I read that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) rebuked the Companion who wore gold and tore it forcefully from his hand, and likewise the man who came seeking intercession through the Prophet
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The Shaykh : Repeat the question, may Allah reward you with good.
The questioner : I read that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) rebuked the Companion who wore gold and tore it forcefully from his hand, and likewise the man who came seeking intercession through the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was rebuked. And we find that with this Bedouin who urinated in the mosque, he did not rebuke him. The question: When is forbidding evil done with severity, and when is it done with gentleness? And is wisdom always with gentleness?
The Shaykh : Wisdom is not gentleness, and it is not severity. Wisdom is placing things in their proper places. And we have mentioned in the same guidance or discourse that it is befitting for the caller to Allah, and likewise for the one who enjoins good and forbids evil, to consider the state of the one being called, and the state of the one being commanded and forbidden. It may be wisdom to be severe with this person who is commanded, forbidden, or called.
But if the matter revolves between severity or gentleness, what do we use? If gentleness is the wisdom, we use gentleness. If severity is the wisdom, we use severity. If the matter revolves between wisdom being in gentleness or in severity, what do we do?
We use gentleness; this is the original rule. This is the principle that we should follow. So the man who wore the gold ring and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) tore it from his finger until he threw it and cast it away, and said:Sahih Muslim 2090. This situation required that he be treated this way, because forbidding men from gold, or from wearing gold, is a known matter, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) knew from the state of this man—and knowledge is with Allah—that there was something of negligence in him.
But if a person were seen wearing a gold ring, but he is ignorant and does not know the ruling, then this treatment is not used, or he is not treated with this treatment. Allah the Exalted said:[Al-'Ankabut 29:46] - What is it? - [Al-Baqarah 2:150]. So those who wronged from among the People of the Book, we do not argue with them in the best manner; we argue with them with the strongest, because of their wrongdoing.
The questioner : I read that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) rebuked the Companion who wore gold and tore it forcefully from his hand, and likewise the man who came seeking intercession through the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was rebuked. And we find that with this Bedouin who urinated in the mosque, he did not rebuke him. The question: When is forbidding evil done with severity, and when is it done with gentleness? And is wisdom always with gentleness?
The Shaykh : Wisdom is not gentleness, and it is not severity. Wisdom is placing things in their proper places. And we have mentioned in the same guidance or discourse that it is befitting for the caller to Allah, and likewise for the one who enjoins good and forbids evil, to consider the state of the one being called, and the state of the one being commanded and forbidden. It may be wisdom to be severe with this person who is commanded, forbidden, or called.
But if the matter revolves between severity or gentleness, what do we use? If gentleness is the wisdom, we use gentleness. If severity is the wisdom, we use severity. If the matter revolves between wisdom being in gentleness or in severity, what do we do?
We use gentleness; this is the original rule. This is the principle that we should follow. So the man who wore the gold ring and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) tore it from his finger until he threw it and cast it away, and said:
One of you is wishing live coal from Hell. and putting it on his hand.
يَعْمِدُ أَحَدُكُمْ إِلَى جَمْرَةٍ مِنْ نَارٍ فَيَضعها فِي يَدِهِBut if a person were seen wearing a gold ring, but he is ignorant and does not know the ruling, then this treatment is not used, or he is not treated with this treatment. Allah the Exalted said: