Home
Discover Islam
Quran Recitations
Lectures
Fatwa
Articles
Fiqh
E-Books
Women
Boys & Girls 
Enter Question
View By Subject
Fatwa Of The Week
Selected Fatwa
Fatwa CenterHow to enjoin siblings to do good and depart evil
Question
Assalamu Alaikum. I'm the eldest son in my family, so I feel that I have a certain responsibility over my other siblings. I try and instill good values in them and make them the best Muslims they can possibly be. However, they still revert to their old ways. I was wondering if I must continue this or will I be judged for not calling them to pray, etc. "Every soul is responsible only for his/her own work" (53:39) Makes me believe that I won't; however, a true believer wants for his brother what he wants for himself which, in this case, is the love and mercy of Allah the Almighty. Also at the university I'm attending, I often witness people arguing over Islam (Shia, Sunnah, etc). I try and stay clear of this and focus on bettering myself. However, should one intervene if they can enlighten and help others or just stay away from such arguments, because more often, if one intervenes, it just ends up in Fitnah (trial). Jazakallah khair.
Answer
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.
You should advise your brothers and enjoin them to do good and forbid them from doing evil in a soft and gentle manner; if you do so, then the one who strays while you are upon the truth does not harm you.
You will not be held accountable except if you are negligent in advising them and forbidding them from doing evil while you are able to do so.
Indeed, Allah, The Almighty, destroyed the people who did evil and those who kept silent about it in the story of the children of Israa'eel and it is only those who refuted the evil who were saved. Allah, The Almighty, Says (what means): {And when a community among them said, ‘Why do you advise [or warn] a people whom Allah is [about] to destroy or to punish with a severe punishment?” they [the advisors] said, “To be absolved before your Lord and perhaps they may fear Him.” And when they [i.e. those advised] forgot that by which they had been reminded, We saved those who had forbidden evil and seized those who wronged, with a wretched punishment, because they were defiantly disobeying.}[Quran 7:164-165]
Therefore, you should advise your brothers, enjoin them to do good and forbid them from doing evil according to your ability.
Allah Knows best.
Search Fatwa
Fatwa Subject
