We Are Obliged To Command Good And Forbid Evil
Allah (swt) says,
Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma'ruf (all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful [Surah Al Imran 3:104]
Al-Khair in the above ayah is al-Islam, maruf means good, munkar means evil and the muflifoon are those who are successful.
Regarding the issue of what is good and what is evil; some topics are known by necessity, whereas others are only known by the scholars (ulema).
E.g. it is not allowed to burn fly using machine in butchers shop
E.g. the knife needs to be sharp before slaughtering
Commanding Good and Forbidding Evil in Society
The Leader in society, he is accountable to lead by the Shariah and not to bring any kufr bawah (clear disbelief); in turn if he will account the people to behave and abide by the shariah.
The people in society must rise and remove the leader if there are any signs of kufr bawah.
Al Maruf المعروف
The noun is derived from the Arabic verb arafa, which means to know; so linguistically maruf literally means something which is known.
A similar noun to maruf is al-Mustahsan or what is desirable or preferable
Shariah definition: A noun that composes any matter which is obedience to Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saw), whether wajib (obligatory) or mandoub (recommended)
The greatest maruf on a societal level is to call for Tawheed to be implemented on a state level i.e. Khilafah. This can be seen by the five main role of the Khilafah.
The Role of the Khilafah
1. Protection of the deen
§ Those who violate Allah (swt) limits are prevented and those who wish to attack Islam are repelled. We even kill the apostate.
2. Looking after the interest and managing the affairs of society
§ This is all in accordance with the Shariah.
The Messenger (saw) said, Each one of you is a guardian, the Imam is the guardian of the people
And Allah (swt) said,
Rule between them by what Allah has revealed [Surah Al Maidah 5:49 ]
3. Removing disputes and establishing justice
This is all in accordance with the Shariah. Allah (swt) says,
But no by your Lord they can have no faith until they make you judge in all disputes between them [Surah An Nisa 4:65]
4. Protection of the State and the Ummah by Jihad
Allah (swt) says,
And make ready against them all you can with power [Surah Al Anfal 8:60]
5. To carry Islam to the world
§ Whether by the word (dawah) or the sword (foreign policy offensive jihad) to make Allah (swt) deen dominate.
Allah (swt) says,
It is he who sent his Messenger with guidance and the deen of truth to make it dominant over all other deens, even though the mushrikun hate it [Surah At Taubah 9:33]
Al Munkar المنكر
This noun means the opposite of Maruf.
A similar noun to munkar is al-Mustahjan which means undesirable/rejectable/deniable.
• Al-Ankar = reject/denied
• Ar-Rafada = reject
Shariah definition of Munkar: A noun composes any disobedience to Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saw), whether haram (prohibited) or makruh (dislike)
Its worthy noting here that the mother of all Maruf is Tawheed, and the mother of all Munkar is Shirk.
In summary
Maruf is what the Shariah/legislator says is good (hasan)
Munkar is what the Shariah/legislator says is ugly (qabeeh)
Allah (swt) says,
You are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma'ruf and forbid Al-Munkar and you believe in Allah. [Surah Al Imran 3:110]
The believers, men and women, are Auliya (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another, they enjoin (on the people) Al-Ma'ruf from Al-Munkar; [Surah At Taubah 9:71]
The greatest munkar on a societal level is man-made law, from which emanates all other munkar.
Societal Munkar is known as Munkar Assasie (root) law and order, which is linked to peoples transactions
Individual Munkar is known as Munkar Farie (branch) linked to individuals evil action
Removing the Munkar
1. Changing munkar (tagheer al munkar) by hand/body
2. Forbidding munkar (nahi anil munkar) by tongue/talks/books, etc
3. Rejecting munkar (al bara minal munkar) by heart an d walk away (lowest level of iman)
Allah (swt) says,
Evil (sins and disobedience of Allah, etc.) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned [Surah Ar Rum 30:41]
Those among the Children of Israel who disbelieved were cursed by the tongue of Dawud (David) and Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). That was because they disobeyed (Allah and the Messengers) and were ever transgressing beyond bounds.
They used not to forbid one another from the Munkar (wrong, evil¬doing, sins, polytheism, disbelief, etc.) which they committed. Vile indeed was what they used to do [Surah Al Maidah 5:78-79]
Command the good that is absent and forbid the evil that is present
Have Knowledge of ma'ruf and munkar
Need to have knowledge about ma'ruf and munkar
Allah (swt) says,
So know (O Muhammad SAW) that La ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), and ask forgiveness for your sin, and also for (the sin of) believing men and believing women. And Allah knows well your moving about, and your place of rest (in your homes). [Surah Muhammad 47:19]
The Messenger (saw) said, "at-Talibu ilmi faridatu ala kulli muslim"
Ibn Abbas said the knowledge here is: Malum minad-deen ilmud-dururah that knowledge which is known by necessity from this deen
Iman Ali said: what I know compared to what I dont know is like a needle dipped into an ocean and what it brings out.
Ibn Taimiyah said: the condition for commanding good and forbidding evil is to have knowledge of it.
Allah (swt) says,
Say: 'This is my way: I invite to Allah on/with clear knowledge [Surah Yusuf 12:108]
Qadi Abu Yala and also Ibn Qudamah said Baseerah is to know:
The call what you are calling for
The called knowledge about the one called
Way to call knowledge on how to call
Allah (swt) says,
Invite (mankind, O Muhammad SAW) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided. [Surah An Nahl 16:125]
The Messenger (saw) said, Convey from me even one verse
Reject bidah: Whosoever does an action not based on wahie will have it rejected.
We follow the haq which is the daleel (evidence), with the correct understanding i.e. what Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah are agreed upon. We are ahlul ittibah not taqleed
Ibn Masoud narrated the Messenger (saw) said,
Never a Prophet had been sent before me by Allah towards his nation who had not among his people (his) disciples and companions who followed his ways and obeyed his command.
Then there came after them their successors who said whatever they did not practice, and practiced whatever they were not commanded to do.
He who strove against them with his hand was a believer: he who strove against them with his tongue was a believer, and he who strove against them with his heart was a believer and beyond that there is no faith even to the extent of a mustard seed. [Muslim]
Evil (sins and disobedience of Allah, etc.) has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned [Surah Ar Rum 30:41]
Those among the Children of Israel who disbelieved were cursed by the tongue of Dawud (David) and Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). That was because they disobeyed (Allah and the Messengers) and were ever transgressing beyond bounds.
They used not to forbid one another from the Munkar (wrong, evil¬doing, sins, polytheism, disbelief, etc.) which they committed. Vile indeed was what they used to do [Surah Al Maidah 5:78-79]
Command the good that is absent and forbid the evil that is present
Have Knowledge of ma'ruf and munkar
Need to have knowledge about ma'ruf and munkar
Allah (swt) says,
So know (O Muhammad SAW) that La ilaha ill-Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), and ask forgiveness for your sin, and also for (the sin of) believing men and believing women. And Allah knows well your moving about, and your place of rest (in your homes). [Surah Muhammad 47:19]
The Messenger (saw) said, "at-Talibu ilmi faridatu ala kulli muslim"
Ibn Abbas said the knowledge here is: Malum minad-deen ilmud-dururah that knowledge which is known by necessity from this deen
Iman Ali said: what I know compared to what I dont know is like a needle dipped into an ocean and what it brings out.
Ibn Taimiyah said: the condition for commanding good and forbidding evil is to have knowledge of it.
Allah (swt) says,
Say: 'This is my way: I invite to Allah on/with clear knowledge [Surah Yusuf 12:108]
Qadi Abu Yala and also Ibn Qudamah said Baseerah is to know:
The call what you are calling for
The called knowledge about the one called
Way to call knowledge on how to call
Allah (swt) says,
Invite (mankind, O Muhammad SAW) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided. [Surah An Nahl 16:125]
The Messenger (saw) said, Convey from me even one verse
Reject bidah: Whosoever does an action not based on wahie will have it rejected.
We follow the haq which is the daleel (evidence), with the correct understanding i.e. what Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah are agreed upon. We are ahlul ittibah not taqleed
Ibn Masoud narrated the Messenger (saw) said,
Never a Prophet had been sent before me by Allah towards his nation who had not among his people (his) disciples and companions who followed his ways and obeyed his command.
Then there came after them their successors who said whatever they did not practice, and practiced whatever they were not commanded to do.
He who strove against them with his hand was a believer: he who strove against them with his tongue was a believer, and he who strove against them with his heart was a believer and beyond that there is no faith even to the extent of a mustard seed. [Muslim]
