Objecting against wrongdoing in the heart
8-11-2007 | IslamWeb
Question:
What does objecting against wrongdoing in the heart mean?
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.
There are two issues to be discussed regarding objection against wrongdoing in the heart:
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The kind of wrongdoing to be objected against solely by the heart.
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The manner of objecting against such wrongdoing in the heart
Objection against wrongdoing in the heart is only to be done when a Muslim is neither able to take action towards rectifying the wrongdoing nor to speak out against it, in view of the conditions and guidelines set forth for enjoining what is right and forbidding what is evil. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ordered the one who sees an evil to change it physically with his hand if he was able to do so. If he could not, he should change it by his tongue (by advising and/or condemning), and finally by (detesting it with) his heart, and he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, informed that this is the weakest level of faith. [Muslim]
Objecting against wrongdoing in the heart means to despise and detest it, to wish you had the ability to change it, and to be depressed for not having such an ability. Feeling depressed and frustrated about not being able to change the evil is the sign of sincere objection and rejection in the heart. One should also continue to ask Allaah The Almighty for assistance in altering the evil.
It is also important to note that if one is unable to change the evil act, then he must leave the place where Allaah is being disobeyed. If one has the ability to leave such a place, then objection in the heart while remaining in the place is not sufficient. Allaah The Almighty Said (what means):
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{And when you see those who engage in [offensive] discourse concerning Our verses, then turn away from them until they enter into another conversation. And if Satan should cause you to forget, then do not remain after the reminder with the wrongdoing people. } [Quran 6:68]
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{And it has already come down to you in the Book that when you hear the verses of Allaah [recited], they are denied [by them] and ridiculed; so do not sit with them until they enter into another conversation. Indeed, you would then be like them. Indeed Allah will gather the hypocrites and disbelievers in Hell all together -}[Quran 4:140]
Allaah Knows best.