Enjoining the Good and Forbidding Evil: Must One Forbid Evil from Powerful Figures Despite Fear of Harm?
Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei
Enjoining the Good and Forbidding Evil: Must One Forbid Evil from Powerful Figures Despite Fear of Harm?
English:
Question #1054:
If one comes across evidence of sinful conduct, impropriety and insincerity of a person holding a powerful position so that one fears his power and influence, is it permissible to neglect enjoining the good and forbidding evil in relation to him? Or is it obligatory for one to call him to the good and forbid him from evil even when one is afraid of his harm?
Answer #1054:
If there is a reasonable fear of harm, it will not be obligatory to enjoin the good and forbid evil, rather you will be relieved of the obligation. But it is not good for someone to neglect reminding and advising his brother in faith, simply for fear of the position of the person who neglects the good or that of the perpetrator of the evil, or for the mere likelihood of some harm inflicted by them.