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What is meant by "the weakest of faith" in the hadith: "Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; if he cannot, then with his tongue; if he cannot, then with his heart—and that is the weakest of faith"?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The reprehensible is not condoned by Islamic law, and it must be changed according to one's ability. The Wise Lawgiver has ordained the denouncement of the reprehensible, so no one is excused for abandoning this denouncement. It must be changed with the hand; if one is unable, then with the tongue; and if one is unable, then with the heart, which is the weakest of faith. The meaning of "weakest of faith" is that it yields the least fruit, or that merely detesting it in the heart is the weakest of actions related to denouncing the reprehensible. This hadith is a fundamental principle regarding the manner of changing the reprehensible, so it is the right of the one who changes it to do so by every possible means, otherwise, at least with detestation and hatred.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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