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Fatwa CenterNecessity to observe criteria of forbidding evil
Question
My brothers watch pornographic programs without the knowledge of my father. However, my mother encourages them to do so. I do not want to tell my father so as not to cause problems between him and my mother. Do I share in the guilt incurred?
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.
Undoubtedly, a Muslim is ordered to forbid evil; The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, 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, informed that this is the weakest level of faith. [Muslim]
However, he should observe the criteria of forbidding evil; for example, forbidding the evil should not lead to a greater evil. If informing your father about this matter will lead to a greater evil, then you should not tell him.
Instead, you should do your best to offer advice to your mother and brothers, and disapprove of their act with your tongue and heart. You should be polite when you forbid your mother from doing so. You should also try to make them watch constructive programs that coincide with the rules of Sharee‘ah. Try to guide them to entertaining, cultural programs through any other available medium as an alternative to watching these pornographic programs. Strive to be a good example for them in righteousness and steadfastness.
May Allaah The Almighty grant us and you steadfastness in His religion.
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