The Obligation of Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil for the Near and the Distant
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A sister named Sami'ah 'Ammar from Basra is asking a set of questions, among which is a question about a sister of hers who says: She is in her fifties, and she has a son for whom she loves him so much that she overlooks many of his violations of religious commands and matters related to morals. She says that this is the case with many mothers and some fathers, and she asks for guidance in this matter if you would be so kind?
Answer: It is obligatory for the Muslim to fear Allah in himself, in his family, in his neighbors, and in all Muslims, and that is by calling them to Allah, enjoining them to do what is right, and forbidding them from doing what is wrong, and that no one should be deterred by the blame of a blamer in the cause of Allah. This is the obligation of every Muslim, so one should not leave enjoining good and forbidding evil because of kinship with a relative or love for a person. Rather, out of his love for him and his true maintenance of family ties for which he is rewarded, he should enjoin him to do what is right and forbid him from doing what is wrong, as He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: : [Al-An'am: 152]. So it is obligatory for the believer to fear Allah and fulfill the right that is upon him, even if it is with a close relative. He, the Exalted, says: [Al-Nisa: 135].
So it is obligatory for the believer to forbid what is wrong and to enjoin what is right with relatives and others, and to advise his relative and his non-relative. And if he is a relative, then among the most important matters is to advise him and guide him. This is greater than maintaining ties with wealth. If he maintains ties with him through wealth and is rewarded for maintaining family ties, then maintaining ties with him by guiding him to good, teaching him good, enjoining him to do what is right, and forbidding him from doing what is wrong is more important than maintaining ties with wealth. And this benefits him in this world and the Hereafter. So this woman, nor anyone else, should leave enjoining good and forbidding evil because of her love for her son, or her brother's son, or her sister's son, or others. Rather, she must enjoin good and forbid evil by the methods she sees as useful and effective, and by good means, so that she may succeed in her work, if Allah wills.
The presenter: So, is forbidding what is wrong part of good upbringing and compassion toward the children?
The Shaykh: Yes.. Yes, but by the methods you see as useful, not by violence and harshness. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.
Answer: It is obligatory for the Muslim to fear Allah in himself, in his family, in his neighbors, and in all Muslims, and that is by calling them to Allah, enjoining them to do what is right, and forbidding them from doing what is wrong, and that no one should be deterred by the blame of a blamer in the cause of Allah. This is the obligation of every Muslim, so one should not leave enjoining good and forbidding evil because of kinship with a relative or love for a person. Rather, out of his love for him and his true maintenance of family ties for which he is rewarded, he should enjoin him to do what is right and forbid him from doing what is wrong, as He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: :
And when you testify, be just, even if [it concerns] a near relative.
وَإِذَا قُلْتُمْ فَاعْدِلُوا وَلَوْ كَانَ ذَا قُرْبَىO you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ بِالْقِسْطِ شُهَدَاءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوْ عَلَى أَنفُسِكُمْ أَوِ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالأَقْرَبِينَ إِنْ يَكُنْ غَنِيًّا أَوْ فَقِيرًا فَاللَّهُ أَوْلَى بِهِمَاSo it is obligatory for the believer to forbid what is wrong and to enjoin what is right with relatives and others, and to advise his relative and his non-relative. And if he is a relative, then among the most important matters is to advise him and guide him. This is greater than maintaining ties with wealth. If he maintains ties with him through wealth and is rewarded for maintaining family ties, then maintaining ties with him by guiding him to good, teaching him good, enjoining him to do what is right, and forbidding him from doing what is wrong is more important than maintaining ties with wealth. And this benefits him in this world and the Hereafter. So this woman, nor anyone else, should leave enjoining good and forbidding evil because of her love for her son, or her brother's son, or her sister's son, or others. Rather, she must enjoin good and forbid evil by the methods she sees as useful and effective, and by good means, so that she may succeed in her work, if Allah wills.
The presenter: So, is forbidding what is wrong part of good upbringing and compassion toward the children?
The Shaykh: Yes.. Yes, but by the methods you see as useful, not by violence and harshness. 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.