How can the righteous perish despite their existence, and given that their righteousness necessitates enjoining good and forbidding evil? And what is the interpretation of Allah's saying: "Those who believe and do not mix their belief with injustice - those will have security, and they are [rightly] guided," and His saying: "Say, 'Have you considered: if the punishment of Allah should come to you unexpectedly or manifestly, would anyone be destroyed but the wrongdoing people?'"

A man may be righteous in himself but not a reformer of others. The righteous person may fall into sin and fall short in enjoining good and forbidding evil. It was narrated from Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "When evil becomes manifest on earth, Allah sends down His wrath upon the inhabitants of the earth." And if there are righteous people among them, they will be afflicted along with the others, and then they will attain Allah's mercy and forgiveness. Al-Qurtubi said that the righteous may perish with the corrupt if they do not enjoin good and detest evil, which is what the verse indicates: "And fear a trial which will not afflict those who have wronged among you exclusively."