Denying what is wrong according to one's ability
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Question: I am a girl living in the dormitory with the female students. Allah has guided me to the truth, and I have held firmly to it, praise be to Allah. However, I am greatly distressed by the sins and wrongdoings I see around me, especially from some of my fellow students, such as listening to songs, backbiting, and talebearing. I have advised them many times, but some of them mock me and ridicule me, saying that I am neurotic. Your Eminence, I ask for your guidance: what should I do? May Allah reward you with good.
Answer: It is obligatory for you to deny what is wrong according to your ability, using kind words, gentleness, and good manners, while mentioning the verses and hadiths regarding this matter to the extent of your knowledge. Do not participate with them in songs, backbiting, or any other forbidden words or actions. Isolate yourself from them as much as possible until they move on to another topic, as Allah the Exalted said: [Surah al-An'am: 68].
And whenever you disapprove of their actions with your tongue to the best of your ability and keep away from their deeds, their actions and their criticism of you will not harm you, as Allah the Exalted said: [Al-Ma'idah: 105]. Thus, the Exalted made it clear that a believer is not harmed by one who goes astray if he adheres to the truth and remains steadfast upon guidance. This is by disapproving of what is wrong, standing firm upon the truth, and calling to it in a good manner. Allah will make for you a relief and a way out, and Allah will benefit them through your guidance if you are patient and seek reward, if Allah wills. So be glad of the great good and the excellent outcome as long as you remain steadfast upon the truth and disapprove of what contradicts it, as Allah the Exalted said: [Al-Qasas: 83]. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: [Hud: 49]. And the Exalted said: [Al-'Ankabut: 69].
May Allah guide you to what pleases Him, grant you patience and steadfastness, and guide your sisters, your family, and your fellow students to what He loves and is pleased with. Indeed, He is the All-Hearing, the Near One, and He is the Guide to the straight path.
Answer: It is obligatory for you to deny what is wrong according to your ability, using kind words, gentleness, and good manners, while mentioning the verses and hadiths regarding this matter to the extent of your knowledge. Do not participate with them in songs, backbiting, or any other forbidden words or actions. Isolate yourself from them as much as possible until they move on to another topic, as Allah the Exalted said:
And when you see those who engage in [offensive] discourse concerning Our verses, then turn away from them until they enter into another conversation
وَإِذَا رَأَيْتَ الَّذِينَ يَخُوضُونَ فِي آيَاتِنَا فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ حَتَّى يَخُوضُوا فِي حَدِيثٍ غَيْرِهِAnd whenever you disapprove of their actions with your tongue to the best of your ability and keep away from their deeds, their actions and their criticism of you will not harm you, as Allah the Exalted said:
O you who have believed, upon you is [responsibility for] yourselves. Those who have gone astray will not harm you when you have been guided. To Allah is you return all together; then He will inform you of what you used to do.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْفُسَكُمْ لا يَضُرُّكُمْ مَنْ ضَلَّ إِذَا اهْتَدَيْتُمْ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ جَمِيعًا فَيُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَAnd the final outcome is for the righteous.
وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَSo be patient; indeed, the [best] outcome is for the righteous.
فَاصْبِرْ إِنَّ الْعَاقِبَةَ لِلْمُتَّقِينَAnd those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.
وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمَعَ الْمُحْسِنِينَMay Allah guide you to what pleases Him, grant you patience and steadfastness, and guide your sisters, your family, and your fellow students to what He loves and is pleased with. Indeed, He is the All-Hearing, the Near One, and He is the Guide to the straight path.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.