All praise be to Allah Alone. Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, and his family, and Companions.
Enjoining the right and forbidding the wrong is the most important Islamic obligation for reformation, integrity, and salvation of the community in the present world and in the Hereafter. It isauthentically reported in "Sahih AlBukhari"from AlNu`man ibn Bashir (may Allah be pleased with him) who said, "I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) say, The example of the person abiding by Allah's restrictions in comparison to those who violate them is like the example of a group of people who drew lots for their seats in a ship. Some of them got seats in the upper part and the others in the lower. When the latter needed water, they had to go up to bring water (and that troubled the others), so they said, 'Let us make a hole in our share of the ship (and get water) saving those who are above us from troubling them'. The Prophet (peace be upon him ) said, 'So, if the people in the upper part left the others do what they had suggested, all the people (on board) would be destroyed, but if they prevented them, both parties would be safe."
So, consider O fellow Muslim this significant example given by the Master of all Children of Adam, the Messenger of the Lord of the Worlds, and the most knowledgeable about the conditions of society and the means of reform and the reasons for corruption. This example presents a crystal clear indication regarding the significance of enjoining good and forbidding evil, showing that it is the way of salvation and reformation of society. Consequently, it is the duty and obligation imposed on the Muslims to undertake it, since it is indeed the way to their safety from the means of perdition.
Allah (Exalted be He) frequently mentioned enjoining good and forbidding evil in His Glorious Book and stated that Muslims are the best of all nations
because of their praiseworthy traits, the most important of which is the enjoining of right and forbidding of wrong. Allah (Glorified and 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.
Thus, a religious Muslim who cares for the reformation of society should think how Allah opened this verse by mentioning enjoining right and forbidding evil before mentioning belief, even though belief is a condition for the validity of all acts of worships. This indicates the significance of such an obligation, for Allah (Exalted be He) gave it precedence because of the general reformation it entails.
Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says, 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 As Salât (IqâmatasSalât), and give the Zakât, and obey Allâh and His Messenger. Allâh will have His Mercy on them. Surely Allâh is All Mighty, AllWise.
O brother, reflect how Allah initiates the verse with the mention of enjoining good and forbidding evil, giving it precedence over Salah and Zakah only because of the previous indication of its significant weight and its universal benefit and impact on society. This verse also indicates that enjoining good and forbidding evil is a trait exclusive to the believers, male and female, and one of their obligatory characteristics that they can neither abandon or neglect. Indeed, there are many verses containing the same meaning.
On the other hand, Allah (Exalted be He) condemned and cursed those who abandoned this obligation such as the Israelite disbelievers Allah (Exalted be He) says in His Glorious Book, in Surah A lMa'idah, Those among the Children of Israel who disbelieved were cursed by the tongue of Dâwûd (David) and 'Isâ (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). That was because they disobeyed (Allâh and the Messengers) and were ever transgressing beyond bounds. They used not to forbid one another from AlMunkar (wrong, evildoing, sins, polytheism, disbelief) which they committed. Vile indeed was what they used to do.
This verse includes guidance from Allah (Exalted be He) to the Ummah of Muhammad (peace be upon him) that the reason for cursing the disbelievers of the Children of Israel and condemning them is their disobedience and transgression. This transgression involves their neglect to forbid
evil among themselves. In consequence, the verse implies a warning for our Ummah that they should guard against the evil consequences that befell the Children of Israel and to keep away from such abominable traits. The verse also points out that whenever our Ummah follows the abominable traits of the disbelievers among the Children of Israel, they will deserve cursing and condemnation incurred on those disbelievers. This is because the only link between humans
and their Lord is that of worship and obedience; so, those who uprightly adhere to the worship of Allah Alone, submits to His Commands, and abandons what He prohibited, will deserve Divine honor out of Allah's Bounty and Benevolence. Moreover, he will have an honorable mention and a commendable consequence. However, those who deviate from the path of truth will incur condemnation and cursing, and will draw upon themselves disappointment and loss.
It is authentically proven that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Whoever, among you, sees something abominable should rectify it with his hand; and if he does not have enough strength to do it, then he should do it with his tongue; and if he does not have enough strength to do it, (even) then he should (abhor it) from his heart, and that is the least (form) of Faith. Reported by Muslim (may Allah be merciful with him) in his "Sahih".
Muslim also reportedfrom Ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Never had a Prophet been sent before me by Allah to his nation but he had among his people his disciples and companions who followed his way and obeyed his command. Then there came after them successors who say whatever they do not practice, and practice whatever they are not commanded to do. He who strives against them with his hand is a believer: he who strives against them with his tongue is a believer, and he who strives against them with his heart is a believer, and beyond that there is no faith even to the extent of a mustard seed.
So, fear Allah O Muslim as regards yourself, struggle against it for the sake of Allah, stand firm and straight on His Law, and diligently strive to guide those under your wing including your family, siblings, and others; enjoin good and forbid evil as much as you can at all places and times in conformity with the Shar`i evidence mentioned above; adopt the morality of the believers and beware of the manners of disbelievers and criminals; and eagerly seek the salvation for you, your family and your fellow Muslims.
Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says, And enjoin AsSalât (the prayer) on your family, and be patient in offering them [i.e. the Salât (prayers)].
O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allâh, but do that which they are commanded.
Besides, it is narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) once ascended the pulpit, thanked and praised Allah (Exalted be He) and said, O people, Allah says to you, enjoin right and forbid evil, lest you should supplicate to Me but I do not answer your (supplication), and ask for My Favor but I do not give you, and seek My Help but I do not help you. Reported by Ibn Majah and Ibn Hibban in his "Sahih". The present
wording, however, is quoted from Ibn Hibban .
A lMa`ruf (good), O fellow brother, refers to all that Allah and His Messenger commanded while AlMunkar (evil) refers to all that Allah and His Messenger prohibited. AlMa`ruf includes all acts of worship, verbal and practical, while AlMunkar covers all acts of disobedience, verbal or practical. So, know O fellow Muslim brother that every Muslim is responsible for those under his care, asit is reported in "Sahih" of AlBukhari(may Allah be merciful with him) from Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
"All of you are guardians and are responsible for your charges, the ruler is the guardian of his subjects and is responsible for them, the man (husband) is the guardian of his family and is responsible for them, the woman (wife) is the guardian of her husband's house and is responsible for it, and the slave is the guardian of his master's belongings and is responsible for them". Then he (peace be upon him) said, "You are all guardians and responsible for your charges"
O Slave of Allah, Fear Allah and prepare an answer for question before you facing things beyond human ability. It is Allah Whom we ask to guide us all to His Straight Path, and to lead us all to carry out His Commands, stand firm on His Religion, and mutually enjoin good, disavow evil, and advise sincere and devout patience in performing it. Indeed, He is the Master of all this and is Able to do it. May Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon His Slave and Messenger, our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions, and those who follow his guidance.