Enjoining the Good and Forbidding the Evil (Part 7)
The Importance of Enjoining What is Good and Forbidden What is Evil
The task of enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong may cause hardships on your path of Da’wah (calling to the truth). However, the verse related to this matter advises patience and perseverance in continuing the work of enjoining good and forbidding evil. In fact, those who remain patient and steadfast in their mission will eventually witness the best results for their efforts. As Allah Almighty says: «یَا بُنَيَّ أَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ وَأْمُرْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَانْهَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَاصْبِرْ عَلَى مَا أَصَابَكَ إِنَّ ذَلِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ الْأُمُورِ». Translation: “O my son! Establish prayer and enjoin good and forbid evil and be patient with whatever befalls you. Undoubtedly, this is one of the great matters.”
Abandoning what is good and forbidding what is bad is one of the greatest causes of Allah’s curse, wrath, and punishment. Almighty Allah says: «لُعِنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْ بَنِيإِسْرَائِيلَ عَلَى لِسَانِ دَاوُودَ وَعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ ذَلِكَ بِمَا عَصَوْا وَكَانُوا يَعْتَدُونَ» Translation: “The unbelievers of the Children of Israel were cursed by the words of David and Jesus, the son of Mary, because they disobeyed and transgressed.”
Shaykh Ibn Baaz, may Allah have mercy on him, writes: “Allah, the Most High, has declared that abandoning what is known and forbidding evil is the greatest disobedience and enmity of the Children of Israel. This is due to the great dangers posed by neglecting this obligation.”
Imam Nawi, may Allah have mercy on him, also states: “When evils increase, both righteous and unrighteous people will suffer. If they do not restrain the oppressors, it is feared that Allah Almighty will punish everyone equally. Therefore, those who disobey the commands of Allah, the Exalted, should be wary of His trial and painful punishment.”
Commanding what is known and forbidding what is bad is a form of charity. It is narrated from the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that he said: «يُصْبِحُ عَلَى كُلِّ سُلاَمَى مِنْ أَحَدِكُمْ صَدَقَةٌ فَكُلُّ تَسْبِيحَةٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَكُلُّ تَحْمِيدَةٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَكُلُّ تَهْلِيلَةٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَكُلُّ تَكْبِيرَةٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَأَمْرٌ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ صَدَقَةٌ وَنَهْىٌ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ صَدَقَةٌ وَيُجْزِئُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ رَكْعَتَانِ يَرْكَعُهُمَا مِنَ الضُّحَى. Translation: “In exchange for every joint of each one of you, charity is required. Therefore, every tasbih (Subhan Allah) is charity; every Tahmid (Alhamdulillah) is charity; every Tahlil (La ilaha ila Allah) is charity; every takbir (Allah u Akbar) is charity; commanding what is known and forbidding what is bad is charity; and instead of all these, two rak’ahs of Duha prayer will suffice.”
Abandoning what is good and forbidding what is evil is also one reason for unanswered prayers. Hazrat Huzaifa (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: «وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِه لَتَأْمُرُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَلَتَنْهَوُنَّ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ، أَوْ لَيُوشِكَنَّ اللهُ أنْ يَبْعَثَ عَلَيْكُمْ عِقَابًا مِنْ عِنْدِهِ، ثُمَّ لَتَدْعُنَّهُ فَلا يَسْتَجِيبُ لَكُمْ.» Translation: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, either you command what is good and forbid what is bad, or Allah Ta’ala will soon send upon you a punishment from Him, and then you will call upon Him, but He will not respond to you.”
By referencing these reasons, we hope to clarify the importance of enjoining what is known and forbidding what is bad within the sacred religion of Islam, as well as to properly understand the aforementioned verses and hadiths of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. This matter holds special significance. Allah Ta’ala has emphasized this issue with great intensity across various verses, making humanity aware of its importance. The Prophet of Islam, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, has also articulated this issue clearly and comprehensively, communicating its importance to his companions. Therefore, there is no justification for Muslims to neglect this obligation or to ignore it. Everyone is required to strive toward enjoining what is good and forbidding what is bad and to fulfill their religious duties to the best of their ability.
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