The Devils Deception by Imam Ibn AL-Jawzi

T H E D E V I L ' S
D E C E P T I O N S
It is also from Iblis's deception of them that they talk about what
they had done in public. They curse wrongdoers who might have
repented and became better than them. They discuss things that
they have seen that aught not be mentioned.
I heard some of these people talking about how they have attacked
wrongdoers, broken their containers (of liquor) and beaten them
severely. All of this is caused by ignorance.
As for scholars, you are safe when they forbid from evil. Members
of the Salaf were gentle when forbidding evil.
Silah Ibn Ashyam saw a man talking to a woman so he said: 'Allah
sees the two of you, may Allah keep your affairs a secret as well as
mine.'
And he used to pass by those playing and say: 'My brothers! What
is your opinion of a traveler who slept all night and played all day,
when will he reach his destination?' So one of the players understood
his point and said: 'Friends! This man is teaching us,' and he
repented together with his friends.
Leaders are most deserving of be lenient towards when forbidding
evil. They ought to be told: Allah has raised your status so
realise His bounty. Thanking Allah causes bounties to persist, and it
is not right for you to commit sins in return for this bounty.
Iblis has convinced some worshipers not to forbid evil on the basis
that only righteous people ought to do so. They say: I am not
worthy because I am not righteous enough, so how could I impose
on others?
This is wrong, for he should forbid others from committing sins
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