Consequences of Abandoning Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil
Failure to Attain Obedience and Power
Enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong is at the top of all good and righteous matters. Every action and deed performed in this world, while being connected to the Hereafter, falls into one of two categories: either it is good and well-known, which earns the satisfaction of the Lord of the Worlds and has rewards, and also brings a good reputation and blessings in this life; or it is evil and wrongful, which incurs the dissatisfaction of Allah Almighty and constitutes a sin, resulting in infamy and hatred in this world.
Therefore, since power and obedience in the religion of Islam are a divine principle and promise, they are granted to those who, beyond holding this firm faith, perform righteous deeds. Among these righteous deeds, enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil is of utmost importance, as it paves the way for all other good actions. This promise from Allah (s.w.t) to His servants is valid for those whose faith and good deeds have earned them the honor of being the caliphs of the Lord of the Worlds on earth and who serve Him sincerely, sparing no effort for His pleasure. As Allah Almighty says:
«وَعَدَ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ الَّذِي ارْتَضَى لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا يَعْبُدُونَنِي لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًا وَمَنْ كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ» [An-Nur: 55] Translation: “Allah has promised those of you who believe and do good that He will grant them succession in the earth, just as He made the righteous Prophets succeed those before them. He will establish for them their religion (which is pleasing to Him) and grant them security from their enemies after fear and doubt, that they worship Me alone, without polytheism or hypocrisy. And whoever disbelieves after that, then indeed they are the transgressors.”
This is a true promise, the interpretation and fulfillment of which have been demonstrated in practice. Allah has promised the individuals of this nation who believe and do righteous deeds that He will make them successors to the chosen ones and will grant them authority and command over the earth. They will lead its affairs and have been promised the establishment of Islam, the religion that is superior to all others. Allah (s.w.t) has chosen this religion for this nation, granting them honor, superiority, and divine blessings, empowering them to establish the religion and implement its internal and external rules among themselves and others, turning the fear of the believers into security and tranquility.
Good deeds, the pinnacle of which is enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, are of immense value to Allah (s.w.t). Through these deeds, He appoints man as His caliph, fortifying his religion and transforming fear into security and tranquility so that people worship Allah, the ultimate purpose of creation. However, if this mission is abandoned, consequences will ensue, the foremost being human corruption—a phenomenon alluded to in the last part of the verse. Without a doubt, disobedience to the Creator’s command and ingratitude for His blessings are a certainty.
Thus, one of the grave consequences of abandoning Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil is the loss of power and status. A clear examination of the situation of Muslims around the world reveals this reality. Our indifference to evil and our negligence concerning good and virtuous deeds is a major reason for the weakness and inferiority of Muslims in the face of the non-Islamic world. This situation results from our failure to adhere to our commitments to our Creator, which has deprived us of His blessings and graces. It is true that “it is we who oppress ourselves.”
Abandoning Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil: A Sign of Weak Faith and Belief
The noble Sahaba and religious leaders have always stood firm against evil, urging people towards good and virtuous deeds. For instance, a study of the life of Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) and his responses to wrongdoing illuminates the strength of his faith. The accounts of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) dealing with those who denied zakat, the jihad of the Sahaba against wicked self-proclaimed prophets, and the resolute stance of religious Imams against innovations and evils all testify to their steadfast faith. They never accepted wrongdoing in silence or legitimatized it; they consistently provided guidance to the Islamic Ummah, as their convictions prohibited such tolerance. They defended the truth with both words and actions, standing against evil like a strong fortress. They resisted the oppression of tyrants, the mockery of the wicked, the tricks of hypocrites, and the brutality of oppressive rulers. They sacrificed their lives, wealth, and positions for the truth but never abandoned their steadfast faith. They fully believed in the hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that states: «مَنْ رَأَى مِنْكُمْ مُنْكَرًا فَلْيُغَيِّرْهُ بِيَدِهِ، فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَبِلِسَانِهِ، فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَبِقَلْبِهِ، وَذَلِكَ أَضْعَفُ الْإِيمَانِ» Translation: “Whoever of you sees an evil deed, let him change it with his hand; if he is unable to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is unable to do so, then with his heart; and that is the weakest degree of faith.”
In this hadith, the significance of Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil is clearly emphasized alongside the moral responsibilities of Muslims. A true Muslim should never be indifferent to evil and must not be passive. It is every Muslim’s duty to resist evil by all means necessary. If one lacks the power or ability to confront wrongdoing and feels too weak and isolated in society to oppose actions that contradict their beliefs, they should at least regard those actions as abominable in their hearts. However, the responsibility to enjoin good and forbid evil through actions and speech persists, and when one acquires power, they must strive to prevent the occurrence of immoral actions in every possible way. They must be vigilant that their faith does not weaken to the point of inaction concerning evil and neglecting the call to good deeds, as such a stance is unbecoming of a Muslim and a believer. In Islam, a strong believer is superior to a weak believer.
Therefore, in societies where enjoining good and forbidding evil has been neglected, the solution lies solely in strengthening faith and renewing belief. On the other hand, those who wish to cultivate strong faith and unwavering conviction must prioritize enjoining good and forbidding evil, encourage others to perform righteous deeds, prohibit wrongful acts, and carefully consider their conduct—avoiding sin, striving for virtue, and enhancing the quality of their faith and belief.
