Assessing Our Feelings toward the “Lesser Evil”
If we do not cringe on the inside when engaging with the “lesser evil” and…
If we do not sincerely hope and pray that Allah changes the situation so that we no longer have to engage with the “lesser evil” and…
If we do not feel upset and angry that the reality on the ground forces us to engage with the “lesser evil” and…
If we do not rethink and reassess the situation periodically to see if we could do away with having to engage with the “lesser evil,”….
Then it is very likely that we have either become desensitized to this “lesser evil” or, God forbid, possibly even embraced it.
The desensitization could be cured with knowledge, remembrance, and getting closer to Allah.
The embracing part is what is extremely dangerous. Embracing something does not entail merely tolerating it; rather, it entails a moral acceptance and love of that thing. I emphasize the “moral acceptance” bit. To knowingly embrace something haram is tantamount to loving and morally accepting it. This major kufr takes one outside Islam, and there is no difference of opinion in this regard.
In light of this, it is highly recommended that all of us think about the “lesser evils” we are dealing with and reassess our internal sentiments toward them periodically. It is essential for the perseverance and enhancement of our Iman.