How Do I Determine When to Forbid Wrongdoing?
Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch
Question
I witnessed free mixing and backbiting, but did not stop them due to fear or lack of knowledge on how to intervene. Did I commit a major sin, and how do I determine when to forbid wrongdoing?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
Criteria for Forbidding Evil
Forbidding wrongdoing is only obligatory when the following criteria are met:
1. It is a clear-cut issue whose prohibition is unanimously agreed upon
2. Objecting to those doing the act will likely lead to a change in behavior
3. Objecting will not lead to a worsening of behavior or any reciprocal harm [Ali Qari, Mirqat al-Mafatih]
Not Being Party to Sin
When one witnesses an agreed-upon sin being committed before them, they are not considered party to the sin if they dislike the action in their heart.
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever among you sees a wrong, let them change it with their hand; if they are unable, then let them change it with their words; and if they are (still) unable, then with their heart and that is the weakest of faith.” [Muslim]
Commenting on this narration, scholars deemed the final part ‘with the heart’ to mean that one dislikes this action in their heart and is not content with it. This, despite being a lower level than the two former levels, is still amongst the levels of faith. [Ali Qari, Mirqat al-Mafatih]
If one does not do any of the above and does not consider the act bad in their heart, they are party to the sin and must repent to Allah sincerely. Allah Most High accepts the repentance of those who are remorseful. [Ibid.]
Related
- Can You Clarify the Criteria for Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil?
- What Are the Criteria for Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil?
- Is One Being Nosy by Commanding the Good and Forbidding Evil?
Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Yusuf Weltch teaches Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he completed four years at the Darul Uloom Seminary in New York, where he studied Arabic and the traditional sciences.
He then traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he studied for three years in Dar al-Mustafa under some of the most outstanding scholars of our time, including Habib Umar Bin Hafiz, Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf, and Shaykh Umar al-Khatib.
In Tarim, Shaykh Yusuf completed the memorization of the Quran and studied beliefs, legal methodology, hadith methodology, Quranic exegesis, Islamic history, and several texts on spirituality. He joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.
