Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned:
The Muslims can only gain power and rulership in the earth through them constantly remaining obedient to Allah Ta‘ala and fulfilling His commands. It is logical that if a person wants to gain a favour from someone, then he is more likely to receive it through pleasing the person than through displeasing the person. When one understands that supreme authority and power lie in the hands of Allah Ta‘ala, then if the Muslims wish to gain power and rulership, they should constantly remain obedient to Allah Ta‘ala and turn to Him at all times. How strange it is that people regard following the laws of Shari’ah to be a cause for their retrogression, and regard breaking the laws of Shari’ah to be a cause for their progress. (Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 5/350)
Source: Ihyaauddeen.co.za