How sound is the narration: "An oppressive, unjust ruler is better than continuous discord (fitnah)," and was it attributed to Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib, or Amr ibn al-Aas, or Imam Malik, and what is its concept and implication?

The aforementioned narration was transmitted by Ibn Asakir from Amr ibn al-Aas, may Allah be pleased with him, who said to his son: "O my son! A just ruler is better than abundant rain, and a ferocious lion is better than an oppressive ruler, and an oppressive, tyrannical ruler is better than a lasting tribulation." This narration has been attributed to Amr ibn al-Aas by a group of scholars.

Among what was narrated from Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, is his saying: "People will not be reformed except by a righteous or a wicked ruler." The wicked ruler was explained as one through whom Allah secures the pathways, fights the enemy, and establishes the Hadd punishments.

These sayings are mentioned to illustrate the necessity of leadership (Imamah) which protects the religion and preserves security. For an oppressive ruler is better than continuous tribulation and chaos, provided that the foundation of the ruler's authority is based on the supremacy of the Sharia. These sayings do not prevent condemning the ruler and advising him, as in the Hadith: "The best Jihad is a word of truth spoken before a tyrannical ruler."