Remaining Silent When Evil Takes Place
Question :
I was asked to give the Friday Khutbah (sermon), but those who made this request stipulated that I don't speak about interest, Hijab, unveiling of the face, or women who display their beauty to strangers. Should I agree to their request?
Answer:
If these evils are widespread in the society you live in, don't allow yourself to be silent about them, for not speaking about these evils is tantamount to sanctioning them.
It is obligatory to rebuke evil. For sure, these are evils that the Shari'ah has forbidden. If any given country sanctions these evils, saying that they are lawful, individuals in that society who know these things to be evil are not allowed to remain silent, they must rebuke them. The one giving the sermon is responsible for clarifying the inherent evil in these practices.
whenever possible; he should support his denouncement of these evils by proofs from the Qur'an and Sunnah, proofs such as Allah's Saying:
"Allah Almighty has permitted trading and forbidden usury (Riba)."
And:
"And do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance."
It is not possible that anyone could refute the clear arguments proven by the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger 5. In case where these evils do not exist in the marketplace, or in the society where you live, then there is no need to mention them to the people.
Source:
Ibn Jibreen
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 8 Pages 68-69