What is the ruling on enjoining good and forbidding evil if we do not know the state of the one being called?

Question : The questioner says, may Allah keep you safe: You mentioned that one of the conditions for enjoining good and forbidding evil is knowing the state of the one being called. Does this ruling fall away if we are ignorant of the state of the one being called?

Answer : Yes, the ruling on enjoining good and forbidding evil falls away if we do not know the state of the one being called. However, there is no harm in inquiring and looking to see if he has abandoned what is right or committed what is wrong. The evidence for this is the man who entered the mosque while the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was delivering the sermon, and then sat down. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not rebuke him for sitting, but asked him, “Did you pray?” He said, “No.” He said, “Stand up and pray two rak'ahs.”