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Rejecting sin by one’s heart is not enough when more can be done

Question

I often feel angry because people disobey Allaah The Almighty. This leads me to think ill of anyone I see. What should I do?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.

May Allaah greatly reward you for your anger and for disapproving of evildoings by your heart. Allaah Says (what means): {And whoever honors the symbols of Allaah - indeed, it is from the piety of hearts.}[Quran 22:32] The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, swore by Allaah that if we do not enjoin good and forbid evil, Allaah will send a punishment upon us. Then, we will supplicate Him and He will not accept our supplications. [At-Tirmithi] The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) ordered the one who sees an evil to change it physically with his hand if he was able to do so. If he could not, he should change it by his tongue (by advising and/or condemning), and finally by (detesting it with) his heart, and he,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) informed that this is the weakest level of faith. [Muslim]

Therefore, we advise you not to be content with just disapproving with your heart when people neglect the rights of Allaah as long as you are able to do more. You should exert every effort to advise those who neglect in worshipping The Lord of the worlds. You should begin with those you are responsible for, such as your wife and children. Then you should advise your relatives, neighbors, friends and others. Use every available means to convey the religion of Allaah to them, through discussions or by giving them tapes and booklets. It is important that you show that you pity them and care about them.

You should know that you are in a battle against Satan and that he will not stop inciting them and beautifying evildoing in their eyes.

Finally, it should be noted that it is impermissible to think ill of Muslims. You can rid yourself of such feelings in several ways such as learning the texts that prove it to be prohibited. For further benefit, please refer to Fatwa 89109.

Allaah Knows best.

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