From `Abdul `Aziz Bin `Abdullah Ibn Baz to our honorable brother `Abdul `Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn `Uwayshiz (may Allah guide him).

May Allah endow you with guidance and make us among those who fear Him! I received your letter that informs of your appointment to the chairmanship of the Committee for the propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Dhahran. Actually, I had already known about this news and decided to write to you once I got it. However, I have been overwhelmed with many things prior to the arrival of your letter. I advise you and myself to fear Allah wherever we may be, give precedence to Allah's rights over anything else, and be truthful in dealing with Him and in offering advice to people for His sake to the best of our capacity. I advise you to consider the Divine, Shar'i principle when there is conflict between benefits and harms, as it is impossible to have all benefits or repel all harms. The principle implies that a Muslim should fulfill the greater benefit even if the lesser is left and repel the greater harm even if the lesser occurs. You are in a position that requires much attention, Shari`ah­based policies, strength in carrying out the commands of Allah, and kindness that is indispensible in some cases. Thus, fear Allah, be patient, and allow the members of your committee to encourage one another and other organizations in Al­Dammam, Khubar, Al­Thuqbah, and other governorates to trust in Allah, rely on Him, and invoke Him for victory. Remember the great harms that the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the Salaf (righteous predecessors) endured in the way of Da`wah (calling to Islam) and how patient they were until Allah granted them their wishes, thwarted the plots of the enemy, supported the believing party, and disgraced the party of Satan through them.

I urge you and the members to be the first ones to do good deeds and the last ones to do evil deeds. Every Muslim should do so, especially those who call to Allah and enjoin good. In fact, this attitude is the exemplary way to call to Allah and its effectiveness has been widely proven. Teaching by example may be more beneficial than through talking in some instances. Thus, the foolish will not have any argument against you.

We implore Allah to grant us understanding of His way and make us among those who call to His path with clear knowledge. We ask Allah to purify our hearts, accept our deeds, and protect us and all Muslims from delusive temptations and evil insinuations. He is All­Hearing, Ever­Near. I hope you will extend my Salam to Sheikh Sulayman, Sheikh Ibrahim Al­`Amud and the other Sheikhs, brothers, and members. We assure you that we, our children, the Sheikhs, and Muslim brothers here are fine. May Allah protect you! As­salamu `Alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!)