Is there any guidance for students of knowledge regarding enjoining good and forbidding evil?
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Question:
May Allah reward you, Your Eminence, father. This person asks: Is there any guidance for students of knowledge regarding acting upon what they know, calling others to it, and being patient with it? Because some of them have come to see what is wrong and it is as if it does not concern them, even though the Muslim community is in dire need of those who guide them and take hold of their hands. And are they permitted to isolate themselves from the general public of the Muslim community?
Answer:
Enjoining good and forbidding evil is according to one’s ability. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 49a There are necessary conditions for the one who enjoins good and forbids evil. First is knowledge: he must know what is good and what is wrong, what is the truth and what is falsehood. He must have knowledge.
So that he does not forbid what is lawful or permit what is forbidden, and he does not know. He must learn. The third condition is that he must have wisdom in enjoining good and forbidding evil. He descends with people in stages according to their condition and progresses with them step by step. He does not come to them suddenly or with aggression, but he comes to them with wisdom. Allah the Exalted said:[An-Nahl 16:125] He must have a Shari'ah method in calling, debating, and admonishing.
Or all[At-Tawbah 9:71] The fourth condition is that if he has authority, he changes it with his hand. If he does not have authority, he changes it with his tongue. If he does not have authority or a tongue, he changes it with his heart; he disapproves of it with his heart. Fear Allah as much as you are able. Yes.
May Allah reward you, Your Eminence, father. This person asks: Is there any guidance for students of knowledge regarding acting upon what they know, calling others to it, and being patient with it? Because some of them have come to see what is wrong and it is as if it does not concern them, even though the Muslim community is in dire need of those who guide them and take hold of their hands. And are they permitted to isolate themselves from the general public of the Muslim community?
Answer:
Enjoining good and forbidding evil is according to one’s ability. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
He who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do it, then he should do it with his tongue, and if he has not strength enough to do it, (even) then he should (abhor it) from his heart
من رأى منكم منكرا فليغيره بيده. فإن لم يستطع فبلسانه فإن لم يستطع فبقلبه.So that he does not forbid what is lawful or permit what is forbidden, and he does not know. He must learn. The third condition is that he must have wisdom in enjoining good and forbidding evil. He descends with people in stages according to their condition and progresses with them step by step. He does not come to them suddenly or with aggression, but he comes to them with wisdom. Allah the Exalted said:
Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best.
ادْعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ وَجَادِلْهُم بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُOr all
They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong
يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، [198 -1024] هل من توجيه لطلاب العلم حول الأمر بالمعروف والنهي عن المنكر؟ - الشيخ صالح الفوزان — youtube.com
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.