Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil: A Duty Feared by Atheists (Part Four)
Responses to Common Doubts About Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil
Second Doubt
Some people argue: “From the Qur’anic verses, it is evident that we are only responsible for ourselves and should focus on self-purification. We have no duty regarding the misguidance of others.” They cite the following verse of the Qur’an as evidence: (يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا عَلَيْكُمْ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۖ لَا يَضُرُّكُم مَّن ضَلَّ إِذَا اهْتَدَيْتُمْ) [المائدة: ۱۰۵] Translation: “O you who believe, take care of your selves. The one who goes astray cannot harm you if you are rightly guided.” [Al-Ma’idah: 105]
Response to This Doubt:
1. The apparent interpretation drawn by opponents contradicts the explicit texts mandating enjoining good and forbidding evil. Thus, this verse should not be interpreted in a way that contradicts those other commands.
2. In this verse, Allah conditions the prevention of harm from others’ misguidance on one’s guidance. And it is well-known that complete guidance is not attained unless a person fulfills all their religious duties, among which is enjoining good and forbidding evil.
3. The phrase “عَلَيْكُمْ أَنفُسَكُمْ” (“Take care of your selves”) emphasizes the importance of enjoining good and forbidding evil. Taking care of oneself includes fulfilling one’s religious obligations, and these two duties are among the most important of them.
Qadi Baydawi mentions that this verse was revealed when believers were grieved by the disbelief of others, even after inviting them to Islam, and they wished they would accept faith.
Sa’id ibn al-Musayyib interpreted the verse as: “If you enjoin good and forbid evil, and thereby attain guidance, then the misguidance of others will not harm you.”
Third Doubt
Some say: “We are not fully practicing good deeds nor avoiding evil; therefore, we should first focus on self-reform and not interfere in others’ affairs through enjoining good or forbidding evil.” They further argue that Allah has condemned those who advise others while forgetting themselves, as in these verses: (يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ) (كَبُرَ مَقْتًا عِندَ اللَّهِ أَن تَقُولُوا مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ [الصف: ۲–۳]) Translation: “O you who believe, why do you say what you do not do? It is greatly hateful in the sight of Allah that you say what you do not do.”
Also: (أَتَأْمُرُونَ النَّاسَ بِالْبِرِّ وَتَنسَوْنَ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ تَتْلُونَ الْكِتَابَ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ﴾ [البقرة: ۴۴]) Translation: “Do you enjoin righteousness upon others while you forget yourselves, though you recite the Book? Will you not reason?”
Response to This Doubt:
1. These verses do not condemn those who enjoin good and forbid evil; rather, they rebuke those who abandon righteousness and commit evil themselves. In other words, they criticize those who forget their duties and fail to practice what they preach.
2. Every accountable person has two responsibilities: (1) to perform good deeds and avoid evil, and (2) to enjoin good and forbid evil. Neglecting one duty is not a justification for abandoning the other.
3. While it is true that the most effective preaching comes from someone who also practices what they preach, even imperfect guidance is not without benefit. Of course, one should not be completely negligent in their actions while advising others, but occasional shortcomings do not invalidate one’s duty to advise.
Fourth Doubt
Some argue: “Enjoining good and forbidding evil should be avoided because it causes conflict and unrest.”
Response to This Doubt:
1. The situations in which one must enjoin good and forbid evil vary. In some cases, awakening people is necessary—even if it risks creating tension or conflict—especially when a greater public interest is at stake.
2. Due to widespread neglect of these duties, they have largely disappeared from society, and many now fear practicing them. However, if these duties were practiced regularly and publicly, few would dare to oppose the general public.
3. When carried out respectfully, wisely, and carefully, there is little to no risk of danger or harm.
Fifth Doubt
Some ask: “Wouldn’t it be better to respect each other’s beliefs? After all, sinners don’t usually go around advising others either!”
Response to This Doubt:
1. False beliefs should not be respected.
2. Unfortunately, some sinners actively encourage others to abandon their obligations and engage in sinful acts.
Sixth Doubt
“If enjoining good and forbidding evil is a duty, then why do common proverbs contradict it?”
They refer to sayings like:
• To each his own
• One who eats dates shouldn’t stop others from eating them
• No one can be buried in another’s grave
• One flower doesn’t bring spring
• Don’t compare yourself to the righteous
Response to This Doubt:
According to investigations, many of these proverbs were coined by colonial governments and foreign powers.
They were intentionally introduced to weaken the Islamic principle of social responsibility.
These are just a few of the doubts raised regarding these two fundamental religious duties.
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