Core Principle of Deen:
- The mission of the Prophets (Anbiya’) alayhimus salam and the foundation of Deen revolve around establishing truth, which requires active engagement in Amr bil Maroof (promoting what is right) and Nahi anil Munkar (preventing what is wrong).
- This integral concept ensures the vibrancy and balance of the Islamic way of life.
Definition of Maroof and Munkar:
- Maroof: Something universally recognized as good, rooted in Shari’ah, which represents the truth (Haqq) as opposed to ignorance (Jahalat).
- Munkar: Acts of evil or vice, which arise from ignorance but are not merely the absence of goodness.
Different Levels of Obligation:
- Maroof encompasses everything from basic moral acts (like clearing harm from the path) to standing firm in the truth of Tawheed and Shahadah.
- Nahi anil Munkar similarly ranges from simple etiquettes (like advising against eating with the left hand) to combating Kufr (disbelief) and Shirk (polytheism).
Balance and Dual Role:
- Both Amr bil Maroof and Nahi anil Munkar are essential and interdependent, like the positive and negative lines in an electric circuit that allow the “electrifying vibrance” of Iman (faith) to flow.
- Relying solely on promoting good, while neglecting the prevention of evil, is a flawed approach. Evil does not naturally vanish with the establishment of good; it must be actively opposed.
Fallacy of Simplistic Analogies:
- While darkness is merely the absence of light, Munkar is more than just a lack of goodness; it is a product of ignorance and deliberate wrongdoing. Thus, addressing Munkar requires direct action rather than assuming it will dissipate with the spread of Maroof.
Divine Command:
- Both promoting Maroof and forbidding Munkar are obligations established through definitive (qat’i) and continuously transmitted (mutawatir) sources in Islam. These cannot be undermined by weak analogies or neglected in practice.
Practical Takeaway
- Individual Responsibility: Every Muslim, within their capacity, must contribute to commanding good and forbidding evil, starting with their immediate circle and progressing outward.
- Community Effort: The collective obligation ensures societal stability, where both virtues are promoted, and vices are curtailed.
- Rewards Based on Effort: Rewards for engaging in this task will vary based on the level and sincerity of one’s involvement, from basic acts of kindness to higher levels of propagating truth.
This teaching reminds us of the proactive nature of Islam and the responsibility to harmonize society by nurturing goodness and eliminating evil in tandem.