Author: Abdul Hameed Nowrozi
The Importance and Status of Enjoining Good and Forbidding Wrong (Part Two)
Enjoining Good and Forbidding Wrong from the Quranic Perspective
Enjoining good and forbidding evil has been important in all religions in some way, but in Islam, it is not only emphasized but also regarded as one of the basic duties and tasks of this nation. This matter is mentioned in various verses in multiple ways, a few of which are cited here:
1. «وَلْتَكُنْ مِنْكُمْ أُمَّةٌ یدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَیرِ وَیأْمُرُونَ بِالمَعْرُوفِ وَینْهَوْنَ عَن المُنكَرِ وَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ» Translation: “And there should be a group of you who invite to goodness, enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong, and it is they who are the successful.”
2. «كُنتُمْ خَیرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بالله» “You are the best nation ever raised for mankind, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah.”
This verse conveys two significant points: (1) This nation is superior to other nations, and (2) This superiority is based on the fulfillment of the duty of enjoining good and forbidding evil, as was the duty of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.
3. «الَّذِینَ إِنْ مَكَنَّاهُمْ فِی الْأَرْضِ أَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ وَأَمَرُوا بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَنَهَوْا عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَلِلَّہِ عَاقِبَةُ الْأُمُور» “Those who, if we give them the means on earth, will perform prayer, pay zakat, enjoin good deeds and forbid evil deeds. And the end of things is for Allah.”
4. «كَانُوا لَا یتَنَاهَوْنَ عَنْ مُنْكَرٍ فَعَلُوهُ لَبِئْسَ مَا كَانُوا یفْعَلُونَ» “They did not forbid one another from the evil they committed, and what they did was evil.”
Enjoining Good and Forbidding wrong from the Perspective of the Prophetic Hadith
Many emphases on enjoining good and forbidding evil have been narrated from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has also strongly warned against neglecting this matter. It will suffice to mention a few hadiths here:
1. Hazrat Ayesha, may Allah be pleased with her, reports: “I heard the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, say: ‘Enjoin the good and forbid the wrong before you pray, or your prayer will not be accepted.'”
2. The Holy Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, says: “By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, you must enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong; otherwise, it will be close that Allah brings His punishment upon you, and then you will pray to Allah for your salvation, but your prayer will not be accepted.”
Enjoining Good: The Duty of a Muslim
The duty of the Islamic Ummah is clearly established from the texts of the Holy Quran and the authentic hadiths of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The Muslim Ummah was sent, following its Prophet, to invite the nations of the world. This Ummah has been introduced as the best Ummah due to its fulfillment of the duty of Da’wah, preaching, enjoining good, and forbidding wrong: «كُنتُمْ خَیرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالمَعْرُوفِ وتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ المُنكَرِ» Translation: “You are the best of nations that have been raised up for the reform of mankind; you enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong.”
This verse clearly states that the Muslim nation was created for other nations, and its purpose is to serve all of humanity. The duty of this nation is to call others to goodness and to enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong; if it fails to fulfill its mission, it has indeed strayed from the purpose of its life.
The Ruling of Enjoining Good and Forbidding Wrong
Enjoining good and forbidding evil is a sufficient obligation upon this nation. If a group of people rises up at any time to revive this work, then, should all Muslims fail in this matter, they become sinners collectively. However, if a group fulfills this duty, the obligation is considered fulfilled by all. As Allah Almighty says: «وَلْتَكُن مِنكُم أُمَّةٌ یدْعُوْنَ إِلَى الخَیرِ وَ یأْمُرُونَ بِالمَعرُوفِ وَینْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَ أُولئِكَ هُمُ المُفلحون» Translation: “And there should be among you a community who call to what is right, enjoin good, and forbid evil, and it is they who are the successful.”
The existence of such a community is essential for the reform and welfare of this nation and the solution to its problems. The duty of this community is summarized in three things:
1. Da’wah all humanity to goodness.
2. Enjoining good.
3. Forbidding wrong.
Continues…
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