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The question

Is it permissible to pledge allegiance to a disbelieving ruler?

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Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

The Bay'ah (pledge of allegiance) is a legitimate contract between the one pledging allegiance and the Amir (leader) or Caliph, signifying a covenant of obedience. The Bay'ah is concluded after the Ahl al-Hall wal-'Aqd (people of authority and influence) choose the Caliph. These are people of knowledge, sound judgment, and intellect, who possess the conditions of trustworthiness and justice.

It is a condition for the Caliph to whom allegiance is pledged that he be a Muslim by consensus, because he is the one who will implement Allah's law, establish the hudud (penalties), and guard the frontiers. If the Caliph commits an act of disbelief (kufr), he is to be deposed.

Allah Almighty says: "And never will Allah grant to the disbelievers a way (to triumph) over the believers" (An-Nisa 4:141). Therefore, it is not permissible to pledge allegiance to a disbelieving ruler.

Summary from Ftawy's records · added here

Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.

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Where this answer came from
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Ftawy
Original fatwa ID
29018
Added here
. This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
Text
Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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Read the full answer on Ftawy