Fatwaa ID: 1736

Question:
‎اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللّٰـهِ وَبَرَكاتُهُ‎

Is it incumbent upon me to correct my Muslim classmate if he makes a mistake — curses, wears shorts / exposes awrah, ?

جزاك الله خيرا

Answer:
In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salaamu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullaahi wa-barakaatuh.

A right of a Muslim on another Muslim is that he enjoins upon him good and forbids from evil. This has been expressly stated in the Qur’aan and the Ahaadith. One Muslim supports the other by advising him and bringing him closer to Allaah Ta’aala. That is the demand of true brotherhood. He cannot stand seeing his brother doing wrong for which he will be accountable. That makes the Muslims the best of nations. Furthermore, correcting a wrong is an express command from Rasulullaah ﷺ. He ﷺ said,

من رأى منكم منكرا فليغيره بيده، فإن لم يستطع فبلسانه، فإن لم يستطع فبقلبه وذلك أضعف الإيمان
“Whoever of you witnesses a vice, he should change it with his hand. If he is unable to do that, then with his tongue. If he is unable to do that (as well), then with his heart (he should have the worry and concern of changing it), and that is the lowest (level) of imaan.” [Muslim]

Rasulullaah ﷺ also warned us that if we fail to enjoin upon good and forbid from evil, then a severe punishment from Allaah Ta’aala will soon come and our du’aas would not be accepted. The Bani Israeel were cursed because they would not forbid from evil.

When correcting or advising a person, it should be done with wisdom, sincerity and gentleness. Harshness must be avoided. Likewise, a person may need to be reminded multiple times before a change comes about. Patience and persistence is necessary.

And Allaah Ta’aala knows best.
Mufti Muajul I. Chowdhury
Darul Iftaa New York
https://askthemufti.us/

02/29/1445 AH – 09/15/2023 CE | AMG3-4141

وصل اللهم وسلم وبارك على سيدنا محمد وعلى ءاله وصحبه أجمعين

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