One of them said: If a man does a forbidden act while knowing that it is forbidden, then it is not to be rebuked. What is the correctness of his statement?

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. He says: I heard one of the people say that rebuke is only for the ignorant person, whereas if a man does a forbidden act while knowing that it is forbidden, then it is not to be rebuked. Is this statement correct?

Answer:
We ask Allah for well-being. He is left in his misguidance. This is a misguided person who is to be guided; it is explained to him that this is misguidance and that not acting upon knowledge is misguidance. And Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) cursed the Jews, He cursed them and became angry with them. Why? Because they had the knowledge but they did not act upon it. So it is obligatory to be severe with him and to say to him: You are not like the ignorant person. You are one who is feared to fall under the anger of Allah because you are a knower. So he is reminded of this.