Overthrowing an Oppressive Ruler
Dear Sheikhs, As-Salamu `alaykum. Is it allowed for the people to overthrow a corrupt oppressive leader by the use of force when there is no other option left? I think of Iraq when asking this question. Saddam was killing thousands of Muslims. It seemed like force was the only way to remove him in the end, but, of course, I don't support the Americans to do any such thing. So, if the Iraqis had overthrown him themselves, using force, would this have been against Islam? Jazakum Allah khayran.
