Fatwa

  1. Fatwa
  2. Religions, Sects and Da'wah (Call to Islam)
  3. Da'wah and its Means
  4. Enjoining good and forbidding evil

Uttering the truth is required within capacity
Fatwa No: 18920

Question

How can I tell the truth in these times we live in, where the only way to deal with people is with hypocrisy and deceit?

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.

 

A person has to tell the truth even if people dislike it. Allaah Says (what means):

{Enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, [all] that is of the matters [requiring] determination.} [Quran 31:17]
{And [mention, O Muhammad], when Allaah took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture, [saying], "You must make it clear to the people and not conceal it."} [Quran 3:187]
Allaah Says about the believers (what means): {They strive in the cause of Allaah and do not fear the blame of a critic.} [Quran 5:54]
{And when you testify, be just, even if [it concerns] a near relative.} [Quran 6:152] 

The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to include this requirement in the oaths of allegiance that he took from the Companions . It is reported on the authority of ‘Ubaadah Ibn As-Saamit that the Companions of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, gave him oaths of allegiance that they would say the truth wherever they were without fearing blame from anyone. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

 

In this regard, An-Nawawi explained the following:

 

Enjoining good and forbidding evil should be practiced with all people regardless of age, time and location. It should never be forsaken on the account of anyone. In exercising it, none should be feared except Allaah, even if the person whom we are advising is a president or a leader.
Scholars are unanimous that this is a duty that may be fulfilled by a number of Muslims on the behalf of the rest.
If harm to self, others, or property is feared, changing by hand ceases to be a duty, but the evil still has to be detested by heart.

Allaah Knows best.

 

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