Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu. I recently read many of your fatwas in regards to certain disturbing subjects, such as incest, and many others, and brothers and sisters admitting to committing these sins. It made me realize as I read that our ummah is in a horrific state, engaging in some acts that are filthy and are not part of our history. Could this be seen as a punishment from Allaah, The Exalted, for us not adhering to what is from the Qur'an and sunnah as a nation? May Allaah bless you.

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 is His slave and Messenger.

First of all, we ask Allaah guidance and chastity for the whole of our nation. We cannot authoritatively assert that what you mentioned is the cause of these calamities, but by not adhering to what is in the Quran and the Sunnah, Allaah may punish the people who do so with misguidance and deviation. Some righteous predecessors said, "The sign of a good deed is a good deed after it, and the sign of a bad deed is a bad deed after it." The evidence about this is in the Quran; Allaah says (what means): {And when they deviated, Allaah caused their hearts to deviate.} [Quran 61:5] Allaah also says (what means): {In their hearts is disease, so Allaah has increased their disease.} [Quran 2:10]

Shaykh Ibn Taymiyah said in al-Majmoo’:

“Abandoning the obligation [waajib] is a cause for committing what is forbidden; Allaah says (what means): {And from those who say, 'We are Christians,' We took their covenant; but they forgot a portion of that of which they were reminded. So We caused among them animosity and hatred until the Day of Resurrection.} [Quran 5:14] This is a text about them abandoning some of what they were ordered to do, and when they had abandoned it, this was a reason for the occurrence of enmity and hatred that are forbidden; this is a proof that abandoning the waajib (obligation) was a reason for committing what is forbidden, such as hatred and enmity.”

Shaykh Ibn Taymiyyah also said:

“Acting according to the requirement of the knowledge (that one has acquired) makes that knowledge confirmed in one’s memory [in a way that one does not forget it] and it makes it firm, but acting contrarily to one’s knowledge weakens that knowledge; rather, this may make one forget it all; Allaah says (what means): {And when they deviated, Allaah caused their hearts to deviate.} [Quran 61:5] Allaah also says (what means): {And We will turn away their hearts and their eyes just as they refused to believe in it the first time. And We will leave them in their transgression, wandering blindly.} [Quran 6:110] Allaah further says (what means): {But if they had done what they were instructed, it would have been better for them and a firmer position [for them in faith]. And then We would have given them from Us a great reward. And We would have guided them to a straight path.} [Quran 4:66-68]”

Shaykh Ibn Taymiyyah also said:

“Among the ways with which Allaah punishes the people for their sins is when guidance and beneficial knowledge are taken away from them; Allaah says (what means): {…and their saying, “Our hearts are wrapped”. Rather, Allaah has sealed them because of their disbelief…} [Quran 4:155]; Allaah also says (what means): {And what will make you perceive that even if a sign came, they would not believe.} [Quran 6:109] In another verse, Allaah says (what means): {And when they deviated, Allaah caused their hearts to deviate.} [Quran 61:5]”

Among the treatment for this is what follows: the students of knowledge should be active in enlightening the people about their religion and making them understand it, and they should make targheeb (encouraging people to do good by mentioning Allaah’s promises and rewards) and tarheeb (warning people from evil by mentioning Allaah’s threats and punishments) with the texts of the revelations and clarify the benefits of obedience and the danger of committing sin to the people. Ignorance and abandoning enjoining good and forbidding evil are the most serious causes of the spread of sins and immorality, and these are the reasons for the punishment of Allaah. Allaah says (what means): {And fear a trial which will not strike those who have wronged among you exclusively, and know that Allaah is severe in penalty.} [Quran 8:25]

The Prophet said, “When people see an oppressor but do not prevent him from doing evil, it is likely that Allaah will punish them all.” Another narration reads: “If acts of disobedience are done among any people and they do not change them even though they are able to do so, then Allaah will soon smite them all with punishment.” [Ahmad, Abu Daawood and At-Tirmithi and Ibn Maajah - Al-Albaani classified it as Saheeh (sound)]

The Prophet also said, “When zina (fornicatiion/adultery) and riba (interest) become rampant in the people of a town, they themselves invite the Punishment of Allaah.” [At-Tabaraani and others - Al-Albaani classified it as Saheeh]

Allaah knows best.