Can Someone With a Sinful Past Call Others to Good?

Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch

Question

I neglected my obligations as a Muslim for the first 22 years of my life. I lived without guidance and committed major sins. Alhamdulillah, Allah Most High guided me and blessed my life.

I’ve fully left my old self and embraced Islam wholeheartedly. I’m seeking knowledge now, but I have this doubt about how I can ever teach anyone about this deen, given how I used to be.

How can I overcome this barrier inside of me that’s stopping me from enjoying good and forbidding evil? Maybe a part of me is afraid I will be exposed when trying to preach Islam.

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

Having a sinful past does not disqualify one from the role of commanding the good and forbidding the evil.

Many of the righteous throughout Islamic history committed major sins prior to repenting and being guided by Allah Most High.

Sayyiduna ʿUmar ibn al-Khattab (Allah be pleased with him) opposed Islam before becoming one of its greatest defenders. The matter is not about who has the cleanest past, but rather who turns back to Allah in sincere repentance.

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The one who repents from sin is like one who has no sin.” [Ibn Majah]

Your past should not be considered a barrier to benefiting others. Rather, your experience may even allow you to benefit people whom others cannot.

A person who has experienced the darkness of sin and then tasted the sweetness of guidance often possesses insights and practical advice that can be of great benefit to others struggling with similar challenges.

Your recognition of your past and your fear of being a hypocrite are generally signs of humility, not hypocrisy.

A true hypocrite is not usually concerned about the state of their sincerity or whether they are falling short with Allah Most High.

Fear of Being Called a Hypocrite

Fear of being labeled a hypocrite for encouraging others to leave sins that one once engaged in is a natural human emotion.

However, commanding the good and forbidding the evil is an act of worship, and in some situations, an obligation. Like all acts of worship, it should be done sincerely for the sake of Allah Most High.

Allah Most High describes the believers by saying:

“…and who strive in God’s way without fearing anyone’s reproach.” [Quran 5:54]

Although this can be difficult, one should strive to act sincerely for Allah’s sake and not allow the fear of criticism، whether real or imagined, to prevent them from doing what is pleasing to Him.

Commanding the Good and Forbidding the Evil

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“Whoever amongst you sees a wrong, let him change it with his hand; if he is unable, then with his tongue; if he is unable, then with his heart—and that is the weakest of faith.” [Muslim]

From this narration, scholars derived that correcting wrongdoing is a communal obligation when one has the ability to do so. If only one person can stop a particular wrong, the obligation falls on that individual personally. [Munāwī, Sharḥ al-Arbaʿīn al-Nawawiyya]

The scholars explain that changing a wrong with one’s hand refers to direct intervention when appropriate and beneficial. If one cannot do so physically, they may speak out against it or seek assistance from someone who can intervene. If even that is not possible, they must reject the wrongdoing in their heart and disassociate themselves from it inwardly. [Ibid.]

However, this obligation is subject to conditions. Among them are:

• That one reasonably believes their intervention will not lead to a greater evil.
• That the objection will not cause more harm than benefit.
• That the matter being objected to is clearly and unanimously considered sinful.
• That one does not fear significant harm to themselves as a result of intervening. [Ibid.]

Moving Forward

Teaching, encouraging, and commanding the good are all righteous deeds and, at times, obligations. There is no condition that one must be sinless before engaging in them. If that were the case, very few people would be qualified to remind others of Allah.

Rather, one should continue striving to repent, seek sacred knowledge, rectify their own shortcomings, and benefit others to the best of their ability. A person should never present themselves as perfect or free of faults.

Instead, they should invite others to Allah while recognizing their own need for His mercy and guidance.

Do not allow the sins of your past to prevent you from fulfilling the good that Allah has now opened for you.

What matters is not who you were before Allah guided you, but who you are striving to become through sincere repentance, obedience, and service to His religion.

Hope this helps

Allah knows best

[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Related Answers

What Are the Criteria for Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil? — Explains the conditions, wisdom, and proper etiquette required when commanding good and forbidding evil in Islam.

Can I Call Others to Islam While Struggling With My Own Sins? — Explains that personal sins do not prevent one from encouraging good and benefiting others.

Should Someone Leave Teaching Islam Because of Personal Sins? — Discusses balancing repentance with continuing beneficial religious work.

Can a Sinful Person Enjoin Good and Forbid Evil? — Clarifies that commanding good remains obligatory even for one struggling with sin.

How Does One Repent From Repeated Sins? — Explains sincere tawba, persistence in repentance, and hope in Allah’s mercy.

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he went on to study at Darul Uloom Seminary in New York and completed his studies in Darul Mustafa in Tarim, Yemen. There he completed the memorization of the Qur’an and his study of the Islamic Sciences. Throughout his years of study he was blessed to learn from many great scholars: al-Habib Umar bin Hafiz, al-Habib Kazhim al-Saqqaf, al-Shaykh Umar bin Husayn al-Khatib, and others. Upon returning, he joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.