AMR BIL MA'ROOF AND NAHI ANIL MUNKAR

The root word of “Ma’roof” is “Urf” comprising of three Arabic words “Ain” “Ra’” and “Fa’”. Urf means identify. Similarly, Munkar means which is not identified.

This obligation had been referred to in the Glorious Qur’an:

Surah Ale-Imran Ayah 104 as: “Let there be a group among you who will invite others to do good deeds, command them to obey the Law, and prohibit them from committing sins. These people will have eternal happiness.”

Surah Ale-Imran Ayah 110“You are the best nation that ever existed among humanity, as long as you command people to do good, prohibit them from evil, and believe in Allah.”

Surah Al-Tawbah Ayah 71: “The believers, both male and female, are each other’s protectors. They try to make others do good, prevent them from committing sins, perform their prayers, pay the religious tax, and obey Allah and His Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). Allah will have mercy on them; Allah is Majestic and All-Wise.”

Surah Luqman Ayah 17: “My son be steadfast in prayer. Make others do good. Prevent them from doing evil.”

Surah Al-Asr: “(I swear) by the time, human beings are doomed to suffer loss (and fail), except the righteously striving believers who exhort each other to truthful purposes and to patience.”

The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said: “The world is like a ship and mankind its passengers. The welfare of all depends upon the safe conduct of each. If anyone is found making a hole in the side of the ship, he must be stopped. He who does ‘amr bil ma’roof and nahi anil munkar’ is the vicegerent on the earth of Allah, His Messenger and the Book.”

The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) said: “All virtuous deeds including struggle in the path of Allah in comparison to amr bil ma’roof and nahi anil munkar are like spitting in the sea!”

The Infallible Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) said: “Amr bil ma’roof and nahi anil munkar are the most important obligations because upon them depends the performance of all other obligations. If amr bil ma’roof and nahi anil munkar are done, the earth will be a safe place, enemies will be subdued and all other affairs are discharged satisfactorily.”

These obligations are in two phases; in the first phase everyone is responsible to observe others and in the second phase it is the collective responsibility of a group to be assigned for this task, which is the “Wajib-e-Kifa’I”  

There are three requirements for these obligations:

1.       The person himself should have complete knowledge of what is good and what is bad.

2.       The person performing these obligations believes that the other person will listen and follow his advice.

3.       The person performing these obligations is satisfied that by his efforts, no personal or financial suffering is caused to any third party.

These obligations may be performed orally with a good intention at a reasonable occasion by persuading in a very polite manner. Surah Al-Nahl Ayah 125: “Call to the path of your Lord through wisdom and good advice and argue with them in the best manner.”Similarly, Surah Ale Imran Ayah 159:”Only through the divine mercy have you (Muhammad) been able to deal with your followers so gently. If you had been stern and hard hearted, they would all have deserted you a long time ago.”

The King of Martyrs, the Infallible Imam Husayn (a.s.) had recorded his will and gave it to his brother Hazrat Muhammad Hanafiya which states: “I did not revolt for the cause of evil tyranny or corruption, but to reform my grandfather‘s nation. I want to enjoin the good and denounce evil (amr bil ma’roof and nahi anil munkar), and take the course of my father (Imam Ali) and grandfather (the Noble Messenger s.a.w.a.s.)

Sources used:

The Glorious Qur’an (Urdu translation) – Tafsir –e-Namoona  by Ayatollah Naser Makarim Shirazi

Tawzeeh-ul-Masa’il by Ayatollah Ruhullah Khomeini & Ayatollah Gul Pa’igani (al-islam.org/Aalim Network)