If You are not Able to Prevent Evil, at Least Avoid it
Question :
Our family gatherings are replete with evil - backbiting, smoking, card playing, and watching television dramas. I cannot stop them or even speak against their actions, because if I did, they will label religious people and verbally attack scholars, as they are wont to do. Should I avoid their gatherings and avoid contact with them. What should I do?
Answer:
If you can't stop them, then what is obligatory for you is A to avoid their gatherings, because one who sits with another who is doing wrong acquires sin as he does. Allâh Almighty said:
"Already has He sent down to you in the Book, that when you hear the Ayat of Allah being rejected and mocked at, you are not to sit with them until they turn to talk other than that, if you did, you would be like them."
If they sever ties with you because you refuse to sit with them while they are doing wrong, then no matter, but try your best to treat them kindly, and then if they still sever ties with you, the sin is upon them.
Source:
Ibin Uthaymin
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 7 Pages 355-356
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