SYMPATHY FOR FÂSIQS (II)

Whoever rebels against Allâhu ta’âlâ is called a fâsiq. Those who cause others to rebel and cause spreading of fisq are called fâjir. The sinner who is known to be committing forbidden actions (harâms) should not be loved. Loving those who spread bid’ats and those who are known for oppressing others is a sin. It is stated in a hadîth-i-sherîf: “While people have the power to stop the ‘fisq’ of a sinner ‘fâsiq’, if no one stops him, Allâhu ta’âlâ will punish all of them in this world and in the next.” ’Umar bin ’Abdul’Azîz ‘rahimahullâhu ta’âlâ’ said, “Allâhu ta’âlâ does not punish others when someone commits forbidden actions ‘harâms’ but when some of them commit forbidden actions openly and others observing them do not stop them, then He will punish all of them.” Allâhu ta’âlâ revealed to prophet Yûsha’ ‘alaihis-salât-u-wa-s-salâm’: “I shall torment forty thousand pious people among your ummat along with sixty thousand sinful (fâsiq) ones!” When Yûsha’ implored, “Yâ Rabbî (O Lord)! Sinners deserve the punishment but what is the reason for punishing the pious?” Allâhu ta’âlâ answered, “They would not join Me in My Wrath (towards sinners). They would rather eat with them.” If doing amr al-ma’rûf to persons who deviated from the right path and to oppressors would cause instigation or harm to your self, to your family and to the Muslims in general, then it should not be done. In such instances, your heart’s aversion to them will suffice. The same applies to sinners, i.e., aversion felt towards those who commit forbidden actions openly (fâsiqs). It is necessary to advise them in a soft-spoken manner with soft and sweet words.

If a person performs acts of worship and also commits forbidden actions openly, i.e., commits “fisq,” he will be labeled according to the actions he does more. If these two antonymous acts balance out in a person’s apparent conduct, then he should be treated with the sympathy that he deserves on account of his acts of worship and at the same time get the antagonism which his fisq incurs. It devolves on the state officials to prevent those people who promote fisq.