navedz.com a muslim's Quest for the truth
Sadly we find a small, yet vocal minority of youth who over the years, have found themselves engaging in affairs they do not understand without justice and sound knowledge. They call for a blanket, unrestricted brotherhood, justice, patience, and gentleness with people whose oppression, criminality, slander, and even plots against Ahlus-Sunnah have become clear. All the while they themselves have little to no patience, gentleness, or good suspicions for their brothers. That which is apparent is they do not look for goodly excuses for their brothers upon the Sunnah nor do they advise them.
“That indeed is a division most unfair!” [Surah An-Najm: 22]
So today vague statements are made that can give the allusion that harshness towards people only “pushes them over the edge” or that using harshness is contrary to “desiring success” for the servants of Allaah. Or that “harshness only sends people further away”, forgetting that such individuals have chosen where their allegiances lie, and harshness is its correct place and application is from the Sunnah. Just like a bitter medicine administered by the loving, caring and skillful doctor to cure the people of their afflictions.
Imam ‘Abdul Aziz Bin Baz (rahimahullah) said:
“In summary, indeed the legislation came with gentleness in its place and likewise harshness in its correct place and it’s not permissible for a Muslim to neglectfully claim to be ignorant of this fact. Likewise it’s not permissible to use gentleness in the place where harshness is required, not to use harshness in the place of gentleness. Similarly, it is impermissible to falsely claim that the Islamic Legislation only came with gentleness alone or the claim that it only came with harshness alone.
Rather the Islamic legislation is wise, perfect and applicable for every time and place and able to rectify the entire Ummah. Thus it is for this reason it commands with both (gentleness and harshness) simultaneously. For this reason the Islamic legislation is distinctively represented by justice, wisdom, compassion, and forgiveness as it’s a magnanimous legislation in its rulings and does not subject the people to commandments beyond what one is capable of. This is because this legislation as it pertains to Da’wah starts with gentleness, wisdom and kindness.
However, should this be ineffective and a person goes beyond his place by transgressing the bounds and is oppressive, then you seize him with strength and harshness; dealing with him in a manner that shall deter him and allow him to realise the evil of his action.”
– from Majm’u al-Fatawa (3/203-204)
