SYMPATHY FOR FÂSIQS (I)

A person who commits forbidden deeds (harâms) flagrantly is called ‘fâsiq’, and the sin committed thus is called ‘fisq’. The worst “fisq” is to commit oppression (zulm). For, it is perpetrated openly and also involves the rights of individuals. The fifty-seventh and hundred and fortieth âyat-i-kerîmas of Sûra Âl-i-’Imrân of the Qur’ân al-kerîm purport: “... Allâhu ta’âlâ loveth not those who do wrong (zâlimûn).” A hadîth-i-sherîf reads: “To pray that a tyrant will live long means to wish disobedience to Allâhu ta’âlâ.” When Sufyân-i-Sawrî ‘rahimahullâhu ta’âlâ’ was asked, “A tyrant (zâlim) is about to perish of thirst in the desert. Shall we give him water?” he replied, “No, don’t.” If a tyrant obtained the house he is living in by way of extortion, it is harâm to enter the house. Humble behaviour shown towards a person who is fâsiq, though not zâlim, will cost two-thirds of one’s faith. This fact could be a sufficient benchmark for rating the atrocity of humility towards a person who is zâlim (at the same time). It is harâm to kiss a zâlim’s hand or to bow before him. These acts are jâiz (permissible) when the person concerned is ’âdil (just). Abû ’Ubayda bin Jerrâh kissed Hadrat ’Umar’s hand ‘radiy-Allâhu ’anhumâ’. Visiting and staying in the house of a person who earns most of his money by forbidden means is not permissible. Praising such a person with words or by any other act is forbidden. It would only be permissible to go by him in order to save oneself or someone else from his oppression. While in his presence, one must not lie and praise him. If one thinks that he might accept advice, one may advise him. If a tyrant visits you, then it would be permissible to get up in order to meet him. But it would be better if you do not get up in order to show ugliness of his oppression and value (izzat) of Islam. If the conditions permit, you may advise him. It is always better to stay away from tyrants and oppressors. It is stated in a hadîth-i-sherîf: “Do not say ‘sir’ as you talk with a munâfiq.” It is an act of disbelief to show reverence to a disbeliever or to a zâlim, to greet them with reverence, or to address them with expressions of reverence. Showing respect to a disbeliever or saying phrases like, “My master” or greeting him respectfully causes disbelief.