⦗68, 69⦘ “When you see those who engage in false discourse concerning Our signs, turn away from them until they turn to another topic. If Satan should cause you to forget, then once you remember, do not remain seated with the wrongdoing people.”
Engaging in false discourse concerning Allah’s signs means speaking in ways that oppose the truth, such as presenting false doctrines in a favorable light, calling others to them, praising their advocates, turning away from the truth, and disparaging both the truth and its adherents. Allah therefore commanded His Messenger first and foremost—and his community by extension—whenever they see people engaging in any such discourse concerning Allah’s signs, to turn away from them, refrain from attending the gatherings of those who engage in falsehood, and persist in doing so until they begin discussing another topic. Once they turn to another topic, the aforementioned prohibition no longer applies.
If that discussion serves a beneficial purpose, it is enjoined; otherwise, it is neither beneficial nor enjoined. The condemnation of engaging in falsehood also encourages investigation, reflection, and debate conducted in pursuit of the truth. He then said, “If Satan should cause you to forget”—that is, so that you sit with them out of forgetfulness or heedlessness—“then once you remember, do not remain seated with the wrongdoing people.” This includes those who engage in false discourse, anyone who speaks of something forbidden, and anyone who commits a forbidden act. It is prohibited to sit with them or remain present when an evil is being committed and one is unable to put an end to it.
This prohibition applies to one who sits with them without observing mindfulness of Allah—by participating in their forbidden words or deeds, or by remaining silent and failing to denounce them. If, however, he observes mindfulness of Allah Most High by commanding them to do good and forbidding them from the evil and wrongful speech that proceeds from them, thereby causing the evil to cease or diminish, then he incurs neither blame nor sin. For this reason, He said: