Attributes of the Enforcer of Good and the Prohibitor of Evil
Knowledge
The second attribute of the one who enjoins good and forbids evil is the attribute of knowledge and understanding, because anyone who takes on the responsibility of enjoining good and forbidding evil must first be adorned with the ornament of knowledge and advance their invitation with the light of knowledge and in the brightness of understanding. Therefore, a Muslim must know the issues related to enjoining good and forbidding evil at a high level and in detail so that they can properly fulfill their duty. Otherwise, they may commit a forbidden act instead of forbidding evil, or they may intend to enjoin good but choose an inappropriate place for it or an unsuitable time for their invitation, which may lead them to commit a wrong while attempting to enjoin good.
Saadi, may Allah have mercy on him, has composed:
“O you who teach knowledge to others,
Drink what you say to people yourself.
If you do not heal your own flaws,
Then remain silent about the faults of others.
Jalal al-Din Rumi has also stated regarding knowledge and its importance:
“When the water of knowledge springs from the heart,
It neither becomes stale, nor old, nor yellow.
Many scholars are deprived of true knowledge,
Hafez is one who seeks knowledge, not mere friendships.
Thus, knowing the issues related to enjoining good and forbidding evil, as well as the knowledge of its rulings, conditions, and details, is necessary and essential for those who enjoin good and forbid evil; because if a person is seeking water in a place where the spring is located to the north, and they go further south, even if they increase their speed, they will only move farther away from the spring.
In Islamic law and in the sacred religion of Islam, one of the conditions for enjoining good and forbidding evil is the knowledge of the one who enjoins and forbids, who must know whether the matter they wish to forbid is indeed evil, and they must also know what they are guiding others towards is considered good; because Islam has presented all obligations as good and all prohibitions as wrongs. For this reason, the one who enjoins good and forbids evil must have the necessary and complete understanding of obligations and prohibitions to effectively carry out their duty in this regard.
In Islam, the specific topic of concern in this matter is the quality or manner of the inviter’s awareness and knowledge of the contents of the invitation, which requires attention to two essential principles:
1. Subjective Ignorance: An individual does not know whether the food or item they are consuming is pure or impure. However, based on the indications they have and knowing that it was originally pure, they consume it without realizing it is impure and forbidden. If they see any impurity in it, they recognize it as dirty and avoid it.
2. Judicial Ignorance: A person, without knowing the ruling on eating the testicles of halal animals, cooks and eats them. In this example, they are completely unaware of the ruling regarding their consumption and mistakenly believe that, like other parts of the halal animal, they are permissible to eat.
The main distinction between the two examples is that in the first case, the individual knows the ruling of impurity but, due to ignorance or not seeing the effects of impurity, does not realize it has become impure. In the second case, they know the nature of the item but do not know its legal ruling. Therefore, in both cases, they commit an error and mistake, and in both situations, it is necessary and obligatory for those around them to advise and inform them about the impurity of the food in the first case and the disliked nature of eating testicles in the second case, so they do not commit a wrongdoing. Ignorance and lack of knowledge are considered flaws for a person and are highly criticized in Islam, while scholars and knowledgeable individuals are always praised and commended. As Allah the Almighty says regarding knowledge and the status of its possessors: (يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنْكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ) Translation: “Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge by degrees, and Allah is Acquainted with what you do.” [Al-Mujadila: 11]
Imam Bukhari, may Allah have mercy on him, has dedicated a separate chapter in his esteemed book, Sahih Bukhari, to the topic of knowledge, scholars, and the virtue of learning. In this chapter, he has mentioned detailed and beneficial information regarding knowledge and education, which itself serves as strong evidence of the status and importance of knowledge in human life. It must be emphasized that the role of knowledge in influencing and the effectiveness of calling to good and forbidding what is wrong is undoubtedly an undeniable role, and moreover, it plays a significant and key part in advancing this great and monumental responsibility. Since the key to entering Islam is the word of Tawhid, and the fundamental goal and the most important objective of all callers to Islam is the recognition of Allah, as stated in the verse: (فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ) “So know that there is no deity except Allah” (Muhammad: 19); this emphasizes the importance of knowledge in the mission of guidance.
Similarly, Islamic scholars and scientists hold a high status before Allah, the Exalted. Allah has mentioned their elevated rank in various verses, stating: (إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُ) “It is only those who have knowledge among His servants that fear Allah” (Fatir: 28).
(وَمَا يَعْقِلُهَا إِلَّا الْعَالِمُونَ) Translation: “And only the knowledgeable will understand them.” [Ankabut: 43].
(وَقَالُوا لَوْ كُنَّا نَسْمَعُ أَوْ نَعْقِلُ مَا كُنَّا فِي أَصْحَابِ السَّعِيرِ) [Mulk: 10]; Translation: “And they say: If we had listened or understood, we would not have been among the inhabitants of Hell.”
(هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ) ” [Zumar: 9]; Translation: “Say: Are those who know and those who do not know equal?! Only the wise take admonition.”
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), who is the second legislator of Islam and the interpreter and explainer of the commands and rulings of Allah the Exalted to humanity, has also stated regarding knowledge and its spiritual value for humans: «مَن يُرِدِ اللَّهُ بِهِ خَيْرًا يُفَقِّهْهُ فِي الدِّينِ، وَإِنَّمَا الْعِلْمُ بِالتَّعَلُّمِ» “Whomever Allah intends good for, He grants him understanding in religion, and knowledge is attained through learning.”
Hakim Ferdowsi has also composed verses about knowledge and its status:
“Seek knowledge and rise above it,
If you wish to avoid harm from evil.
In knowledge, seek self-sufficiency,
And even if hardships come your way.
The heart of stone and mountain laments from the ignorant,
For they have no complaint against anyone.
Strong is he who is knowledgeable,
From knowledge, the heart of the old becomes young.”
Therefore, the role of knowledge in influencing the command of good and the prohibition of evil is undeniable, and those who invite others with knowledge and understanding are never equal to those who lack knowledge and may themselves commit errors and wrongs. An inviter can act more successfully when armed with the weapon of knowledge and has understanding as his guiding light, walking in the radiance of knowledge in pursuit of guiding and commanding people.
