A mosque congregation that gathers in their meetings with those who do not maintain the congregational prayer: do they sin by sitting with them?
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The questioner : A mosque congregation gathers in their meetings with people who rarely attend the prayer, only at specific times. What is the ruling on gathering with them? Does a person sin if he gathers with them?
The Shaykh : Never. Rather, the people of the mosque who are diligent in prayer and those who are not should gather. In this lies a means of advising those who are not diligent so that they may become diligent. For if they were prevented from attending, they would only increase in hostility and hatred. A person must consider the future, because some people have jealousy and they dislike the one who commits sin, reject him, and boycott him, without knowing what consequences follow from this. It is obligatory for the one who enjoins good and forbids evil to look at the outcome. The Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) are the greatest example for us. In the Noble Qur'an, Allah the Exalted said:[Al-An'am 6:108] Even though cursing the gods of the polytheists is obligatory, it is prohibited out of fear that they might curse Allah.
And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) refrained from demolishing the Ka'bah and rebuilding it on the foundations of Ibrahim, because the people were recently converted from disbelief and he feared they would be led astray. In fact, he taught Mu'adh about the right of Allah over the servants and the right of the servants over Allah: So he ordered him to keep the knowledge secret, fearing that they would rely on this and not understand the intent of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him and his family). So it is obligatory for a person to look at the consequences.
For example, if we prevent these people from attending and boycott them, will they turn to the mosque? Or is the expectation the opposite? Answer, everyone!
The questioner : The expectation is the opposite.
The Shaykh : The expectation is undoubtedly the opposite. So we say: invite them, and if one of them is absent, we ask, "Why were you absent today?" So that hearts may unite and the intended goal may be achieved, if Allah wills. Yes?
The questioner : For example, in the gathering, we speak about what Allah said and what the Messenger said, and we also distribute tapes and booklets, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : But you see nothing but turning away, O Shaykh. Even when you go out to the mosque, they are at home, O Shaykh. In fact, some of them!
The Shaykh : Do not despair, do not despair. How long did Noah (peace and blessings be upon him) remain with his people?
A thousand years minus fifty years. And the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) remained in Makkah for how long? Thirteen years calling people. In the end, they forced him to migrate. Do not despair, O brothers. Then, from the people of Makkah, those who worship Allah (Mighty and Majestic) emerged. When the angel of the mountains came to him seeking permission or asking for his command to crush the two mountains upon them, he said: "No, I hope that Allah will bring forth from their loins those who worship Allah and associate nothing with Him." Look at how far-sighted the vision is.
So my opinion is that these people should be invited if they are absent, welcomed if they are present, and encouraged to do good. The uniting of hearts, O brothers, has a great significance in the Islamic Shari'ah; it is not a trivial matter. We ask Allah for success for us and for you in what He loves and is pleased with.
And Glory is to You, O Allah, our Lord, and praise. I bear witness that there is no deity but You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance. And peace be upon you all. There is no need for each one to greet me individually, because time is short.
The Shaykh : Never. Rather, the people of the mosque who are diligent in prayer and those who are not should gather. In this lies a means of advising those who are not diligent so that they may become diligent. For if they were prevented from attending, they would only increase in hostility and hatred. A person must consider the future, because some people have jealousy and they dislike the one who commits sin, reject him, and boycott him, without knowing what consequences follow from this. It is obligatory for the one who enjoins good and forbids evil to look at the outcome. The Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) are the greatest example for us. In the Noble Qur'an, Allah the Exalted said:
And do not insult those they invoke other than Allah, lest they insult Allah
ولا تسبّوا الذين يدعون من دون الله فيسبّوا اللهAnd the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) refrained from demolishing the Ka'bah and rebuilding it on the foundations of Ibrahim, because the people were recently converted from disbelief and he feared they would be led astray. In fact, he taught Mu'adh about the right of Allah over the servants and the right of the servants over Allah:
And that the right of the servants over Allah is that He will not punish one who associates nothing with Him. So he said, "Shall I inform the people?" He said, "Do not inform them."
وأنّ حقّ العباد على الله ألاّ يعذّب من لا يشرك به شيئا فقال ألا أخبر الناس؟ فقال: لا تخبرهمFor example, if we prevent these people from attending and boycott them, will they turn to the mosque? Or is the expectation the opposite? Answer, everyone!
The questioner : The expectation is the opposite.
The Shaykh : The expectation is undoubtedly the opposite. So we say: invite them, and if one of them is absent, we ask, "Why were you absent today?" So that hearts may unite and the intended goal may be achieved, if Allah wills. Yes?
The questioner : For example, in the gathering, we speak about what Allah said and what the Messenger said, and we also distribute tapes and booklets, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : But you see nothing but turning away, O Shaykh. Even when you go out to the mosque, they are at home, O Shaykh. In fact, some of them!
The Shaykh : Do not despair, do not despair. How long did Noah (peace and blessings be upon him) remain with his people?
A thousand years minus fifty years. And the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) remained in Makkah for how long? Thirteen years calling people. In the end, they forced him to migrate. Do not despair, O brothers. Then, from the people of Makkah, those who worship Allah (Mighty and Majestic) emerged. When the angel of the mountains came to him seeking permission or asking for his command to crush the two mountains upon them, he said: "No, I hope that Allah will bring forth from their loins those who worship Allah and associate nothing with Him." Look at how far-sighted the vision is.
So my opinion is that these people should be invited if they are absent, welcomed if they are present, and encouraged to do good. The uniting of hearts, O brothers, has a great significance in the Islamic Shari'ah; it is not a trivial matter. We ask Allah for success for us and for you in what He loves and is pleased with.
And Glory is to You, O Allah, our Lord, and praise. I bear witness that there is no deity but You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance. And peace be upon you all. There is no need for each one to greet me individually, because time is short.