We the Shi’as have the same belief about the concept of compulsion and empowerment1, as was addressed by our Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (‘a), who said, “There is no absolute compulsion or empowerment, but the situation is a balance between the two states.”

A person approached Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (‘a) and asked him what he meant by the balance between the two states? The Imam replied, “Its explanation is like this: If you see a man who is firm upon committing vice and you try to prevent him, and if he does not pay heed to you, then leave him to his own, until, he commits that vice. Just because he did not listen to your advice, and you left him on his own thereafter, did not mean that you had encouraged him to commit the sin.”

• 1. This predicament is very significant, but due to incompatible points of view of the Ummah, it has also become a dividing issue.