Are rulers above the law in Islam?

"Even if it were Fatimah"

A woman from a powerful Makhzumi family was caught stealing, and people asked Usamah ibn Zayd to plead with the Prophet ﷺ to let her off. The Prophet ﷺ was angry and said that earlier nations were destroyed because they punished the weak and let the powerful go free. Then he said that if Fatimah, his own daughter, stole, he would apply the punishment to her too (Sahih al-Bukhari 3475). Equality before the law was not a theory; it was applied to the most important family in Madinah.

Justice even against yourself

The Quran commands justice with no exception for status, wealth or family:

Rulers are also told to give trusts to those who deserve them and to judge between people with justice (Quran 4:58).

Obedience has limits

Muslims are told to obey those in authority, but the Prophet ﷺ made clear that obedience is only in what is right, never in disobeying Allah (Sahih al-Bukhari 7145). When Abu Bakr became the first caliph, he is reported to have said in his first speech: obey me as long as I obey Allah, and if I go wrong, correct me. Historical reports also tell of Ali, while caliph, appearing before a judge in a dispute over a shield and losing his case. See What is a caliphate?

Theory and reality

History has many Muslim rulers who acted as if they were above the law, as in every civilization. Scholars often criticized them, and some went to prison for it. Classical scholars generally urged correcting rulers through advice and lawful means rather than armed revolt, to avoid bloodshed. See Is it haram to rebel against a government? Many Muslims today see accountable government and the rule of law as closer to these ideals. See Is democracy compatible with Islam?