On the three approaches to the condemnation of
wrongs: with the hand, with the tongue
and with the heart.

Once it has been established that the condemnation of wrongs [al-inkar] is a necessary duty, it should be noted that those who discharge this duty [al-munkirun] are grouped in three distinct categories:

1. The first group is made up of those who are in a position to give
effect to their condemnation through the use of physical force;134 that
is to say, it consists of the leaders of the community [a imma] and the
rulers in power [salatin].135

2. The second group is made up of those who express their condem­
nation verbally rather than by physical means;136 in other words, it
consists of the learned scholars ['ulama'].

3. The third group is made up of those who can express their
condemnation only through their feelings;137 in other words, it consists
of the mass of ordinary people [amma].

This is borne out by a tradition [hadlth] that has been handed down to us, namely the report transmitted by Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (may Allah be well pleased with him), according to whom the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) once said:

If one of you happens to see something wrong [munkar], let him try to correct it with his hand. If he is unable to do it this way, then with his tongue. If he cannot do it this way either, then with his heart, although that is the weakest of faith [ad 'afu'l-iman].138

One of the Companions [Sahaba] (may Allah be well pleased with them all) is reported as having said: “If one of you happens to see something wrong, but he is incapable of taking action to correct it, let him say three times: “O Allah, surely this is wrong!” 139  If he does say this, he will actually be entitled to the spiritual reward that is earned by enjoining what is right and fair and forbidding what is wrong and unfair.”

134  Literally, ‘by means of the hand’[bi'l-yad].
135 The singular forms corresponding to a’imma and salfitin are imilm and sultan, respectively.
136 Literally, ‘by means of the tongue, not tbe hand1 [bi'l-lisani duna'l-yad].
137 Literally, ‘with the heart’ [bi'l-qalb].
138 Author’s note: Meaning, ‘the weakest act of faith” [ad 'afu fi'li'l-iman].
139 Allahumma inna hadha munkar

ref: Shaikh Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (R) – Al Ghunya li Talibi Tariq al-Haqq Volume 1