6: Commanding the Right & Forbidding the Wrong
In a world of moral relativism where permanent values tend to be interpreted in the light of personal and
perceived interests, the duty of commanding what is right and forbidding what is wrong is conspicuously absent.
In his book titled "Commanding the right and forbidding the wrong in Islamic thought", Michael Cook writes ...
"What kind of duty do we have to try and stop people doing wrong? The question is intelligible in just about every culture,
but few of them seek to answer it in a rigorous fashion. The most striking exception is found in the Islamic tradition,
where 'commanding right and forbidding wrong' is a central moral tenet mentioned in the Koran."
Commanding the Right & Forbidding Wrong
- Mission of the Righteous throughout history
One of the earliest revelations received by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was the injunction "arise and warn" (Qum-fandhir). The word andhir has been interpreted by scholars as commanding right and forbidding wrong.
Ibn 'Arabi said: "Commanding right and forbidding wrong is the essence of Islamic practices"
In the advice given by the wise Luqman to his son, the following is documented in the Qur'an: "O my son, establish prayers, command what is right and forbid what is wrong and patiently persevere all trials and tribulations. Surely, that is the most significant of deliberate actions." (Qur'an 31:17) - Trademark of True Believers
The true Believers are described as ...
"the best community raised for the benefit of humanity, commanding right and forbidding wrong and believing in Allah." (Qur'an 3:110)
This "best community" is meant to be an exemplary community, a community that the Qur'an refers to as a balanced community serving as a witness / standard for humanity. - Personal Duty of every Believer
Allah describes Believers as ...
"Believing males and females are friends and protectors of each other, they command what is right and forbid what is wrong"(Qur'an 9:71)
The Prophet said ...
"Whosoever observes any wrong should rectify it physically, if unable to then speak out against it, if unable then at least find it distasteful in the heart"
Etiquette of Commanding Right and Forbidding Evil
- Ensure that you are properly informed
The Qur'an warns us to verify our facts before engaging people, otherwise ... you harm people by stating unverified matters which you later regret. - Mind your Words
The essential purpose of commanding the good and forbidding the evil this is to increase the good, and reduce wrong. As such, it must be done after clear thinking and proper assessment of the situation, and possible outcomes. Until reasonably sure that one's words or actions will be of benefit (the least of which would be to affirm the truth, even if it is not heeded), and bereft of harm, one should not act. The scholars deduce this from the Prophet's words (Allah bless him and give him peace), "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him say what is good or remain silent." [Bukhari and Muslim]
Imam Nawawi explains,
Every legally responsible person should refrain from saying anything except when there is a clear advantage to speaking. Whenever speaking and not speaking are of equal benefit, it is sunnah to remain silent, for permissible speech easily leads to that which is unlawful or offensive, as actually happens much or even most of the time - and there is no substitute for safety. The Prophet (Allah) bless him and give him peace) said, "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him say what is good or remain silent." This hadith, whose authenticity Bukhari and Muslim concur upon, is an explicit legal text indicating that a person should not speak unless what he intends to say is good, meaning that the benefit of it is apparent to him. Whenever one doubts that there is a clear advantage, one should not speak. Imam Shafi`i said, "When one wishes to speak, one must first reflect, and if there is a clear interest to be served by speaking, one speaks, while if one doubts it, one remains silent until the advantage becomes apparent."
[Kitab al-Adhkar of Imam Nawawi] - Be not a Fault-finder
Do not pre-occupy your self with the faults of others nor forget the fact that human beings are fallible.
Prophet Muhammad said: "glad tidings to those more concerned with their own faults than focusing on the faults of others.
He warned: "among the worst of people are those who try to find fault with the innocent."
He also said: "all human beings commit wrong and the best of sinners are those who repent." - Do not deliberately expose the shortcomings of others
Except in the case of injustice and oppression, Allah does not love the advertising of people's shortcomings. Remember too, Whosoever covers the faults of others, Allah will cover his faults on the Day of Judgement. - Inform the Individual in the Best Possible Manner
The Prophet gave comprehensive advice regarding this matter. He said :
"No person is in a position to command good and forbid evil unless these three qualities are attained:
Knowledge regarding what one commands and what one forbids
Justice regarding what one commands and what one forbids
Kindness regarding what one commands and what one forbids" - Actions Speak Louder
Hadrat 'Ali said: "Guide others by your example rather than your words ".
Indeed, actions do speak louder than words.
Let us seriously consider this age-old wise request ...
" I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day,
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell me the way,
The eye is a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Teachings can be confusing but examples are always clear,
The lesson you convey in words you say may be fine and true,
But I'd rather get my lessons from observing what you do;
I may misunderstand you through the high advice you give,
But there is no misunderstanding how you act and live."