PART 6
Al Maruf – Al Munkar (commanding good and forbidding evil)
Maruf – something that is recognisable. Everything the Shariah has commanded is maruf OR anything that is good is maruf.
Al Munkar – something which is not good. Whatever is rejected or prohibited by shariah. That which is haram or makruh.
May not always know the actions of evil. Consequences may be evident later rather than immediate i.e raising children in the haram or not being able to discipline children and result in their undesirable behaviour.Allah (swt) has commanded us through the Quran and the Prophet (sws) has commanded us through the sunnah.
“The believers, male and female, they are mutual allies of one another, they command good and forbid evil, they establish the salat and give the zakat and they obey Allah and His Messenger. Those who call to this, Allah will show Mercy to them, Allah is the Almighty, the Wise.” (Surah Tawbah)
One of the characteristics of the believing men and women is Al Maruf, Al Munkar. Mentioned before the salah on this occasion thus emphasises the importance of this.
“The hypocrites, male and female, they are from one another.”
The believers are mutual allies, a solid relationship.
The munafiqs – command evil and prohibit good whereas believers command good and prevent evil.
A person sees an evil should stop it with his hand. If he can’t, then he should stop it with his tongue and if he can’t then he should hate it with his heart and that is the weakest of faith. If you had the means/power you would stop it. If you don’t command good and forbidding evil, then this society will suffer.
“Will we be destroyed, if there are righteous people amongst us?” “Yes – if evil is prevalent”
(sahih bukhari)
May have pious people, scholars. However in dunya, everyone shall be punished, even if in different ranks because of widespread evil. Every Muslim is required to command good and forbid evil – a general requirement. Must command and forbid in the heart, after that there is no faith. Problem when so much fitna goes on – we start to become immune to it. It doesn’t phase us anymore. May even start to accept it – this heart is dying.
Although Al maruf and al munkar is required on all of us, As long as some from the community are there to represent the wider society then it is ok. E.g. a liquor shop open, not everyone is required to storm into the shop as long as some go forth. This is fard kifayah.
However, sometimes it is an individual responsibility e.g. if there are a group of Muslims who get together taking drugs, committing haram, someone learns of this haram taking place, then it is down to that person to do something about it. Can’t turn a blind eye to it. Also, it is an individual obligation to change if you have an authority to do so and only you have that ability to change, then this is your obligation.
Should the wicked command good and forbid evil?
The scholars have said that the sinful should still command good and forbid evil. Scholar gave example of a group of Muslims who are consuming alcohol – should recommend one another to goodness and give up the alcohol. However we shouldn’t take this to encourage hypocrisy.
There will be a man who will go round the hellfire like a donkey does and the people shall say “Didn’t you use to command us good and forbid us from evil?” and he said ‘Yes, but I didn’t use to do that.’
Islam obligates us to do a specific act or not to do that act. There’s also an obligation to command good and forbid evil. Just because you don’t fulfil one doesn’t mean the other obligation is lifted from you e.g. paying zakat - everyone is required to it, the one who does not give it is sinful but you should tell others to do so.
We will all be responsible for our actions and shall all have to pay for our deeds whether we practised what we preached or not.
Usually the one who does Al Maruf Al Munkar, makes them change themselves. If there is good in their hearts, then they will feel guilty and want to change themselves as well as others for the better. By commanding good and forbidding evil, it is an act of worship. This must meet two requirements like all acts of ibadah:
sincerity to Allah Ta’ala
done according to Sunnah
Knowledge is important when commanding good and forbidding evil. Must know what you are calling to.
Needs gentleness – gentleness beautifies something. When doing Al Maruf and Al Munkar, the aim is not to turn them away. Must treat them with gentleness and hikmah. Sometimes force and strength need to be used but it depends on the situation.
It needs foresight – need to be aware of the consequences of their actions may have – shouldn’t rush into a situation without assessing, use gentleness and hikmah. Otherwise may result in greater evil or have the opposite effect.
Must persevere. Like other acts of worship must have knowledge, gentleness, hikmah, and patience.
One of the major problems is that people know what is haram and what is halal but, those matters, which are in between, the doubtful matters, problems occur. Its easy to command good and forbid evil on those matters which are clear however, its difficult to tackle the in between matters as it takes certain knowledge and fiqh to deal with it.
If a situation is bad but through your authority you can bring good to it then you should persist in that. Must look at it and try to avoid creating a bigger evil. ‘Example of uni Islamic society’
One should try avoid fitna, however people fall into danger of not commanding good and forbidding evil at all because they are afraid of the fitna which may or may not happen.
Yusuf (as) asked the Fir’awn of his time to give him a position of authority – advisor.
From this scholars ibn taymiyyah he deduced that it is permissible to take a position of authority from a non-Muslim or unjust ruler, if he can bring about good. However under this power you cannot propagate this evil.
In the past, it has happened that kings have become Muslims because of their Muslims because of their Muslim advisor they have been greatly influenced by them and their actions. This has brought a great good.
Commanding and forbidding the ruler. The salaf would command and forbidding the rulers. This can be done publicly or privately.
What are the duties of the victorious group in commanding good and forbidding evil?
Evil becomes settled in a society until no one considers it to be evil. Education systems are not based on Islamic ideologies. The economic system is riba based. Social evils – destruction in family in both Muslima and non-Muslim families. Taiful mansurah must take a position to mention these ills – through word of mouth initially – raising awareness – target the youth as they are the ones being corrupted.
The youth don’t have the stability to grow Islamic. They don’t have the education. Need to persevere the Islam within the youth. Youth are very easily influenced.
Must support scholars and da’is’ – should not destroy their position as we wont be left with anyone to take from.
If we can’t stop the evil then we should forsake that evil – boycott it. Must use the means that are permissible in the shari’ah. Doesn’t mean it must be within the sunnah as long as it does not contradict it e.g. using audio lectures. Need practical solutions to command good and forbid evil.