What is the ruling on one who maintains ties with his relatives and sits in their gatherings that are full of evil, such as television, smoking, and backbiting?
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The questioner : May Allah benefit Islam and the Muslims through you, O honorable Shaykh. Is it permissible for a Muslim, when visiting his relatives and kin, to sit in their gatherings that are full of evil, such as television with satellite channels, smoking, playing forbidden cards, shaving beards, letting garments hang below the ankles, backbiting, lying, and so on? If he maintains ties with them, the situation is as I described; if he leaves them, it is severing the tie of kinship. What should he do, knowing that there is no one else in his place to offer advice and remind them of Allah? Please inform us in light of this question. May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : As for participating with them in sin, it is not permissible, because a person cannot corrupt himself in order to reform others. And Allah the Exalted said:[An-Nisa 4:140] But it is known that they will not remain engaged in these evils all the time. They will have free time, such as the time of dinner or lunch. For example, he can go to them at that time and maintain ties with them, unless he comes to them while they are engaged in these evils for the sake of advice. In that case, there is no harm in coming for the sake of advice and saying, "Look at this and look at that; I know." As for your example regarding shaving the beard and letting garments hang below the ankles: if it is at the time of shaving, it is not permissible. But if he has already shaved and left, it is like the smell of smoke in the mouth of a smoker. Suppose a person smokes and you visit him after he is finished, and only the smell remains. Do we say that you are now participating in his sin? No. This is the same case: shaving the beard and letting the garment hang. However, when the forbidden act is being performed, do not sit, no matter what, except as I told you: if the intention is advice, then there is no harm...
The questioner : All the times.
The Shaykh : Never, at any time. This is what is correct.
The questioner : ... The gathering is always active.
The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah. Visit them at another time. I mean, the gathering is always active. Yes, in any case, regarding maintaining ties of kinship: if they cannot be found except in this state of evil, do not visit them. Do not visit them. Contact them by telephone, contact them by writing.
The Shaykh : As for participating with them in sin, it is not permissible, because a person cannot corrupt himself in order to reform others. And Allah the Exalted said:
And it has already come down to you in the Book that when you hear the verses of Allah [recited], they are denied [by them] and ridiculed; so do not sit with them until they enter into another conversation
وقد نزل عليكم في الكتاب أن إذا سمعتم آيات الله يكفر بها ويستهزأ بها فلا تقعدوا معهم حتى يخوضوا في حديث غيرهThe questioner : All the times.
The Shaykh : Never, at any time. This is what is correct.
The questioner : ... The gathering is always active.
The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah. Visit them at another time. I mean, the gathering is always active. Yes, in any case, regarding maintaining ties of kinship: if they cannot be found except in this state of evil, do not visit them. Do not visit them. Contact them by telephone, contact them by writing.