What is the method of advising one who openly commits sins?
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Q: A message arrived from Kuwait, sent by someone complaining about a brother of his. He says that he commits some sins, and although he has advised him many times, the matter has led him to open defiance. He seeks guidance on this issue.
A: It is obligatory for Muslims to advise one another and cooperate in righteousness and piety, and to enjoin one another to do what is right and be patient with it, as Allah the Exalted said: [Al-Ma'idah: 2] And He, the Exalted, said: Indeed, man is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience. [Al-'Asr: 1-3] And the noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: It was asked, "O Messenger of Allah, who?" He said: Sahih Muslim 55a Imam Muslim recorded it in his Sahih. These two verses, along with the noble hadith, all indicate the obligation of mutual advice, cooperation in good, and enjoining one another to truth.
So, if a Muslim sees in his brother negligence regarding what Allah has made obligatory upon him, or the commission of what Allah has forbidden him, he must advise him, enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong; so that society is reformed, good becomes apparent, and evil disappears, as Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: : [At-Tawbah: 71] And the noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sahih Muslim 49a Imam Muslim recorded it in his Sahih.
So, you, O questioner, since you have advised him and directed him to good, but that only increased his open display of sin, you should boycott him and not take him as a companion. You should encourage others who may have an influence on him, or whom he may respect more, to advise him and call him to Allah, perhaps Allah will benefit through that. And if you see that boycotting him increases his evil, and that your connection with him is more beneficial for his religion and reduces his evil, then do not boycott him; because the purpose of boycotting is treatment, so it is a medicine. If it does not benefit but rather increases the disease, then you do what is best, which is to maintain contact with him and repeat the advice, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, without taking him as a companion or intimate friend, perhaps Allah will benefit through that. And this is the best that has been said on this matter by the scholars of knowledge (may Allah have mercy on them).
A: It is obligatory for Muslims to advise one another and cooperate in righteousness and piety, and to enjoin one another to do what is right and be patient with it, as Allah the Exalted said:
And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.
وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَلا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِBy Time,
وَالْعَصْرِ The religion is sincere advice
الدين النصيحةTo Allah, to His Book, To His Messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and their masses.
لله ولكتابه ولرسوله ولأئمة المسلمين وعامتهمSo, if a Muslim sees in his brother negligence regarding what Allah has made obligatory upon him, or the commission of what Allah has forbidden him, he must advise him, enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong; so that society is reformed, good becomes apparent, and evil disappears, as Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) said: :
The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong
وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِHe 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 منكرا فليغيره بيده، فإن لم يستطع فبلسانه، فإن لم يستطع فبقلبه، وذلك أضعف الإيمانSo, you, O questioner, since you have advised him and directed him to good, but that only increased his open display of sin, you should boycott him and not take him as a companion. You should encourage others who may have an influence on him, or whom he may respect more, to advise him and call him to Allah, perhaps Allah will benefit through that. And if you see that boycotting him increases his evil, and that your connection with him is more beneficial for his religion and reduces his evil, then do not boycott him; because the purpose of boycotting is treatment, so it is a medicine. If it does not benefit but rather increases the disease, then you do what is best, which is to maintain contact with him and repeat the advice, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, without taking him as a companion or intimate friend, perhaps Allah will benefit through that. And this is the best that has been said on this matter by the scholars of knowledge (may Allah have mercy on them).
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.