What is the best method for forbidding evil?
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Question:
It is observed that many young people are enthusiastic about forbidding evil, but they do not do it well. What is your advice and guidance for these people? And what is the best method for forbidding evil?
Answer:
My advice to them is to be steady in the matter and to learn first, so that they are certain that this is what is right and this is what is wrong, so that they know it by evidence. Then, the forbidding should be done with gentleness, good words, and a good manner, so that it is accepted from them, and so that they do not cause more harm than they fix. For if one forbids with a harsh and violent manner, it is usually not accepted from him, and it leads to conflict between him and his companion. Then, the matter may drag on and be raised to the authorities, and he may be prevented from doing so because of his bad conduct and his bad behavior.
So, it is obligatory for the one who calls to Allah and enjoins good and forbids evil to take the straight path, with a good manner, with gentleness, with mercy, and with compassion. Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) says: : [Al Imran: 159]. He says: May Allah guide you, my brother, may Allah guide you. This speech is not permissible, this action is not permissible. My brother, fear Allah, leave this.
And Allah said to Musa and Harun (peace be upon them both) when He sent them to the cursed, tyrannical Pharaoh who says, "I am your supreme lord," what did He say to them? He said to them what you read in the Book of Allah: [Ta Ha: 44].
This is the good manner, while being one who acts upon what he says. He is known for knowledge and action, for a good biography, and for noble morals. And with that, he is gentle in speech in both enjoining and forbidding, so that his effects are good, and the outcome of what he does is praiseworthy, and so that others follow his good work, and so that Allah benefits the Muslim community through him. And it is with words: with verses and hadiths.
It is observed that many young people are enthusiastic about forbidding evil, but they do not do it well. What is your advice and guidance for these people? And what is the best method for forbidding evil?
Answer:
My advice to them is to be steady in the matter and to learn first, so that they are certain that this is what is right and this is what is wrong, so that they know it by evidence. Then, the forbidding should be done with gentleness, good words, and a good manner, so that it is accepted from them, and so that they do not cause more harm than they fix. For if one forbids with a harsh and violent manner, it is usually not accepted from him, and it leads to conflict between him and his companion. Then, the matter may drag on and be raised to the authorities, and he may be prevented from doing so because of his bad conduct and his bad behavior.
So, it is obligatory for the one who calls to Allah and enjoins good and forbids evil to take the straight path, with a good manner, with gentleness, with mercy, and with compassion. Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) says: :
So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter
فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ لِنْتَ لَهُمْ وَلَوْ كُنْتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لَانْفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ فَاعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِي الْأَمْرِAnd Allah said to Musa and Harun (peace be upon them both) when He sent them to the cursed, tyrannical Pharaoh who says, "I am your supreme lord," what did He say to them? He said to them what you read in the Book of Allah:
And speak to him with gentle speech that perhaps he may be reminded or fear [Allah]."
فَقُولَا لَهُ قَوْلًا لَيِّنًا لَعَلَّهُ يَتَذَكَّرُ أَوْ يَخْشَىThis is the good manner, while being one who acts upon what he says. He is known for knowledge and action, for a good biography, and for noble morals. And with that, he is gentle in speech in both enjoining and forbidding, so that his effects are good, and the outcome of what he does is praiseworthy, and so that others follow his good work, and so that Allah benefits the Muslim community through him. And it is with words: with verses and hadiths.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.