The Ruling of Islam Regarding Enjoining Good
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The first question of Fatwa No. ( 10719 )
Q1: What is the ruling of Islam regarding enjoining good and forbidding evil, in accordance with the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, the hadiths and athar mentioned, and the methodology of the righteous Salaf concerning it, and the position of the ruler and the subjects toward it?
A1: It is obligatory for the Muslims that there be among them a group that calls to good, enjoins what is right, and forbids what is wrong. Allah the Exalted said:[Ali 'Imran 3:104] , and in achieving this lies the rectification of people and the uprightness of their affairs, and this community will be as Allah praised it in His saying: [Ali 'Imran 3:110] . And the one who carries this out must admonish those with hard hearts with what will soften their hearts, settle their souls, and incline them toward the obedience of Allah and His worship, and they must argue with those who have doubts in the best manner; so that they may see clearly and the truth becomes apparent to them, and they may find guidance to the straight path. Allah the Exalted said: [An-Nahl 16:125] And the Muslims are of different degrees in this: some call to what is right
and ensure its implementation with their hand, such as the rulers, the general ones like the ruler and his deputy, and the specific ones like the father and whoever takes his place. Some call to good and forbid evil with their tongue, such as the scholars and those in their position. And some have no authority, no power, and no strength of expression, so it is upon them to deny the evil with their heart. This is established in the hadith from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sahih Muslim 49a . So whoever neglects what is obligatory upon him in this has sinned and is in that similar to those about whom Allah said: [Al-Ma'idah 5:78-80] And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q1: What is the ruling of Islam regarding enjoining good and forbidding evil, in accordance with the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, the hadiths and athar mentioned, and the methodology of the righteous Salaf concerning it, and the position of the ruler and the subjects toward it?
A1: It is obligatory for the Muslims that there be among them a group that calls to good, enjoins what is right, and forbids what is wrong. Allah the Exalted said:
And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful.
وَلْتَكُنْ مِنْكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَYou are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah.
كُنْتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِInvite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best
ادْعُ إِلَى سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ وَجَادِلْهُمْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُand ensure its implementation with their hand, such as the rulers, the general ones like the ruler and his deputy, and the specific ones like the father and whoever takes his place. Some call to good and forbid evil with their tongue, such as the scholars and those in their position. And some have no authority, no power, and no strength of expression, so it is upon them to deny the evil with their heart. This is established in the hadith from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
He who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do it, then he should do it with his tongue, and if he has not strength enough to do it, (even) then he should (abhor it) from his heart, and that is the least of faith.
من رأى منكم منكرًا فليغيره بيده، فإن لم يستطع فبلسانه، فإن لم يستطع فبقلبه؛ وذلك أضعف الإيمان(78) Cursed were those who disbelieved among the Children of Israel by the tongue of David and of Jesus, the son of Mary. That was because they disobeyed and [habitually] transgressed. (79) They used not to prevent one another from wrongdoing that they did. How wretched was that which they were doing. (80) You see many of them becoming allies of those who disbelieved. How wretched is that which they have put forth for themselves in that Allah has become angry with them, and in the punishment they will abide eternally.
لُعِنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ عَلَى لِسَانِ دَاوُدَ وَعِيسَى ابْنِ مَرْيَمَ ذَلِكَ بِمَا عَصَوْا وَكَانُوا يَعْتَدُونَ (78) كَانُوا لاَ يَتَنَاهَوْنَ عَنْ مُنْكَرٍ فَعَلُوهُ لَبِئْسَ مَا كَانُوا يَفْعَلُونَ (79) تَرَى كَثِيرًا مِنْهُمْ يَتَوَلَّوْنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَبِئْسَ مَا قَدَّمَتْ لَهُمْ أَنْفُسُهُمْ أَنْ سَخِطَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَفِي الْعَذَابِ هُمْ خَالِدُونَ
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.