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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Islam: Faith, Practice & History Lesson 29: The Islamic Community (3) Bidding The Good & Forbidding The Evil 1. Amr Bi ’L-Ma‘Rūf & Nahi ‘Ani ’L-Munkar: Bidding The Good & Forbidding The Evil Islam: A Social Religion. Islam is not a religion in the spiritual sense of the word only; it deals with all aspects of human life. Islam also seeks to create peace and harmony in the social life of a Muslim society.

It has instituted ways to promote good and prevent evil in the society. The most important social principle of Islam is known as “ amr bi ’l-ma‘rūf wa nahi ‘ani 'l-munkar ”. Amr bi 'l-ma‘rūf means to bid the good or to promote the good; whereas nahi ‘ani 'l-munkar means to forbid the evil or to prevent the evil. This social principle is relevant on the individual level as well as social level.

We have to promote good and prevent evil within the sphere of our own family and friendship circle as well as within the Muslim community and the human society at large. Importance of Amr & Nahi Amr bi ’l-marūf & nahi ‘ani ’l-munkar is a moral and ethical safety-net for the Muslim community and the human society at large. It does not allow the Muslim community to abandon its members in the path of immorality and self-destructive path.

Nor does it allow the Muslim ummah to be indifferent to the moral and ethical dilemma faced by humanity at large.

Allāh says: “There should be among you (O believers), a group (of the learned and sincere persons) who should call (the people) towards goodness, bid (them) to the good and forbid (them) from the evil—they are the successful people.” (3:104) While describing the believers, Allāh says: “...The believing men and the believing women are helpers of each other: they bid the good, forbid the evil, establish the prayer, pay the alms, and they obey Allah and His Messenger—these are the people on whom Allah will be merciful.

Indeed Allah is Powerful and Wise.” (9:71) In the latter verse, while counting the positive qualities of the believers, Allah has placed amr bi ’l-ma‘rūf and nahi ‘ani ’l-munkar before the salāt and the zakāt. Because it is with amr and nahi that salāt, zakāt and other good deeds will be promoted and practised in the Muslim community.

Imam ‘Ali bin Abi Tālib (a.s.) said: “Verily the people before you perished because when they committed sins, the Rabbis and the Priests did not forbid them from it.