Amr Bil Ma'roof (enjoining Good & Forbidding Evil)

‫المر با المعروف و نهى عن المنكر‬ (Enjoining good and forbidding evil) Islam is not a new religion that was established 14 centuries ago by the Prophet Muhammad but is rather a continuation of the same message that Allah Almighty revealed to all his Prophets and Messengers beginning with the first man Adam . Through the passage of time this divine system of guidance became corrupted and was in turn renewed and re-invigorated by each successive Prophet culminating in the Seal of the Prophets Muhammad who was sent as a mercy to all mankind, with a final guidance valid for all times and ages to come till the day of judgement. In common with the other two Abrahamic faiths i.e. Judaism & Christianity, the teachings of Islam contains a set of rules and regulations; Shariah1 which rather than being an end in itself is more of a means to an end. The objectives in this case being the refinement and purification of society, the eradication of vice and evil in all manifestations, and the creation of an atmosphere conducive to good conduct and deeds. Allah Almighty in his infinite wisdom has deputed man as his vicegerent on earth: “Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: ‘I will create a vicegerent on earth.”2 After being promoted to such an elevated position humans are responsible for both upholding good conduct themselves (i.e. performing good deeds and shunning evil) and also calling other fellow humans to the same model of conduct. Muslims are not an insular community who neither remain aloof from worldly affairs like the monks of Christianity nor are they completely absorbed in the world like faithless people who have no belief in life after death. Instead the Muslim community was instructed by Allah Almighty through the Holy Quran and teachings of The Prophet Muhammad to adopt a middle path between both extremes in all areas of life. By combining both the Deen and Dunya (religious and worldly spheres) Muslims can create an impression both through their conduct and Nasiha (advice) that creates an impetus for society to change for the better. Much of humanity through the lack of access to revealed religion and corruption in the original Abrahamic faiths are unable to uphold the huge responsibility as vicegerent placed upon them by their creator Allah Almighty. Allah therefore addresses Muslims (Specifically the Ummah (Nation) of Muhammad in the following verse of the Holy Quran:

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Lit: The Path Al-Quran / Baqarah (2:30)

Ye are the best of Peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah. If only the People of the Book had Faith, it were best for them: among them are some who have Faith, but most of them are perverted transgressors.3 Although Allah Almighty has specified Muslims as the best of peoples among all mankind, this superiority is conditional upon the following three qualities: • • •

Enjoining what is right (Good and righteous conduct and deeds) Forbidding what is wrong (All unlawful acts of vice, evil and transgression) Belief in Allah

As long as Muslims hold fast to these three principles and adopt them in their daily lives, they are blessed with qualitative superiority by Allah Almighty. Those Muslims who fail to abide by these regulations can claim no such distinction from the rest of mankind. This is one of the principle verses of the Quran from which the concept of ‫المر با المعروف و نهى عن المنكر‬4 (Enjoining good and forbidding evil) is derived. The following is a word by word explanation of the concept: • ‫المر‬: (Order, Command): Depending on the social level of the individual the nature of the command also varies accordingly. For those in authority and a position of power such as a ruler of a state or a local governor, or parents it is in the form of a direct law or command to their subject peoples or children. While in the case of a friend, sibling, or colleague it can only take the form of sincere advice as the element of authority is lacking in such relationships. • ‫المعروف‬: (Known, Famous): Ways of good conduct, deeds and behaviour that are so well known and universally valued that no elaboration is necessary. Theft, Murder, Slander, Lies, etc. are universally known as evil traits among all peoples of the world. Likewise Truth, Charity, Peace, Fidelity etc. are universally cherished values of good. • ‫نهى‬: (Forbiddance): As in the case of ‫ المر‬ability to forbid others from evil varies according to the level of authority. Those in a position of means and power are able to stamp out evil with an iron fist. While those lacking such means have to resort to sincere advice, mild rebukes and abandonment according to the severity of the deed. • ‫المنكر‬: (Detestable, Outrageous, Rejected): All acts of evil condemned by Allah in The Holy Quran and forbidden by the Holy Prophet These are both a danger to the perpetrator as well as being a menace to society at large. Using the above the Islamic concept of ‫ المر با المعروف و نهى عن المنكر‬can be summed up as commanding/advising others to good(Public5) conduct and forbidding/dissuading them from evil conduct. 3

Al-Quran / Aal- Imran (3:110) Literal Tr. Order with (that which is) known and forbiddance from detestable/outrageous 5 Private vice and evil is a matter between the perpetrator and Allah. ‫ المر با المعروف و نهى عن المنكر‬is a social concept concerned with the preservation of good and eradication of evil from society as a whole. Hence efforts by certain countries that have created departments of Vice & Virtue and intrude into peoples private lives are misguided and have no precedent in Islamic History. 4

Following are some other verses of the Quran6 dealing with the concept of ‫ المر با المعروف و نهى عن المنكر‬in numerical order together with a brief explanation: •

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Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: they are the ones to attain felicity.7 (While this is a clear justification for a group of people to actively propagate the concept of ‫ المر با المعروف و نهى عن المنكر‬it has been misused in recent times by certain extremist elements who have failed to distinguish between the public and private domains of fellow Muslims. They believe in Allah and the Last Day; they enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong; and they hasten (in emulation) in (all) good works: they are in the ranks of the righteous.8 Upholding the concept of Enjoining good and forbidding evil is one of the qualities of those who are righteous. And they always hasten to uphold the values of justice and performance of good deeds. In most of their secret talks there is no good; but if one exhorts to a deed of charity or justice or conciliation between men, (secrecy is permissible): to him who does this, seeking the good pleasure of Allah, We shall soon give a reward of the highest (value).9 (In most cases there is little benefit in secret talk unless it is for creating peace between fellow men or encouraging others towards charity or upholding justice. If the intention in doing the above is solely seeking the pleasure of Allah, then Allah Almighty would grant that person a deserving reward.) Hold to forgiveness; command what is right; but turn away from the ignorant.10(According to the Mufassireen11of the Holy Quran this verse is addressed to the Prophet Muhammad , advising him to be benevolent towards the Muslims, always commanding what is right but not punishing those who are foolish and insolently disrespectful due to their ignorance.) The Hypocrites, men and women, (have an understanding) with each other: they enjoin evil, and forbid what is just, and are close with their hands. They have forgotten Allah; so He hath forgotten them. Verily the Hypocrites are rebellious and perverse.12(Hypocrites do the exact opposite of what Muslims have been commanded to do; they enjoin evil instead of good and forbid what is just as opposed to what is evil. They are miserly in spending in the way of Allah i.e. charity, alms etc. They are the most perverse of people who have a pact committed to spreading evil. The Believers, men and women, are protectors, one of another: they enjoin what is just and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, practice regular charity, and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His Mercy: for Allah is exalted in power, Wise.13 (The Quranic command of Enjoining good and forbidding evil is equally valid for both men and women. The believers are like one strong wall whose bricks add strength to each other.

Translated by Abdullah Yusuf Ali Al-Quran / Aal-Imran (3:104) 8 Al-Quran / Aal-Imran (3:110) 9 Al-Quran / An-Nisa (4:114) 10 Al-Quran / Al- ‘Araf (7:199) 11 Commentators 12 Al-Quran / At-Tauba (9:67) 13 Al-Quran / At-Tauba (9:71) 7

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They constantly encourage each other towards good acts and dissuade others from evil. Those that turn (to Allah) in repentance; that serve Him, and praise Him; that wander in devotion to the Cause of Allah; that bow down and prostrate themselves in prayer; that enjoin good and forbid evil; and observe the limits set by Allah; (these do rejoice). So proclaim the glad tidings to the Believers.14 (Such are the qualities of those believers whose lives Allah Almighty has purchased for Paradise. They are the successful ones who perform the obligatory duties and worship Allah. They avoid falling into the unlawful and obey the supreme lawmaker’s limits.) (They are) those who, if We establish them in the land, establish regular prayer and give regular charity, enjoin the right and forbid wrong: with Allah rests the end (and decision) of (all) affairs. 15 (An example is made of those people who when given Authority & Power (Government) in the land do not neglect the obligations of Islam and uphold justice by ruling by Allah’s law. They encourage virtue and eradicate evil. Allah Almighty is the supreme lawmaker; man is only the enforcer of that law.16 "O my son! establish regular prayer, enjoin what is just, and forbid what is wrong; and bear with patient constancy whatever betide thee; for this is firmness (of purpose) in (the conduct of) affairs.17 (The Hakeem18 or according to some scholars Prophet Luqman advises his son to be steadfast on the path of righteousness and patiently bear any adversity he encounters on such a path. He gives his son the same advice rendered by all Prophets and wise men; to establish worship of their Lord Allah and advise others towards good deeds while restraining them from what is clearly wrong.)

Second only to the Quran as a source of legislation and guidance are the Ahadith (Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad ) Listed below are various Ahadith dealing with the subject of ‫ المر با المعروف و نهى عن المنكر‬compiled from the authentic Sahih Sitta19 books of Hadith:

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Narrated By Jabir bin ‘Abdullah: The Prophet said, Enjoining, all that is good is a Sadaqa."20 (Sadaqa among common usage is known as monetary alms, the Prophet however specified that even advising towards good deeds is charity.)

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Narrated By Abu Said Al-Khudri : The Prophet said, 'Beware! Avoid sitting on the roads." They (the people) said, "O Allah s Apostle ! We can't help sitting (on the roads) as these are (our places) here we have talks." The

Al-Quran / At-Tauba (9:112) Al-Quran / Al-Hajj (22:41) 16 This is a revelation for those so called Islamic regimes that refuse to rule by Allah’s law and instead enforce Non-Muslim systems of governance and laws. They were granted power by Allah’s leave, yet refuse to rule by his laws. 17 Al-Quran / Luqman (31:17) 18 Wise Man 19 Namely Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan Tirmidhi, Sunan Abu Dawud, Sunan Nisai and Sunan Ibn-e-Majah. 20 Sahih Bukhari Volume 008, Book 073, Hadith Number 050 15

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Prophet said, ' l f you refuse but to sit, then pay the road its right ' They said, "What is the right of the road, O Allah's Apostle ?" He said, 'Lowering your gaze, refraining from harming others, returning greeting, and enjoining what is good, and forbidding what is evil."21 (Normally those who congregate on roads and passageways are a hindrance and nuisance to others. In case of necessity it is allowed to get together in such places as long as the public benefits by their presence). Shaqiq reported that it was said to Usama b. Zaid: Why don't you visit 'Uthman and talk to him? Thereupon he said: Do you think that I have not talked to him but that I have made you hear? By Allah. I have talked to him (about things) concerning me and him and I did not like to divulge those things about which I had to take the initiative and I do not say to my ruler: "You are the best among people," after I beard Allah's Messenger as saying: A man will be brought on the Day of Resurrection and thrown in Hell-Fire and his intestines will pour forth in Hell and he will go round along with them, as an ass goes round the mill-stone. The denizens of Hell would gather round him and say: O, so and so, what has happened to you? Were you not enjoining us to do what was reputable and forbid us to do what was disreputable? He will say: Of course, it is so; I used to enjoin (upon people) to do what was reputable but did not practise that myself. I had been forbidding people to do what was disreputable, but practised it myself.22 (Hypocrisy among people takes various forms; among them is the action of not practicing what one preaches. This is truly condemnable behaviour, hence the severe punishment described by the Prophet in the above Hadith.) Narrated By Abdullah ibn Mas'ud : The Apostle of Allah said: The first defect that permeated Banu Isra'il was that a man (of them) met another man and said: O so-and-so, fear Allah, and abandon what you are doing, for it is not lawful for you. He then met him the next day and that did not prevent him from eating with him, drinking with him and sitting with him. When they did so. Allah mingled their hearts with each other. He then recited the verse: "curses were pronounced on those among the children of Isra'il who rejected Faith, by the tongue of David and of Jesus the son of Mary"...up to "wrongdoers”. He then said: By no means, I swear by Allah, you must enjoin what is good and prohibit what is evil, prevent the wrongdoer, bend him into conformity with what is right, and restrict him to what is right.23 (Advice is the first stage in bringing people round from evil toward good deeds. In the case of those who are stubborn in their attitude and continue to transgress the limits prescribed by Allah Almighty it is recommended to abandon them for ones own safety. Not doing so will further embolden them towards evil.)

Sahih Bukhari Volume 008, Book 074, Hadith Number 248 Sahih Muslim Book 42 Hadith No. 7122 Chapter: The Punishment of one who Commands others to do good but does not do it himself and he forbids others to do evil but does not himself refrain from it. 23 Sunan Abu Dawud Book 32 Hadith No. 4322 22