The Ruling on Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil

Question:
This questioner, Honorable Shaykh Abu 'Umar, says: Honorable Shaykh, tell us about the importance of enjoining good and forbidding evil, and what is the ruling on abandoning the enjoining of good and turning a blind eye to it?

Answer:
Enjoining good and forbidding evil are obligatory, and they are among the foundations of this religion, the foundations of creed. Enjoining good and forbidding evil are to be done as the Shari'ah requires, and it is according to one's ability, as the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: So the one who has authority, whether general, such as one appointed by the one in authority from the men of hisbah, or who has specific authority over his household, it is obligatory for him to forbid evil with his hand. And the one who does not have authority forbids evil with his tongue, if he is able, with knowledge and awareness, he forbids it with his tongue and clarifies that this is wrong and that this is forbidden and not permissible, and he warns against it. And if he does not know the ruling, he informs the authorities and the men of hisbah about the place, the time, and the people present in the place where the evil is. And if he is unable to forbid it with his tongue, he forbids it with his heart, he hates it, he hates its people, and he stays away from them.