What is the ruling on living in a house where there are many abominations such as intermingling, men shaking hands with women, playing music, smoking, and having a brother who drinks alcohol, knowing that advice has not been beneficial?
Your duty is to advise them to abandon what they are doing, to instill in them the fear of Allah, and to remind them of His rights. Do not tire of offering advice. It is not permissible for you to associate with them while they are committing an evil act, except out of necessity, and only if you denounce it in your heart. Sheikh al-Islam said: "Whoever hears disbelief, lies, backbiting, singing, or musical instruments unintentionally does not sin. But if he sits and listens without denouncing it, neither with his heart, tongue, nor hand, he is sinful." Allah Almighty says: "And when you see those who engage in [offensive] discourse concerning Our verses, then turn away from them until they enter into another conversation. And if Satan should cause you to forget, then do not remain after the remembrance with the wrongdoing people." (Quran 6:68) And Allah Almighty says: "And it has already come down to you in the Book that when you hear the verses of Allah being denied and ridiculed, then do not sit with them until they enter into another conversation. Indeed, you would then be like them." (Quran 4:140) Thus, He equated the one who sits and listens to the one who commits the act. For this reason, it is said: "The listener is a partner to the backbiter." And in the tradition: "Whoever witnesses a sin and dislikes it is like one who was absent from it. And whoever is absent from it and approves of it is like one who witnessed it." If one witnesses it out of necessity or compulsion, he should denounce it in his heart, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; if he is unable, then with his tongue; if he is unable, then with his heart—and that is the weakest of faith."
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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