How to Forbid Evil in a Gathering Where Backbiting Is Taking Place
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Question:
How should one forbid evil, and when there is a gathering where a person is being backbitten, is it sufficient to remain silent and not participate in the conversation, or is it obligatory for him to leave that gathering, especially if it is difficult to leave that place?
Answer:
It is obligatory for any man or woman who is present when evil is occurring to forbid the evil; because Allah the Exalted said: [Surah al-Tawbah: 71]. And He said: : [Surah Al Imran: 110]. And He said: : [Surah Al Imran: 104]. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sahih Muslim 49a Narrated by Muslim in the Sahih. This encompasses all men and women.
Forbidding evil involves saying: "This is evil," "This is not permissible," "Fear Allah, so-and-so!" "Fear Allah, O people!" "Leave this, this is not permissible for you," with the tongue if one is unable to do so with the hand. However, if one has the ability to do so with the hand, such as the hisbah (public authority) which was commanded to do so and permitted to do so, or the ruler who is able to do so, or the head of the household who forbids evil to his household and his children with his hand, such as pouring out intoxicants, breaking a flute, or breaking an image. This is forbidding evil with the hand: pouring out intoxicants, dispersing people who have gathered for falsehood, for evil; he disperses them and orders them to disperse so that the evil does not occur. If it is backbiting, one says: "This is forbidden, it is not permissible for you to backbite your brother or your sister in Allah. Backbiting is forbidden." And Allah the Exalted says: [Surah al-Hujurat: 12]. So if a woman or a man attends a gathering where backbiting is taking place, it is obligatory to forbid it with the ability to do so, and to say: "This is not permissible, this is forbidden, fear Allah, O people! Repent to Allah, return to Allah, leave the honor of your brothers and sisters." If one is unable to do so, he stands up and does not sit with the people of evil; he stands up from them and leaves the gathering where the evil is, which he is unable to change. If he is able, he speaks and forbids the evil with his words. If they respond and comply, praise be to Allah. Otherwise, he leaves the place and stays away from the place of evil. He is not permitted to change it with his hand in a way that leads to corruption and something more evil than the original evil. Rather, this is for others who have been authorized to do so by the state and by those responsible for this matter. As for one who has not been authorized, he forbids with his tongue and says: "Allah said: such and such," "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: such and such," if he has knowledge, if he is on clear guidance; he does not forbid except on clear guidance.
As for the ignorant person who does not know the ruling, he does not speak. But as long as he knows the ruling, and knows the Islamic legal ruling, he forbids with kind words, good manner, and establishing the evidence, so that perhaps Allah will guide through him the one who committed the evil, until he leaves the evil. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good.
How should one forbid evil, and when there is a gathering where a person is being backbitten, is it sufficient to remain silent and not participate in the conversation, or is it obligatory for him to leave that gathering, especially if it is difficult to leave that place?
Answer:
It is obligatory for any man or woman who is present when evil is occurring to forbid the evil; because Allah the Exalted said:
The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those - Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.
وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَيُطِيعُونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ أُوْلَئِكَ سَيَرْحَمُهُمُ اللَّهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌYou are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah.
كُنْتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِAnd let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful.
وَلْتَكُنْ مِنْكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَHe who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do it, then he should do it with his tongue, and if he has not strength enough to do it, (even) then he should (abhor it) from his heart, and that is the least of faith.
من رأى منكم منكرًا؛ فليغيره بيده، فإن لم يستطع؛ فبلسانه، فإن لم يستطع؛ فبقلبه، وذلك أضعف الإيمانForbidding evil involves saying: "This is evil," "This is not permissible," "Fear Allah, so-and-so!" "Fear Allah, O people!" "Leave this, this is not permissible for you," with the tongue if one is unable to do so with the hand. However, if one has the ability to do so with the hand, such as the hisbah (public authority) which was commanded to do so and permitted to do so, or the ruler who is able to do so, or the head of the household who forbids evil to his household and his children with his hand, such as pouring out intoxicants, breaking a flute, or breaking an image. This is forbidding evil with the hand: pouring out intoxicants, dispersing people who have gathered for falsehood, for evil; he disperses them and orders them to disperse so that the evil does not occur. If it is backbiting, one says: "This is forbidden, it is not permissible for you to backbite your brother or your sister in Allah. Backbiting is forbidden." And Allah the Exalted says:
or backbite each other
وَلا يَغْتَبْ بَعْضُكُمْ بَعْضًاAs for the ignorant person who does not know the ruling, he does not speak. But as long as he knows the ruling, and knows the Islamic legal ruling, he forbids with kind words, good manner, and establishing the evidence, so that perhaps Allah will guide through him the one who committed the evil, until he leaves the evil. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.