When is a sinner boycotted?
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The questioner : The Shaykh, may Allah reward you: What is the criterion for boycotting a sinner whose sin is not publicly known to people, if there is a benefit in boycotting him?
The Shaykh : This criterion is:
The criterion for boycotting a sinner is that if there is a benefit in it such that it deters the sinner from his sin, then boycott him. But if there is no benefit in it, then boycotting him is forbidden, because the sinner is a believer, even if he has committed what he has committed of major sins, except for disbelief; if he disbelieves, then he is excused. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 2560a, so do not boycott him.
And because some sinners, if you boycott them, increase in their sin and also come to dislike you, and they do not accept any advice from you. But if boycotting him is beneficial, such as if he is one of the sons or one of the brothers and he respects you, and if you boycott him he deters, then here boycott him until he deters. If the expectation is not fulfilled, meaning that you boycotted him but he did not deter, then return and greet him, and do not forget the advice.
The Shaykh : This criterion is:
The criterion for boycotting a sinner is that if there is a benefit in it such that it deters the sinner from his sin, then boycott him. But if there is no benefit in it, then boycotting him is forbidden, because the sinner is a believer, even if he has committed what he has committed of major sins, except for disbelief; if he disbelieves, then he is excused. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
It is not permissible for a Muslim to have estranged relations with his brother beyond three nights, the one turning one way and the other turning the other way when they meet; the better of the two is one who is the first to give a greeting.
لا يحل لمسلم أن يهجر أخاه فوق ثلاث، يلتقيان فيعرض هذا ويعرض هذا وخيرهما الذي يبدؤ بالسلامAnd because some sinners, if you boycott them, increase in their sin and also come to dislike you, and they do not accept any advice from you. But if boycotting him is beneficial, such as if he is one of the sons or one of the brothers and he respects you, and if you boycott him he deters, then here boycott him until he deters. If the expectation is not fulfilled, meaning that you boycotted him but he did not deter, then return and greet him, and do not forget the advice.