Khateeb of Ahl-us-Sunna in Zahedan, Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdul Hameed, began his latest Friday sermon reciting: «وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاء بَعْضٍ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاَةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَاةَ وَيُطِيعُونَ اللّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ أُوْلَئِكَ سَيَرْحَمُهُمُ اللّهُ إِنَّ اللّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ» {Tawbah: 71}, (The believers, male and female, are friends to each other. They bid virtue and forbid vice and establish Salah and pay Zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those are the ones whom Allah will bless with mercy. Surely, Allah is Powerful, Wise.) And pointed that after adopting Shari’ah trying to purify the society and forbidding evil is the second responsibility of each Muslim.
Talking to tens of thousands worshippers in the Grand Makki mosque of Zahedan, he urged that every Muslim has to make efforts on the path of the reformation of other people. A pious person works hard to purify his/her deeds and actions. But it is not enough, well-doers strive to call others to good deeds and forbid them from vice, as well.
Shaikh Ismaeelzahi went on saying, ‘Muslims must be pensive and vigilant in the case of preaching and forbidding vice; most of the people show negligence in this regard. If any neighbor or member of your family does not establish prayers, Salah, or such other deeds you must remind him about the importance of that worship. If you prefer silence, you will be asked on the Resurrection Day.’
The prominent Islamic scholar pointed that remaining silent over the misdeeds encourage others to continue their bad acts. If we forbid our dears and near from misdeeds, they would be solicitous and would try to stop their bad characters.
Vice affects entire society:
Khateeb of Sunnis further said that bad affects of misdeeds and evil pollute the entire society. Bad effects of vice do not remain limited to the transgressor, rather they affect every one. Thus, it is the duty of Muslims to react if they see any sin or cruelty. Allah Almighty says: «وَاتَّقُواْ فِتْنَةً لاَّ تُصِيبَنَّ الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُواْ مِنكُمْ خَآصَّةً وَاعْلَمُواْ أَنَّ اللّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ» {Anfal: 25}, (And beware of a scourge that shall not fall only on the wrongdoers from among you, and know well that Allah is severe at punishment.)
He added more, ‘Forbid people from misdeeds and sins by good words and an acceptable method, but you should be very vigilant and cautious. Never blame any one; it is a big sin itself. If you carry out all worships like five-time prayers, fasting in Ramadan and Hajj, but you neglect forbidding vice; you will be questioned on the Judgment Day.’
Allah punishes violators of the rights of minorities:
Rector of Darululoom Zahedan urged that whoever deprives people, particularly religious and ethnic minorities, Exalted Allah will punish him. The USSR was supported by the Red Army; Stalin massacred more than 25 million people and the world saw their lessonful end! Now, the US and Israel go on their way by bombing innocent people.
Shaikh Abdul Hameed pointed that Allah Almighty has announced war against tyrants and despotism. All despots must keep in mind that Allah will punish them and make them ignominious across the world. The fate of dictators in the Middle East is an example for all tyrants who deprive people from their due rights.
Mawlana Abdul Hameed emphasized that rising voice against dictators, as wee see in some Muslim countries, is part of forbidding vice.