Author: "Abu Aisha"
Mu’tazila (35th part)
Punishment for abandoning Commanding what is good and forbidding what is evil
From the reasons (verses, hadiths, and the sayings of scholars) stated previously in detail, it is clear that enjoining good and forbidding evil is one of the greatest responsibilities of this nation, and abandoning it, despite having the power to do so, incurs Allah’s anger, wrath, and displeasure. It is considered sublime.
Since the harms and effects resulting from abandoning Commanding good and forbidding evil are many, and there is not enough space to explain them all, we will list them briefly below:
1. Abandoning the Commanding what is good and forbidding what is evil leads to destruction.
2. Exclusion of the definition of goodness from this nation.
3. Daring to find evildoers and wrongdoers against righteous people and good people.
4. Abandoning the Command of what is good and forbidding what is bad leads to the appearance of ignorance and loss of knowledge.
5. Abandoning what is good and forbidding what is bad makes sins appear beautiful in the eyes of people.
6. Causes the rejecting of prayers (Dua).
7. It results in foreignness and alienation from the religion.
8. A Muslim achieves peace with common and widespread disbeliefs among them.
The Issue of Imamate
One of the issues that has long been discussed among different groups is the question of Imamate. The issue of Imamate, especially the Imamate kubra, is a very significant and esteemed one. The individual appointed to the Imamate serves as the guardian and protector of the religion, capable of effectively spreading and safeguarding it within his country or other nations, if able, ensuring its sanctity remains intact and inviolable.
Definition of Imamate
Imamate, derived from the Arabic infinitive of the verb «أمّ», signifies leading or going ahead of others. An Imam, therefore, is one who is followed, regardless of whether they hold a leadership position. Ibn Manzoor defines an Imam as someone followed by a group, regardless of whether these followers are on the righteous path or astray. The Imam takes charge as the guardian and reformer of all affairs. The Quran serves as the Imam of Muslims, while Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is the Imam of Imams. The caliph, meanwhile, serves as the Imam of the subjects, leading them in prayer with followers behind him.
Imamate in Terminology
Scholars have offered various definitions for Imamate in terminology, although differing in wording, they are closely aligned in meaning.
Imam Mawardi describes Imamate as established for the caliphate and succession of prophethood, tasked with protecting religion and managing political affairs that impact the world.
Imam al-Haramain al-Juwayni states that Imamate denotes total leadership, encompassing authority over specific and general matters of religion and worldly affairs.
Imam Nasafi defines it as the deputy of the Messenger of Allah in establishing religion, compelling all nations to follow him.
