عن أبي سعيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ رضي الله عنه قال: سمعتُ رسولَ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقوُل :

"مَنْ رَأَى مِنْكُمْ مُنْكَراً فَلْيُغَيِّرْهُ بِيَدِهِ، فَإنْ لمَ يَسْتَطِعْ فَبلِسانِهِ، فَإنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَبقَلْبِهِ، وَذَلِكَ أضْعَفُ اْلإِيمَانِ"

"If one of you sees a wickedness, let him change it with his hand; if he is unable to do so then by the use of his tongue; if he is still unable, then with his heart and this is the weakest form of Imaan (faith)."

In several riwayaat that are also authentic is states the additional words, “And after that not even a mustard seed or equivalent of Imaan is left."

It is clear from this hadith that we should not allow haraam actions to pass us without following the Prophetic instruction and implementing a three-point plan.

1) Use of Hand

Should do:

Stop the action with the use of your hand if you are able to. Briefly, if you see someone in your family whom you are responsible to Allah for, you should stop them even if you have to use force. E.g. Your children, spouse, and employees (if in the workplace).

Shouldn’t do:

Seize a bottle of whiskey off a strange man walking in the street that you have never seen before in your life.

2) Use of Tongue

Should do:

Stop the action or warn against it by the use of your tongue. E.g. If you see your parents watching a Hollywood/Bollywood film or listening to music, kindly remind them this is haraam and leave the place.

Shouldn’t do:

Start swearing at your parents or calling them kufaar because your father does not grow his beard and your mother does not observe proper Hijab.

3) Use of the Heart

Should do:

If you see two people cuddling/kissing each other in the street with cans of beer in their hand, you should feel in your heart an extreme sadness that Allah’s commandments are being violated shamelessly. And not if, but when Allah gives you ascendancy in the land, you will strive to ensure that society returns to all actions that contain goodness and promote a peaceful life in this world.

Shouldn’t do:

Allow haraam actions that are being committed in societies that you live in to become the norm, and even worse try to justify them under the guise that Shariah has always accommodated Urf (tradition).

It is for this reason my esteemed sisters and brothers, that I urge you not to become desensitized by all the haraam that is happening around you, consequently allowing yourselves to lose whatever faith remains in you. Keep reminding yourself that you are a Muslim and that you have a distinct character and do not need to ‘blend in’ my blindly imitating disbelievers. They will never be pleased with you until you become one of them…