The Three Levels of Forbidding What Is Wrong and the Conditions of Each Level

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. A questioner says: Open wrongs occur from time to time. What is the obligation of the Muslim in this regard? Is it sufficient to merely forbid it in his heart?

Answer:
Forbidding what is wrong has levels, as the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) explained: “Let any one of you who sees a wrong change it with his hand.” This is if he has authority from the one in authority. If he cannot do so, he changes it with his tongue: he forbids the wrong, clarifies things for the people, and distinguishes the truth from falsehood. He spreads knowledge. If he has neither authority nor knowledge, he forbids it in his heart and keeps his distance from its people. He does not say, “My heart forbids it,” and sit with them. No, he keeps his distance from them. And when you see those who engage in our verses, turn away from them until they engage in other talk. And if Satan causes you to forget, do not sit with the people of oppression after the reminder. Yes.