Enjoining good and forbidding evil
I.m.a.n. *
What would you do?
Imagine yourself, surrounded by family and friends. You're having a good time but you notice your aunty and her friends gossiping about her cousins father's sister in law. What do you do?
Most of us wouldn't do anything. We would feel like we are meddling in something that isn't our business. Some of us would even participate, astaghfirallah. Either way, thinking that this isn't any of your business isn't correct. Isn't the Iman and well-being of our fellow Muslims, our business?
As brothers and sisters, we should always want the very best for our ummah. We want them to prosper, and worship and glorify Allah together. But what if you see others slip up? Should you say something?
The answer to this is "Yes!
In the Quran, Allah describes the believers in the following way.
Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“The believers, men and women, are Awliya (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another, they enjoin (on the people) Al-Maroof (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden)”
[at-Tawbah 9:71].
If Allah himself tells us that enjoining good and forbidding evil is one of the characteristics of a believer, shouldn't this be something we should aim to do?
It was narrated that Tariq bin Shihab said:
"Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri said: 'I heard the Messenger of Allah [SAW] say: Whoever among you sees an evil and changes it with his hand, then he has done his duty. Whoever is unable to do that, but changes it with his tongue, then he has done his duty. Whoever is unable to do that, but changes it with his heart, then he has done his duty, and that is the weakest of Faith.'"
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْحَمِيدِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مَخْلَدٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مَالِكُ بْنُ مِغْوَلٍ، عَنْ قَيْسِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ، عَنْ طَارِقِ بْنِ شِهَابٍ، قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيُّ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " مَنْ رَأَى مُنْكَرًا فَغَيَّرَهُ بِيَدِهِ فَقَدْ بَرِئَ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ أَنْ يُغَيِّرَهُ بِيَدِهِ فَغَيَّرَهُ بِلِسَانِهِ فَقَدْ بَرِئَ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ أَنْ يُغَيِّرَهُ بِلِسَانِهِ فَغَيَّرَهُ بِقَلْبِهِ فَقَدْ بَرِئَ وَذَلِكَ أَضْعَفُ الإِيمَانِ " .
Grade: Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5009In-book reference : Book 47, Hadith 25English translation : Vol. 6, Book 47, Hadith 5012
Think before you act
Before you start advising people, or pointing out their mistakes, make sure that that what you saw was correct. Since this is already a delicate situation, it would be hurtful to the other to accuse him of something he didn't do.
The best way is to ask the person if what you've seen is true. "I heard you say... Is his true ?". If it isn't true, you can always apologise and change the subject. The same goes for things you've heard from someone else, always confirm before you accuse. And don't be overly suspicious or look for their faults.
Ahmad (19277) and Abu Dawood (4880) narrated that Abu Barzah al-Aslami said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘O you who have spoken the words of faith but faith has not truly entered your hearts! Do not backbite about the Muslims, and do not seek out their faults. For whoever seeks out their faults, Allaah will seek out his faults, and if Allaah seeks out a person’s faults He will expose him even in his own house.’” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 4083.
Another thing to be careful with, is the kind of information you give to others. Make sure you know the correct Islamic ruling before pointing out the mistakes of your brother or sister. There is great danger in making haram halal, and the other way around. Also remember that you don't have to point these things out immediately. You can always gain more knowledge about the subject before advising others.
The Prophet ﷺ, said, “the worst Muslim criminal amongst other Muslims, is the one who asks questions about something that was not made prohibited on the people, then it becomes prohibited as a result of his questioning”
Bukhari
Criticising or advising?
Enjoining good and advising people can be done in many ways. It might be quite obvious, but being harsh or judgemental might not be the best way to do this.
Imagine yourself to be in the position of the one being advised. How would you like to be approached? When would it be most likely for you to take the advice?
The advice should be given what wisdom and kindness. Remember when Allah sent Moosa and Haroon to Pharaoh He said (interpretation of the meaning):
“And speak to him mildly, perhaps he may accept admonition or fear (Allaah)”
[Ta-ha 20:44].
And also,
“Invite (mankind, O Muhammad) to the way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Revelation and the Qur’aan) 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” [al-Nahl 16:125]
Furthermore, it's wise to take the situation of the person into account. Because even though things can be haram, someone's personal situation sometimes contributes to the sin being committed. For example, a revert might have a harder time separating themselves from their (non-muslim) surroundings. Or some who is young might be more impulsive than someone who is older.
When advising, try and speak to the person in private so he won't feel embarrassed. When you say something in public, the ego plays up and the person is more likely to defend himself and his sin.
Practice what you preach
Of course, you want to be taken seriously when you're giving out advice. Something that completely messes with your credibility, is not taking your own advice. Ideally, everyone would take your advice regardless of your actions, but unfortunately that's not how the world works. Besides, not practicing what you preach is very disliked by Allah.
Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning), “Enjoin you Al-Birr (piety and righteousness and each and every act of obedience to Allah) on the people and you forget (to practise it) yourselves?” [al-Baqarah 2:44],
And,
He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do?
Most hateful it is with Allaah that you say that which you do not do” [al-Saff 61:2-3]
Besides you advising others, there may also be people who want to advise you. Don't take it as an insult. But take it as a sign of love between Muslims. It shows your brother or sister wants what is best for you.
Encouraging others
Besides forbidding evil, it's always good to encourage others as well. You can do this in several ways.
*Teach them something
*Encourage them to perform acts of worship
*Do fun and religious things together. Like organising a gathering.
*Be there for them when they need you, and encourage them to help others as well.
As an added bonus, you'll share in their reward!
Abu Mas’ud reported: A man came to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and he said, “My animal has died, so help me.” The Prophet said, “I do not have anything.” Another man said, “O Messenger of Allah, I can show him someone who can help him.” The Prophet said, “Whoever guides someone to goodness will have a similar reward.”
Source: Sahih Muslim 1893
Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Imam Muslim
عَنْ أَبِي مَسْعُودٍ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ قَالَ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ إِنِّي أُبْدِعَ بِي فَاحْمِلْنِي فَقَالَ مَا عِنْدِي فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَنَا أَدُلُّهُ عَلَى مَنْ يَحْمِلُهُ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنْ دَلَّ عَلَى خَيْرٍ فَلَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِ فَاعِلِهِ
1893 صحيح مسلم كِتَاب الْإِمَارَةِ بَاب فَضْلِ إِعَانَةِ الْغَازِي فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِمَرْكُوبٍ وَغَيْرِهِ وَخِلَافَتِهِ فِي أَهْلِهِ بِخَيْرٍ
What if they don't listen?
There will always be people who don't want to hear your advice. Or they will pretend to, but soon go back to their old ways. If you've already tried advising a couple of times, and the person still rejects it, then it's best to distance yourself from them when they are engaging in sin.
because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And when you (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) see those who engage in a false conversation about Our Verses (of the Qur’aan) by mocking at them, stay away from them till they turn to another topic. And if Shaytaan (Satan) causes you to forget, then after the remembrance sit not you in the company of those people who are the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers)”
[al-An’aam 6:68]
Do however, take into account that change mostly doesn't happen overnight. You might want to give people some time to realise their mistake, and change.
Although it's a duty upon every Muslim to forbid evil, you can only do so much. And Allah knows the intention in our hearts.
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