Ibn Bazz: Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil: Manner and Wisdom

( Part No : 7, Page No: 327) 

Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil: Manner and Wisdom 

Q:
What is the proper manner and the underlying wisdom of enjoining good and forbidding evil? A: 

This is a highly important question that is worthy of deep concern, for enjoining good and forbidding evil are of the most serious obligations in Islam. Indeed, undertaking this duty by the insightful and knowledgeable people is a great means to reform, guiding the societies, and keeping them away from Allah's punishment here and in the Hereafter. Allah (Exalted be He) says, You [true believers in Islâmic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad صلى االله عليه وسلم) and his Sunnah] are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al­Ma‘rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm has ordained) and forbid Al­Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islâm has forbidden), and you believe in Allâh. Allah depicts them as 'the best of peoples' for the good deeds mentioned. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) then says, Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islâm), enjoining Al­Ma‘rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do) and forbidding Al­Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islâm has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful. Allah describes those people as successful in absolute manner, for their undertaking this great obligation of enjoining good and forbidding evil. 

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They win success due to their good deeds. Success here refers to every good. Evidently, it is a means to happiness here and in the Hereafter. Allah also (may He be Praised), The believers, men 

and women, are Auliyâ’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another; they enjoin (on the people) Al­Ma‘rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do), and forbid (people) from Al­Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islâm has forbidden); they perform As­Salât (Iqâmat­as­Salât), and give the Zakât, and obey Allâh and His Messenger. Allâh will have His Mercy on them. Surely Allâh is All­Mighty, All­Wise. Here, the believing men and women are promised 

mercy for their good deeds including the act of enjoining good and forbidding evil. Apparently, the Ayah makes it plain that this is a duty on all believing men and women according to one's ability. Indeed, the duty of enjoining good and forbidding evil is one of the great morals and characteristics but it should be carried out kindly and wisely without violence or harshness. A person who undertakes this duty should be fully and deeply aware of al­Ma`aruf i.e. what Allah and his Messenger commanded, and al­Munkar i.e. what Allah and his Messenger forbade. 

It is obligatory on an advisor, man or woman, who performs this duty to be well­acquainted :)صلى االله عليه و سلم with the affairs that he discusses. Allah (Exalted be He) says, Say (O Muhammad "This is my way; I invite unto Allâh (i.e. to the Oneness of Allâh Islâmic Monotheism) with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me (also must invite others to Allâh i.e. to the Oneness of Allâh Islâmic Monotheism with sure knowledge). Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: Invite (mankind, O Muhammad صلى االله عليه و سلم) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islâm) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Revelation and the Qur’ân) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. The wisdom here refers to knowledge. Clearly, inviting people to Allah is a form of enjoining good and forbidding evil, for it discloses and proves the Truth for humankind. He who enjoins good 

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and forbids evil may have some authority that deters the evildoer and disobedient but inviting people to the Way of Allah is much broader and wider in scope, for it includes the clarification and guidance of all people to the Truth. 

To summarize, an Islamic caller and one who enjoins good and forbids evil has to be fully and deeply educated lest they should command an illegal matter or forbid a lawful practice. Again, this should be done kindly and wisely without the least violence or foul language. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says, And by the Mercy of Allâh, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh­hearted, they would have broken away from about you When entrusting them with His message to Pharaoh, Allah (may He be Praised and Exalted) addressed Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron) saying, "And speak to him mildly, perhaps he may accept admonition or fear (Allâh)."