The Divine Education Model in the Family of the Prophets (part 95)
Educational Guidelines from the Story of Luqman the Wise (AS)
Third Guideline: Establishing Prayer, Enjoining Good, and Forbidding Evil
As Luqman the Wise (AS) continued his educational counsel, he moved on—after firmly establishing the foundations of faith in his son’s heart, namely belief in the Oneness of Allah, certainty in the Hereafter, and conviction in Allah’s (SWT) perfect justice in reckoning human deeds—to explain the practical implications and consequences of these beliefs. These effects become manifest through righteous actions and virtuous conduct.
Allah the Exalted relates Luqman’s words as follows: (يَا بُنَيَّ أَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ وَأْمُرْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَانْهَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَاصْبِرْ عَلَى مَا أَصَابَكَ إِنَّ ذَالِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ الْأُمُورِ) Translation: “O my dear son! Establish prayer, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and be patient over whatever befalls you. Indeed, these are among the matters requiring determination and resolve.” [1]
After correcting and strengthening belief, Luqman (peace be upon him) places the first practical obligation upon his son: (يَا بُنَيَّ أَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ) Translation: “O my dear son! Establish prayer.” [2]
The command to establish prayer does not merely refer to performing its outward motions. Rather, it means observing prayer with all its conditions, pillars, humility, attentiveness, sincerity, and proper observance of its prescribed times, so that its spiritual and educational effects become evident in one’s life.
After instructing his son to reform himself, Luqman (AS) calls him to contribute to the reform of society as well, saying (وَأْمُرْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَانْهَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ) Translation: “Enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong.” [3]
Enjoining good encompasses all righteous and beneficial deeds, while forbidding evil includes preventing and discouraging all forms of wrongdoing and reprehensible conduct.
Thus, a true believer does not limit his concern to his own personal reform; rather, he also strives to contribute to the betterment of society and the guidance of others.
Luqman (AS) then advises his son to cultivate patience and perseverance: (وَاصْبِرْ عَلَى مَا أَصَابَكَ) Translation: “And be patient over whatever befalls you.” [4]
Patience here refers to enduring hardships, difficulties, and trials encountered while adhering to the truth. The connection between this instruction and the duty of enjoining good and forbidding evil is both profound and educational. Anyone who calls people to righteousness and warns them against wrongdoing may encounter hostility, ridicule, opposition, or various forms of harm from others.
A person engaged in the reform and guidance of society must understand that changing people’s attitudes and behavior is a gradual process that requires endurance, wisdom, and perseverance.
Many individuals initially react negatively to sincere advice and the presentation of truth. Therefore, if a caller to righteousness is impatient or easily discouraged, he may abandon his mission before achieving its intended results.
For this reason, patience serves as the essential support and foundation of all efforts toward reform and guidance. Calling others to the truth cannot endure without steadfastness and perseverance.
Through this advice, Luqman (AS) prepares his son for the realities of the path of daʿwah and reform. One who seeks to become a reformer must not merely speak the truth; he must also develop the capacity to endure the challenges that accompany it. Steadfastness, composure, forbearance, and patience are among the most important qualities that give lasting influence and effectiveness to a person’s efforts.
Luqman then emphasizes the significance of these duties by saying (إِنَّ ذَالِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ الْأُمُورِ) Translation: “Indeed, these are among the matters requiring firm determination.” [5]
The demonstrative pronoun “that” (ذَٰلِكَ) refers collectively to establishing prayer, enjoining good, forbidding evil, and exercising patience. These are among the great obligations and significant matters that Allah has commanded.
Some Qur’anic commentators have held that this expression refers specifically to patience, since patience is the foundation of steadfastness in the path of calling others to Allah and carrying out the responsibilities of religious reform.
