How do we respond to those who cite the saying of the Exalted, “O you who believe, look to yourselves; no harm will come to you from those who go astray if you are guided,” as evidence?

Question:
How do we respond to those who cite the saying of the Exalted, “O you who believe, look to yourselves; no harm will come to you from those who go astray if you are guided,” as evidence for the permissibility of leaving off enjoining good and forbidding evil?

Answer:
Answer: If one leaves off enjoining good and forbidding evil, is he guided? One is not considered guided except by one who enjoins good and forbids evil. For this reason, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “O people, you recite this verse and interpret it other than its interpretation. And I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say: You will surely enjoin good and forbid evil, and you will surely take hold of the hand of the foolish man and force him to the truth, or Allah will strike the hearts of some of you against others, and then He will curse you as He cursed them.” He meant the Children of Israel: “Cursed were those who disbelieved among the Children of Israel by the tongue of David and 'Isa, the son of Mary. That was because they disobeyed and used to transgress. They used not to forbid one another what they did of evil.” This is the reason why enjoining good and forbidding evil is necessary. However, if you see people upon misguidance, as some people say, “Everyone is like this, so let us be with them. I am free from it, and I will go along with the people,” we say: No. “Look to yourselves; no harm will come to you from those who go astray.” Their misguidance is upon them, and your error is upon you, so do not be deceived by what is upon the people. This is the intended meaning of the verse. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said regarding this verse: “When you see a desire being followed, a greed being obeyed, and every person of opinion being pleased with his own opinion, then look to yourself and leave the common people alone. Do not be swept away with the people. This is the meaning of the verse: that you do not get swept away with the people. Hold fast to yourself. As for enjoining good and forbidding evil, it is necessary with the ability to do so: “Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; if he cannot, then with his tongue; if he cannot, then with his heart, and that is the weakest of faith.”