both of these types are included in the statement of Allah the Most-High when He said:
{وَجَاهِدُوا فِي اللَّهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِهِ}
Which translates to: “And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him.” [Al-Hajj:78]
And the levels of jihad are four:
- Jihad of ones heart
- Jihad with ones tongue.
- Jihad with ones wealth.
- Jihad with the pen.
The word in arabic كلمة (kalimah) has been explained as a “beneficial sentence”. And some of the scholars of the arabic language mentioned it is: “Speech that is built upon two words or more that benefits the listener using the arabic language.”
Shaikh Al-Islaam mentioned this definition when refuting the Sufis that worship Allah by chanting the word, “Allah”. As this is not considered (كلام) speech so this could not be considered an acceptable form of Dhikr of Allah. As in the arabic language a single word is not considered (كلام) speech. Or some of them that chant, ” Hoo Hoo”. This is only from ignorance.
And the statement عدل carries the meaning of truth. So this means a true statement. For instance, ordering the good and forbidding the evil, or refuting a statement or action. All of these are considered كلمة الحق (a true statement). Where there is no compromising of the truth in it. The likes of saying: “this minister, his statement was not correct.” And this is all while being in the presence of the ruler, not in some secret chat room. No, face to face. Telling him (to his face) that this statement was not correct, or that this action you performed was in opposition of the religion. This is speaking a true word. Or if the ruler is seeking something while you are present and it is not correct, then you are to state that to him in that gathering that which he seeks is not permissible. This is speaking a true statement.
And Allah knows best.
Benefited from: Shaikh Abu Abdillah Muhammad Ba Jamaal (May Allah preserve him)
Source: https://t.me/OfficialChannelShaykhBaajammaal/192
Translated by: Abu Yusuf Bilal ibn Howard Robinson