Be as the Companions of Eesa

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “The wheel of Islam is on the move. Beware, you must turn toward the direction given by the Quran. Be vigilant! The Quran and political power will shortly part company. Beware lest you should forsake the Quran. In the times to come there will be rulers who will impose their will on you. If you obey them they will lead you astray from the path of righteousness. And if you rebel against them, they will put you to death.” A Companion (radi Allahu anhu) submitted: “What should we do then, O Messenger of Allah!” The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) replied: “Do what the Companions of Eesa (alaihis salam) did. They were cut through with saws and hanged on the cross. It is far better to give one’s life obeying the commandments of Allah than to live a life of disobedience to the Almighty.” [Etiquettes of Life in Islam by Muhammad Yusuf Islahi]

Many people may desire to live by the teachings of Islam since they suit human nature, but not everyone is strong enough to do so when the rules in society and the government are against one. Thus, political power, when exercised in the light of the Quran, helps all to live by Islam.

This hadith forewarned that a time would come when political power and the Quran would part company.
 
The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) told us that when that occurred we should side with the Quran rather than with political power.

Rulers would try to make us go against Allah’s commands and kill us for rebelling against their orders. But we should then do what the Companions of Eesa (alaihis salam) did, and make the ultimate sacrifice of our lives, because death is preferable to a life spent in disobedience to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala).