Good Deed: #105 Enjoin good Forbid Evil

 

 

3:104 (Y. Ali) 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.

3:110 (Y. Ali) 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.

9:71 (Y. Ali) The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another: they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, practise regular charity, and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise.

9:112 (Y. Ali) 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 limit set by Allah.- (These do rejoice). So proclaim the glad tidings to the Believers.

22:41 (Y. Ali) (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.

31:17 (Y. Ali) “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.

On the authority of Abu Sa`id (radhiallahu `anhu) that the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said, “Whoever sees something evil should change it with his hand. If he cannot, then with his tongue; and if he cannot do even that, then in his heart. That is the weakest degree of faith.” (muslim)

on the authority of Ibn Mas`ud that the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, “There was not a single Prophet among those who were sent before me who did not have apostles and companions and followed his Sunna and obeyed his commands. But afterwards other generations came whose words belied their deeds, and whose deeds were not in accordance with what they commanded others to do. Whoever struggles against the with his hand is a believer. Whoever struggles against them with his tongue is a believer. And whoever struggles against them with his heart is a believer. But when none of these things are done, then not a single mustard’s seed weight of faith is present.” (muslim)

Zaynab (radhiallahu `anha), the wife of the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, “The Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) once awoke, and his face was dark, as he said three times, ‘There is no deity worthy of worship but Allah! Woe betide the Arabs, because of an evil which will soon come! Today, the barrier of Juj and Ma`juj has been breached by so much,’ and he made a circle with his thumb and forefinger.” And Zaynab remarked, “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Even when the righteous still dwell amongst us?’ and he said, ‘Yes, when khubth (moral degradation) becomes widespread.'”

The Prophet(SAW) said: “We have become accustomed to loving the world, so that we do not enjoin good or forbid evil to one another. Allah the Most High will certainly not permit us to continue doing this, but would that I knew what kind of punishment shall befall us!” Bukhari

`Umar ibn `Abdul `Aziz said, “It used to be that Allah the Most High does not punish the common people for the sins of the elite; but when the evil is done openly, and they do not repudiate it, they all become deserving of His punishment.” (bukhari)

Narrated Jabir bin Abdullah The Prophet said, “Enjoining all that is good is a Sadaqa.” (Bukhari)

The Prophet (saaws) said: If the people see an evil and they do not change it, soon Allah will inflict them all with His Punishment. (Ahmed, graded authentic by Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’ (1/398)

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Action Plan

1. In order to properly enjoin good and forbid evil we must know the principles governing them, and how to distinguish between them and when to act upon a thing and when not to. Actions or deeds are good only if they are accompanied with ‘full’ knowledge and wisdom

2.  Along with having knowledge, understanding and wisdom, we should be gentle and kind with others when enjoining what is right and forbidding what’s wrong for the better results. In Islam, there are thousands of ayat, ahadith and sayings of salaf and scholars about good-character, kindness, manners and being merciful/soft to the believing men and women.

3. Whoever intends to enjoin good and forbid evil must have sabr (patience) in the face of trials. He should know that he will be faced with many hurdles and subjected to all kinds of tests and tribulations, but he should strive and struggle with what he’s doing, seeking reward.

source: Guidelines on Enjoining Good & Forbidding Evil

Other resources

Enjoining good and forbidding evil 5 part seriesl

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