How to Address Wrongdoing by Government Institutions

How should wrongdoing from institutions be denounced?

Or errors by government institutions?

This was clarified by the Messenger ﷺ.

He ﷺ said.

"Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand."

"If he cannot, then with his tongue."

"If he cannot, then with his heart, and that is the weakest of faith."

The Messenger ﷺ explained how we are to denounce wrongdoing by these great steps.

Anyone who can change it by hand, like the ruler or his deputy.

should remove the evil by hand and discipline the sinner.

This is the ruler's right, or that of inspectors appointed by the authorities.

If you have no authority and see a wrong contrary to the truth.

It is not a delusion or assumption that it is wrong when it is not.

If you are certain it is evil, and have no power or authority.

Denounce it with your tongue if Allah has given you knowledge and clarity.

With your tongue, offering sincere advice to sinners and wrongdoers.

"With wisdom and good instruction, and argue in the best manner."

Report them to the authorities, or to the hisbah officers.

If there are hisbah officers, report them. This is denouncing by speech.

If you have neither knowledge nor the ability to speak.

Then you denounce evil in your heart. You never approve of evil.

Evil must be denounced, but in levels according to ability.

So if you have no authority.

And no knowledge or clarity, then denounce evil in your heart.

Every believer, commoner and scholar, all can denounce it in the heart.

No one is incapable of this. You denounce evil in your heart.

Then keep away from evil and those who practice it.

"And when you see those discussing Our verses, turn away from them."

"until they enter into another conversation."

"And if Satan makes you forget, do not remain after the reminder."

with the wrongdoers.

So keep away from gatherings of evil.

You say, "I condemn it in my heart. What harm? I warned them; they refused."

"Should I sit with them? I did "my part." No, you may not sit with them.

As long as they did not comply, did not accept, and persisted in evil.

So leave them for another gathering until they enter into another talk.

Yes.