Warning Against Those Who Deal in Riba and Publicizing Them After Advising
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Question:
A question regarding those who deal in riba (usury or interest). He says: If we advise them and they do not accept the advice, is it permissible for us to warn their wives and children against them? And is it permissible to publicize them secretly among people and mention their names to the community so that the community warns itself against them?
Answer:
This depends on the crimes. Crimes differ. If their crimes are major and serious, there is no harm in making their matter clear so that people warn themselves against them. Also, it is necessary to disapprove of them openly by reporting their case to the authorities, to the bodies that enjoin good and forbid evil, and to the centers of the bodies responsible for hisbah (supervision of public morals).
The authority is to be informed about their case. As for if their crimes are less than that, he should advise them. And whenever it is possible to cover up the Muslim’s fault, whenever it is possible to cover up the Muslim’s fault while advising him, it is obligatory. The saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1425Sahih (Darussalam) in this world and the Hereafter. If covering up the fault serves as a cure and it is hoped that the person will repent and leave the matter, that is the case. But if he is openly committing sin, does not care, and has been advised but did not accept the advice, then the other measure is taken with him: reporting him and advising people not to deal with him or associate with him, lest he infect them with his plague, for he is plague-stricken. So, for example, the healthy person does not associate with him lest he be infected by his evil and fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). This is according to the crimes and the circumstances. And the Muslim should be wise in his enjoining and forbidding and his admonition, doing what is most beneficial and best. Allah the Exalted said: [An-Nahl 16:125-126].
This requires insight, knowledge, and wisdom. And harshness toward those who deserve harshness, and severity toward those who deserve severity. This varies according to the people. Yes.
A question regarding those who deal in riba (usury or interest). He says: If we advise them and they do not accept the advice, is it permissible for us to warn their wives and children against them? And is it permissible to publicize them secretly among people and mention their names to the community so that the community warns itself against them?
Answer:
This depends on the crimes. Crimes differ. If their crimes are major and serious, there is no harm in making their matter clear so that people warn themselves against them. Also, it is necessary to disapprove of them openly by reporting their case to the authorities, to the bodies that enjoin good and forbid evil, and to the centers of the bodies responsible for hisbah (supervision of public morals).
The authority is to be informed about their case. As for if their crimes are less than that, he should advise them. And whenever it is possible to cover up the Muslim’s fault, whenever it is possible to cover up the Muslim’s fault while advising him, it is obligatory. The saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)
And whoever covers (the faults of) a Muslim, Allah will cover (his faults) for him
من ستر على مسلم ستره الله(125) Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided. (126) And if you punish [an enemy, O believers], punish with an equivalent of that with which you were harmed. But if you are patient - it is better for those who are patient.
ادْعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ وَجَادِلْهُم بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَن ضَلَّ عَن سَبِيلِهِ وَهُوَ أَعْلَمُ بِالْمُهْتَدِينَ وَإِنْ عَاقَبْتُمْ فَعَاقِبُوا بِمِثْلِ مَا عُوقِبْتُم بِهِ وَلَئِن صَبَرْتُمْ لَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لِّلصَّابِرِينَThis requires insight, knowledge, and wisdom. And harshness toward those who deserve harshness, and severity toward those who deserve severity. This varies according to the people. Yes.
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، محاضرات في العقيدة والدعوة-026-الربا وخطره|صالح الفوزان|كبار العلماء — youtube.com (1:37:35)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.