The Duty of Officials in Government Departments Toward Sinners Who Fall Short

Question:
His Eminence Shaykh Abdul Aziz ibn Baz (may Allah preserve him), peace be upon you and His mercy and blessings, and after that:
I am responsible for one of the government departments, which deals with a large sector of the citizens. Many people with apparent sins come to me, such as those who shave their beards and those who smoke, and so on. So, is it obligatory for me to guide them, or should I stick to the etiquette of the job as is customary? Please give us a ruling, may Allah reward you.

Answer:
It is not part of the etiquette of the job to leave off forbidding what is wrong. Rather, it is upon you to guide, to speak kindly, and to forbid what is wrong in the manner that you see—may Allah will it—will benefit these people and others. It is not among the etiquettes of the job to leave off forbidding what is wrong; that is a mistake. Rather, forbidding what is wrong is among the etiquettes of the job. You are an employee in a Muslim state, not in a disbeliever’s state.
So, forbidding what is wrong and calling to good are among the etiquettes of the job. This is how the believer should be: strong, courageous in good, and bold in the interests of the Muslims. And if you see what is wrong, forbid it in a good manner: “My brother, fear Allah. My brother, this is not permissible. My brother, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said such and such about this.” And your presence in the job helps in the acceptance of your words as well, because people hope for your benefit, and perhaps this will help them in forbidding what is wrong and striving for good. Perhaps that will benefit you, and perhaps that will help in fulfilling your need.