Enjoining good and forbidding evil

Allaah, the Exalted, Says (what means): "Let there arise out of you a
group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining
Al-Ma`roof (i.e., Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to
do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam
has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful.'' [Quran 3:104]
"You (true believers in Islamic Monotheism) are the best of peoples
ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma`roof (i.e., Islamic
Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar
(polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden)''. [Quran
3:110]
"Show forgiveness, enjoin what isgood, and turn away from the foolish
(i.e., don't punish them).'' [Quran 7:199]
"Those among the Children of Israel who disbelieved were cursed by the
tongue of Daawood(David) and `Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). That
was becausethey disobeyed (Allaah and the Messengers) and were ever
transgressing beyond bounds. They used not to forbid one another from
the Munkar (wrong,evildoing, sins, polytheism, disbelief) which they
committed. Vile indeed was what they used to do". [Quran 5:78, 79]
"…We (i.e. Allaah Almighty) rescued those who forbade evil, and with a
severe torment We seized those who did wrong because they used to
rebel against Allaah's Command (disobey Allaah)." [Quran 7:165]
Abu Sa`eed Al-Khudri reported: The Messenger of Allaah said , "Whoever
amongst you sees an evil, he must change it with his hand; if he is
unable to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is yet unableto do
so, then with his heart; andthat is the weakest form of Faith" .
[Muslim]
This Hadeeth (narration) containsa very important prescription to
prevent the Muslim society from all things which are forbidden in
Islam. So long as Muslims adhered to it and ceaselessly and fearlessly
performed their obligation of enjoining the right and forbidding the
wrong, their society was largely safe from many evils and sins.
Nu`maan Ibn Basheer, May Allaah be pleased with him, reported: The
Prophet said: "The likeness of the man who observes the limits
prescribed by Allaah and that of the man who transgresses them is like
a group of people who get on board a ship after casting lots. Some of
them are in its lower deck and some of them in its upper (deck). Those
who are in its lower (deck),when they require water, go to the
occupants of the upper deck, and say to them: `If we make a hole in
the bottom of the ship, we shall not harm you.' If they (the occupants
of the upper deck)leave them to carry out their design they all will
be drowned. But if they do not let them go ahead (with their plan),
all of them will remain safe". [Al-Bukhaari]
We learn from this Hadeeth that the consequences of committing acts
which are forbidden in Islam are not confined only to those persons
who commit them, but the whole society has to suffer the consequences.
It is, therefore, essential that the people who are in the habit of
committing sinful acts and violate Divine injunctions, should be
checked to save the whole society from destruction. If this isnot
done, the entire society will have to face the Divine punishment.
The Prophet said, "Beware of sitting on roads (paths).' ' The audience
said: "We have them as sitting places.'' The Messenger said, "If you
have to sit there, then observe the rights of the way" . They asked,
"What are the rights of the way?'' He said, "To lower your gaze (on
seeing what is illegal to look at), removal of harmful objects from
the way, returning greetings, andenjoining good and forbidding wrong".
[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
This Hadeeth tells us that it is improper to sit on roadsides and
passages in such a way, which causes inconvenience to the people who
pass by. It is really very unfortunate that now we donot care about
such things at all. If sitting on the roadside is indispensable, then
it is essential to observe the requirements mentioned in the Hadeeth.
Some Islamic etiquette mentioned in this Hadeeth have also been stated
in other Ahadeeth (pl. or Hadeeth). For instance, politeness of
speech, sharing of someone's burden, helping the oppressed and the
troubled, guiding the wayward person to the right path, answering (in
the prescribed manner) one who sneezes, etc.
`Abdullaah Ibn `Abbaas reported: The Messenger of Allaah saw a man
wearing a gold ring. So he (the Prophet ) pulled it off and threw it
away, saying, "One of you takes a live coal, and puts it on his hand?!
'' Itwas said to the man after the Messenger had left: "Take your ring
(of gold) and utilize it,'' whereupon he said: "No, by Allaah, I would
never take it after the Messenger of Allaah has thrown it away".
[Muslim]
We learn from this Hadeeth that wearing gold rings (and other golden
ornaments) is prohibited for men. Unfortunately, it has become a
popular fashion nowadays for men to wear gold rings to signify their
marriage, which is a very dangerous custom that must be shunned.
`Aa'idh Ibn `Amr visited `Ubaidillaah Ibn Ziyaad (the ruler) and said
to him: "Son, I heard theMessenger of Allaah saying, 'The worst
shepherds (rulers) are those who deal harshly in respectof
supervision. Beware, don't be one of them! ''' Ibn Ziyaad said to him,
"Sit down, you are but a husk from among the Companions of the Prophet
'' `Aa'idh Ibn `Amr retorted:"Was there any husk among them? Surely,
husk came after them and among others than them". [Muslim]
This Hadeeth presents a model ofcourage and boldness of speaking the
truth before a tyrant. It was displayed by `Aa'idhin the court of
'Ubaidillaah Ibn Ziyaad, governor of Basrah. The latter humiliated
`Aa'idh the righteous preacher, for his straight forwardness and truth
but he repeated his statement about the eminence of the Companions of
the Prophet and said none of them could be called husk.
Huthaifah reported: The Prophet said, "By Him in Whose Hand my life
is, you either enjoin good and forbid evil, or Allaah will certainly
soon send Hispunishment to you. Then you willmake supplication and it
will not be accepted" . [At-Tirmithi]
To abandon the practice of enjoining virtue and forbidding vice is
likely to incur the displeasure of Allaah and the rejection of prayers
and supplications.