We received a letter from Algeria in which the questioner wrote: Q: How are we to treat those who commit major sins such as sodomy, Zina (premarital sexual intercourse and/or adultery) and other sins that Qur'an strongly threatens those who commit these acts. Is it permissible to speak to them or greet them (i.e. by saying 'peace be upon you' to them)? Is it permissible to maintain ties with them in order to remind them of Allah's Warning and sever Punishment, if there are signs that they may offer Tawbah (repentance to Allah)?
A: You must advise anyone who is suspected of committing these major sins. You have to warn them of their bad consequences, and inform them that they cause the heart to become diseased, hardened, and ultimately die. However, whoever discloses such sins to people or commit them openly; their affair has to be reported to the authorities and Had (ordained punishment for violating Allah's Law) must be imposed upon them. Moreover, it is impermissible to maintain relations with such people or to socialize with them. Ties must be cut with them for Allah (Exalted be He) may guide them and grant them Tawbah (repentance to Allah) through this. Conversely, if severing ties with them will increase their evils; another way of disapproving their wrongdoing is through repeated reminders and continued advise in the best manner until Allah guides them. In either case, it is impermissible to befriend them, although people must advise and warn them continuously against their repulsive deeds. As for the authorities of Muslim countries, they have to punish those who indulge in these acts and impose Hudud (plural of Had) on them. People who know about the committers of such sins have to help their country to achieve the foregoing for Allah (Glorified be He) states: Help you one another in AlBirr and AtTaqwâ (virtue, righteousness and piety) and:
The believers, men and women, are Auliyâ' (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another; they enjoin (on the people) Al M a' rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do), and forbid (people) from AlMunkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islâm has forbidden).
By Al'Asr (the time). Verily, man is in loss, Except those who believe (in Islâmic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth [i.e. order one another to perform all kinds of good deeds (AlMa'ruf) which Allâh has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds (AlMunkar which Allâh has forbidden], and recommend one another to patience (for the sufferings, harms, and injuries which one may encounter in Allâh's Cause during preaching His religion of Islâmic Monotheism or Jihâd).
Anyone of you who sees something evil, let them rectify it with their hand (by taking action); if they cannot, then with their tongue (by speaking out); and if they cannot, then with their heart (by hating it and feeling that it is wrong); and that is the weakest of Iman (belief). (Related by Imam Muslim in his Sahih [Authentic Hadith Book])
Din (Religion) is sincerity! They said, "To whom, O Messenger of Allah?" He (peace be upon him) answered, "To Allah, His Book, His Messenger, and the Imams (leaders) of Muslims and their common people." (Related by Muslim)