The Obligation of Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil upon Scholars
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Fatwa No. ( 1254 )
Q: Do the texts contained in the Noble Qur'an and the authentic Sunnah regarding enjoining good and forbidding evil, and the command to clarify and guide, indicate that this is an individual obligation (fard 'ayn) for every scholar, such that his conscience is not cleared except by doing so, or is it a collective obligation (fard kifayah) such that if some of them perform it, it is sufficient for the rest?
A: The ruling in this matter varies depending on the number of scholars, whether few or many, and their differences in knowledge and status. People may need the clarification of a Shari'ah ruling, and there may be only one scholar among them; in that case, it is an individual obligation (fard 'ayn) for him to answer the questioner, guide the confused, enjoin good, and forbid evil. Or there may be a large number of scholars among them, but only one of them is capable of clarification and guidance, or of enjoining and forbidding, either because of the breadth of his knowledge, the strength of his position, or his eloquence and clarity of expression; in that case, it is an individual obligation (fard 'ayn) for him to undertake clarification, advice, and enjoining and forbidding. Or there may be many scholars in the country, each of whom is capable of enjoining, forbidding, and clarifying; in that case, clarification is a collective obligation (fard kifayah) for them. If one of them performs what is required, it is lifted from the rest. If none of them performs it, they are all sinful.
And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.
Q: Do the texts contained in the Noble Qur'an and the authentic Sunnah regarding enjoining good and forbidding evil, and the command to clarify and guide, indicate that this is an individual obligation (fard 'ayn) for every scholar, such that his conscience is not cleared except by doing so, or is it a collective obligation (fard kifayah) such that if some of them perform it, it is sufficient for the rest?
A: The ruling in this matter varies depending on the number of scholars, whether few or many, and their differences in knowledge and status. People may need the clarification of a Shari'ah ruling, and there may be only one scholar among them; in that case, it is an individual obligation (fard 'ayn) for him to answer the questioner, guide the confused, enjoin good, and forbid evil. Or there may be a large number of scholars among them, but only one of them is capable of clarification and guidance, or of enjoining and forbidding, either because of the breadth of his knowledge, the strength of his position, or his eloquence and clarity of expression; in that case, it is an individual obligation (fard 'ayn) for him to undertake clarification, advice, and enjoining and forbidding. Or there may be many scholars in the country, each of whom is capable of enjoining, forbidding, and clarifying; in that case, clarification is a collective obligation (fard kifayah) for them. If one of them performs what is required, it is lifted from the rest. If none of them performs it, they are all sinful.
And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.