Wisdom in Forbidding What Is Wrong

There are some people, O Shaykh, who are eager to call others to Islam, but they find it difficult to forbid evil, especially when it involves relatives or some of the sinful among the Muslims.Meaning: The issue is that he asks: Is it obligatory for me to forbid evil every time I see this person committing an evil, such as being in a gathering where their custom is to be innovators and those who let their garments hang below the ankles? Is it required that he forbid the evil in this case?And if he forbids, he says: Some awkwardness arises between me and them, and I want to ease their hearts, so I delay forbidding the evil until a later time. Is this acceptable, or is he obligated to forbid the evil?The Shaykh: I say that Allah the Exalted has outlined the path for us,So he said: [Surah al-Nahl: 125] .
Is it wise that every time you see a person in sin, you advise him—for example, regarding shaving the beard or smoking? Perhaps you do not find him smoking, but if he sees you, he will not smoke. However, regarding shaving the beard, you know this man has shaved his beard. You advised him the first time, then a month or two passed and you found him still with a shaved beard. After a month or two, you might repeat it. Should you advise him every time you see him? This is not wise, because he will become bored and tired. So when you see that there is a place for admonition, admonish him. Therefore, we must always remember the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Surah al-A'la: 9] .
This condition must be taken into account. Sometimes the reminder does not benefit but rather harms. The intention is to reform people, not to extinguish one's own zeal. A person has zeal in his heart and dislikes every sin, but is the intention that you extinguish your zeal by forbidding evil, or that you reform others by forbidding evil?
The latter. Therefore, we find physical medicine; you find, for example, the doctor attending to this patient who has a foul smell and an ugly appearance, but for the sake of benefit. You find that he cuts open the corrupt matter for the sake of benefit. So you look at the benefit. We cannot set a fixed rule, because people differ. But if the benefit lies in calling to Islam and forbidding evil, do it; otherwise, remain silent until another time. Therefore, the first thing the Messenger was commanded to do was to warn, and Allah said to him: [Surah al-Shu'ara: 214] Then the call began to expand until it ended, after the Messenger migrated, with fighting the enemies.