Salam. I would like a ruling if it is permissible to look at a Sheikh of his family who are committing sins? If a person is a Sheikh he has to make sure that his own children and wife are conforming to Islamic rules?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

The question is not very clear, and thus we cannot give a direct answer to it. In any case, what we can say in general is that scholars, preachers, and other Muslims should be concerned about their wives and children before anyone else; they should teach them their religion and nurture them upon virtue.

Allah Says (what means):

• {And warn, [O Muhammad], your closest kindred.} [Quran 26:214]

• {And enjoin prayer upon your family [and people] and be steadfast therein.} [Quran 20:132]

• {O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded.} [Quran 66:6]

Ibn ‘Aashoor said in his book At-Tahreer wat-Tanweer:

“Allah’s admonition to the wives of the Prophet was a suitable occasion to warn the believers against being heedless of admonishing themselves and their families. The affection that they have for them should not prevent them from admonishing them even if this would result in some harm.” [End of quote]

The family of the preacher or scholar is a trust with him and he will be asked about them on the Day of Judgment. Allah Says (what means): {Allah instructs you concerning your children [i.e. their portions of inheritance]: for the male} [Quran 4:11]

Shaykh As-Si’di said in his Tafseer when commenting on this verse:

“Meaning, your children – O parents – are trusts with you, concerning whom Allah has instructed you. Therefore, you should fulfill their religious and worldly interests; you should teach them, discipline them, prevent them from corruption, order them to obey Allah and to always be pious [..] Therefore, Allah instructed the parents about their children, and they either fulfill that instruction, or fail to fulfill it. If they do so [fail to fulfill it], then they become deserving of the threat and the punishment.” [End of quote]

Furthermore, it is confirmed that Ibn 'Umar narrated that he heard the Prophet say: “Every one of you is a guardian and is responsible for the people under his guardianship ... and a man is a guardian of his family and is responsible for the those under his guardianship...” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

This responsibility is more confirmed in the case of a scholar or a preacher, because he is an example who is looked up to by others and the people observe his family (to follow their example as well).

Finally, it should be noted that if one fulfills his obligation towards his family, but then some of his family members refuse to respond to his call, then he did what he is required to do, and he is not to be blamed for their evil conduct.

It is for this reason that Allah did not blame the Prophet Nooh regarding his son and his wife who did not respond to his call (to worship Allah alone). Likewise, Allah did not blame His Prophet Loote about his wife.

Allah Says (what means):

·   {And Noah called to his Lord and said, “My Lord, indeed my son is of my family; and indeed, Your promise is true; and You are the most just of judges!” He said, “O Noah, indeed he is not of your family; indeed, he is [one whose] work was other than righteous, so ask Me not for that about which you have no knowledge. Indeed, I advise you, lest you be among the ignorant”.} [Quran 11:45-46 ]

·   {Allah presents an example of those who disbelieved: the wife of Noah and the wife of Loote. They were under two of Our righteous servants but betrayed them, so those prophets did not avail them from Allah at all, and it was said, “Enter the Fire with those who enter”.} [Quran 66:10]

Allah knows best.