Her family wants her to stop listening to scholars
21-12-2013 | IslamWeb
Question:
Salam, My family made me feel that I should stop watching videos and reading fatwas from people who has knowledge because they do not like it when I tell them something that I learn of. Also, they question that why is that people who has knowledge they don't tell the Muslim leaders to stop doing wrong things that they see? Please help me. May Allah reward you with good.
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.
You should not give in to those sentiments, even if your family does not want you to tell them about what you read from the scholars.
As for their statement that the scholars have to tell Muslim leaders about the truth and right, enjoin them to do good and forbid them to do evil, there is no doubt that it is true and many of them, thanks to Allaah, do that through the means available to them. Enjoining good and forbidding evil is obligatory upon every Muslim according to his ability and knowledge of evil and good. It was stated in Al-Muharrar Al-Wajeez fi Tafseer Al-Kitaab Al-Azeez: "People assume different degrees regarding changing evil and enjoining good. The obligation of scholars in it is to alert the governors and rulers and to encourage them to do what is right. The obligation of rulers in it is to impose good and change evil with their power and authority; as for them it is the hand (with which they change evil). The obligation of common people in it is to refer it to the governors and rulers after forbidding it by their tongue. This is regarding the continuous evil. However, if one sees an incidence of evil such as theft, fornication, and the like, one has to change it according to the circumstances and ability. It is better for every believer to endure regarding changing evil, even if some harm afflicts him." [End quote]
If one sees an evil and cannot change it with his hand or tongue, he bears no sin; however, he has to denounce it with his heart as stated in the Hadeeth.
In any case, do not deprive yourself of learning and attending the circles of knowledge and scholars' lessons for the reason that some of them did not confront leaders, because this may not possible for them. They may have a valid excuse regarding that and they may have done that secretly while people do not know.
Finally, we advise you to use wisdom while preaching to your family and explaining truth to them and beware of engaging in a discussion without knowledge.
Allaah Knows best.