What is your guidance for one who sees what is wrong but does not forbid it?
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The questioner : I say, O Shaykh: Some people see some of what is wrong and do not forbid it. For example, they might see someone smoking or someone listening to singing, and their hearts grieve over it with pain, but despite this, they do not dare—may Allah forgive us and him—to say to the smoker: "Fear Allah," or to speak to him with wisdom and good admonition. Rather, they remain silent. Is there any guidance for such brothers? And unfortunately, there are quite a few of them. We ask Allah for guidance and success for us and for them.
The Shaykh : In any case, he is falling short because he does not forbid what is wrong. But sometimes the wrong may be widespread, meaning that everyone around him is smoking. Does he stand up to every single one of them? First, there is something of a burden on him in doing so, and there is a possibility that they will mock him, gather against him, and reject his words. Also, doing so may cause him to miss out on benefits. However, if he finds, for example, one person in the market, he should take him and say: "My brother, this is not permissible." But sometimes, if the smoker sees you, he knows that he has fallen into what is wrong, respects you, and hides it. Do we say: Is this sufficient in place of your advising him? It might be said: It is sufficient, because the man knows that you disapprove of this thing, and for that reason he is ashamed of you and hides it. It might also be said: Now is the opportunity to guide him and say: "My brother, if you are ashamed of me now, then your shame before Allah is more worthy. Allah is more deserving of being feared than anyone else." And this is an opportunity for you to call him to Allah. The important thing is that it is obligatory for a person to enjoin good and forbid evil to the best of his ability.[At-Taghabun 64:16] Yes, the last one.
The questioner : O Shaykh, some people now proceed to the graves and place some colors at the gravesites, or some markers, cutting iron or wood, in order to distinguish a grave, such as his father's grave, for example, when visiting.
The Shaykh : Yes, repeat the question.
The Shaykh : In any case, he is falling short because he does not forbid what is wrong. But sometimes the wrong may be widespread, meaning that everyone around him is smoking. Does he stand up to every single one of them? First, there is something of a burden on him in doing so, and there is a possibility that they will mock him, gather against him, and reject his words. Also, doing so may cause him to miss out on benefits. However, if he finds, for example, one person in the market, he should take him and say: "My brother, this is not permissible." But sometimes, if the smoker sees you, he knows that he has fallen into what is wrong, respects you, and hides it. Do we say: Is this sufficient in place of your advising him? It might be said: It is sufficient, because the man knows that you disapprove of this thing, and for that reason he is ashamed of you and hides it. It might also be said: Now is the opportunity to guide him and say: "My brother, if you are ashamed of me now, then your shame before Allah is more worthy. Allah is more deserving of being feared than anyone else." And this is an opportunity for you to call him to Allah. The important thing is that it is obligatory for a person to enjoin good and forbid evil to the best of his ability.
So fear Allah as much as you are able
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْThe questioner : O Shaykh, some people now proceed to the graves and place some colors at the gravesites, or some markers, cutting iron or wood, in order to distinguish a grave, such as his father's grave, for example, when visiting.
The Shaykh : Yes, repeat the question.