The Tongue and Conscience

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Question: I have heard that the one remains silent in the face of truth is akin to being a mute devil. Is this correct?.

Yes, this was stated by some of the pious predecessors. It is not a hadith from the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him; rather, it is stated by some of the scholars who said: “The one who remains silent about the truth is a mute devil, while the one who speaks falsehood is a speaking devil.” Therefore, the individual who utters falsehood and calls to falsehood, this one is a speaking devil.

The individual who remains silent in the face of truth when capable, neither enjoins good nor forbids evil, nor changes what is obligatory to be changed and keeps quiet while being able to speak, this one is said to be a mute devil- from the devils among humankind. This is because it is obligated to a believer to denounce falsehood and calls to good. If he is able, it is obligated to him, as Allah – The High and Exalted, said:

وَلْتَكُنْ مِنْكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ

Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful. [Aal Imran 104]

He, Glorified and free from all imperfections, said:

وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ

The believers, men and women, are Auliya’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another, they enjoin (on the people) Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden). [Al-Tawbah 71]

He, [the prophet – (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)] said: “If acts of disobedience are done among any people and do not change them though the are able to do so, Allah will soon punish them all”. [Sahih Abu Dawud 4338]

He, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Whoever among you witnesses evil should change it with their hand; if they are unable, then with their tongue; and if they cannot, then with their heart; and that is the weakest form of faith”.

This makes it clear to us the obligation of denouncing evil based on one’s ability: with the hand, then with the tongue and then the heart. Therefore, the one who remains silent about denouncing evil, while being capable and without any hindrance, is akin to a mute devil. [1]

Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: Stopping evil by the hand must be based on ability and should not result in greater corruption or evil. A man has the right to rectify matters with his hand in his home [i.e. based on what the law of the land allows him]; a manager has the authority to make changes with the hand within the organization they are responsible for, in accordance with the instructions that were given to them [i.e. the authority given to them by the state authorities]; otherwise, people should not change with their hand anything they are not authorised to change. If they do make changes in matters that they have no authority over, this will result in more evil and great corruption between them and the people and between the people and the state.

In this case they should stop evil with their tongue (by speaking out). They may say: “O so and so! Fear Allah! This is not permissible; this is Haram, or this is obligated to you,’’ and clarify it with evidence from Shariah. [Footnote a] As for changing matters with the hand, this should be done where one has authority, such as one’s home [i.e. within what the law allows], with those under one’s responsibility, or those authorised by the ruler, such as organisations given permission and authority to enjoin good. They should make changes in accordance with the authority they have been given- in the way prescribed by the Shariah, without exceeding their jurisdiction. The same applies to the governor of a city; he should make changes with his hand, in accordance with the instructions he has. [2]

Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

One must know that neither is it conceivable to the intellect (i.e. sound intellect) nor (plausible) in the religion to seek the pleasure of the creation [i.e. mankind and Jinn] due to two affairs: First, Imam Ash-Shafi’i, may Allah have mercy upon him] said, “The people are an unattainable goal”. Therefore, it is obligated to you to (pursue) that which would rectify your affairs and adhere to it; abandon its opposite and do not concern (yourself) with it. Second, indeed, we have been commanded to (seek) the pleasure of Allah and His Messenger, as Allah [The Most High] said:

وَٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥٓ أَحَقُّ أَن يُرْضُوهُ إِن كَانُوا۟ مُؤْمِنِينَ

But it is more fitting that they should please Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), if they are believers.[Al-Tawbah. 62]

“So fear them not, but fear Me, if you are (true) believers. [Aal Imran. 175]

“Therefore fear not men but fear Me”. [Al-Ma’idah. 44]

“Then fear fear Me (Allah) much (and Me (Alone), i.e. be away from all kinds of sins and evil deeds that Allah has forbidden and do all that Allah has ordained and worship none but Allah”. [Al-Nahl. 51]

“And fear Me and Me alone”. [Al-Baqarah. 41]

It is obligated to us to fear Allah – fear Allah concerning the (rights) of the people- neither harm them with our hearts (i.e. blameworthy hatred, malice etc.) nor with our limbs (i.e. physical harm); fulfil their rights with our hearts and limbs (i.e. wish them good, love for them what we love for ourselves, physically do what will benefit them etc.), but do not fear them and leave what Allah and His Messenger commanded. The one who adheres to this path will (reach) the (praiseworthy) outcomes, just as Aa’isha, may Allah be pleased with her, wrote to Mu’aawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, and said, “To proceed: Indeed, whoever seeks the pleasure of the people at the expense of Allah’s displeasure will (earn) Allah’s displeasure and Allah will cause the people to be displeased with him. And the praise of the people will become blame against him. And whoever seeks Allah’s Pleasure at the expense of people’s displeasure, will (earn) Allah’s Pleasure and Allah will cause the people to be pleased with him”.

Therefore, a person’s concern and intention should be nothing else but to (seek) the Pleasure of Allah and to avoid Allah’s displeasure. There is no might no power except with Allah. [3]

Imam Muhammad Bin Salih Al-Uthaymin, may Allah have mercy upon him] said:

If all the people were pleased with you and Allah is not pleased with you, then indeed it will not benefit you except the Pleasure of Allah, for indeed if Allah is pleased with you, He will make people become pleased with you and make their hearts incline towards you, as it has been reported in a hadeeth, “Indeed, when Allah loves a servant, He calls Jibreel and says, ‘Verily, I love this person so you should love him’. Then Jibreel loves him and makes an announcement in the heavens, saying, ‘Indeed, Allah loves this person and you should love him’, so the inhabitants of the heavens love him. Then he is granted the [pleasure and acceptance] of the [people] in the earth”, just as Allah said:

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ سَيَجْعَلُ لَهُمُ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ وُدًّا

Verily, those who believe [in the Oneness of Allah and in His Messenger (Muhammad) and work deeds of righteousness, the Most Beneficent (Allah) will bestow love for them (in the hearts of the believers). [Maryam. 96]

However, if a person seeks after the pleasure of the people at the expense of Allah’s displeasure, the affair will be the opposite. Allah will be angry with him and will make the people become angry with him. This is why when Mu’aawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, became the Khaleefah, Aa’isha, may Allah be pleased with her, wrote to him, saying, “I heard the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, say, ‘Whoever seeks the pleasure of Allah at the expense of the displeasure of the people, Allah will suffice him against the people. Whoever seeks the pleasure of people at the expense of Allah’s displeasure, Allah will leave his affair to the people’”. [4]

Footnote a: In the UK, objecting to certain behaviour can be viewed as harassment or verbal abuse, therefore a Muslim should be aware of what the law allows him before he says or does anything whilst living in the West.

[1]https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/17956/%D9%85%D8%B9%D9%86%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%AA-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%82-%D8%B4%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%B1%D8%B3

[2] Fataawa Ibn Baaz 8/208

[3] An Excerpt from ‘Majmu Al-Fatawa 3/233

[4] An Excerpt from ‘Riyaad As-Salihin 1/163