What is the way to deal with the widespread manifestations of evil?

Question:
In the present time, uncovering and free mixing have spread, especially in markets and public places. What is the position of the muhtasib (market inspector) regarding this? What is the appropriate path to eliminate these evils? And what is the role of the volunteer in this?

Answer:
The causes of these evils are silence and a lack of cooperation. The investigation with the state is ongoing. We ask Allah to grant success to the authority and help it to perform its duty. However, the silence of people, their overlooking of the issue, and their turning away are among the causes of the affliction. That is to say, the authority does not cover all people; it is not a sun that covers all people. First, there are few of them. Second, the evil is much. Third, some members may be weak in performing the duty for many reasons.
So, cooperation is obligatory. You have heard the verses: [At-Tawbah: 71]. Who takes you out of this verse? You, so-and-so, and you, so-and-so. What took you out of this verse? Are you a believer? Hold yourself to account. And so with your mother, your sister, and your wife. Who took them out? Why do you see evils in... those who sit with them, in their home, and on the road, and you do not say anything to them? What prevented her? Even if he replied to you, or if it was said: "It is not your concern? What harm does it do you?" Or if it was said: "You, so-and-so, what harm does it do you?" Did not the messengers precede you in this? Did they not precede you? You are preceded, you have a precedent to follow.
So, silence is the affliction, and turning away is the affliction. You find him seeing the woman who uncovers herself and saying nothing. He sees the smoker and says nothing to him. He sees the one who shaves his beard and says nothing to him. And so he remains silent. His brother next to him in the house does not pray, or his neighbor does not pray, and he says nothing to him. Why did he remain silent? You say: "He does not obey me." Even if they do not obey you, speak. But do not be alone. If it is possible, go you and two or three of your brothers. It is better for you, more beneficial for you, and stronger for the word.
And what harm is there if you all go and advise this one and that one? Or if you come out of the house, or from the school, or from the institute, or from the mosque as a group, and you walk around the market to enjoin good and forbid evil? It is not one person, but a group, so that they are feared. A group comes out, and the fool refrains from speaking, and the open sinner refrains. But one person may be bold with him. But if they are a group—three, four—they come out for this matter as a duty for Allah, from the mosque, from the house. They all come to such-and-such market, and such-and-such market, and such-and-such neighborhood, to forbid the evil and call to Allah. What is the obstacle? Did the state forbid it? The state does not forbid this. But with wisdom, good speech, and a good manner. It is not by fighting, not with women, not with men, and not with the disbeliever. Even the disbeliever does not have the right to display his symbol in our lands. Even the disbeliever knows by gesture or speech so that he understands. Or if it is possible for you to have with you someone who is proficient in English or another language, he is with you in walking around the Englishmen, around the Pakistanis, around the Indians, meaning: around the people of other languages.
The point is that I always advise that it not be one person. One person does not walk alone. They should be a group. This is braver for carrying out the command of Allah, more awe-inspiring to the sinner, and closer to success. This is what I advise everyone. But if it is one person, he forbids according to his ability. Even if he is one, he does not say: "I am one." But if it is possible for him to have a second or third or fourth or more with him, this is better. Two or three are more beneficial, four are more beneficial. So it is in visiting their brothers, advising them, and guiding them.