المعارضة والإنكار على الحكومة في السياسة الشرعية: حادثة مظاهرة ليكي 2020 في نيجيريا نموذجا

Criticizing the Government in the Scope of Islamic Political System: The Endsars Demonstration in Nigeria in Focus

Abstract

In 2020, Nigeria experienced the bitterness of mass protests led by youth who demanded that the government stop the abuses committed by the special police unit responsible for highway patrols. At that time, the protest movement created a situation resembling a national uprising, resulting in significant casualties and leaving a negative impact on Nigeria’s rapidly declining economy. The incident also revived religious debates among different Muslim groups regarding the Shariah position on opposing the government. Based on this context, this study examines the issue of opposing the government in Islamic jurisprudence, using the Lekki incident in Nigeria as a case study. The research adopts a comparative and analytical approach to establish its position on the matter. The study concludes that protests do not have a fixed ruling in all circumstances; rather, their ruling changes according to the manner, objective, and individuals involved. The study views protests as falling under the concept of public denunciation (inkar ‘alani) and considers them permissible, provided that there is a predominant benefit, while still upholding the preference for private admonition. However, the study classifies the Lekki protest incident as prohibited under Shariah due to its manner, objectives, and the parties behind it. The study calls for a reassessment of the application of certain concepts of siyasah shar‘iyyah within contemporary systems. Among these concepts is the issue of rebellion against rulers.