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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Jurisprudence Made Easy Dialogue on enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil I reckon now that you have attained an adequate and diverse level of knowledge of your religion, thanks to the journey we made together into the complex world of jurisprudence. It could be said that you now know the demarcations of right and wrong, halal and haraam, wajib and mustahab.

Therefore, the time has come to act upon the injunction of God Almighty, “And among you there should be a group who invite to good and enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, and these it is that shall be successful”. (3/104). * How should I do it? - Invite people to good deeds and make them stop committing the acts that you know are wrong. * What has this to do with me, i.e. meddling in other people’s affairs?

Does it not suffice that I adhere to what is required from me by the Islamic injunctions? - Beware, o son! You shouldn’t say that. In certain circumstances, this obligation is a collective one imposed on the Muslim community (wajibun kifa’i, by contrast to wajibun aini - the obligation that falls on every adult Muslim i.e. individual duty): In other words, when you, I, and others do not discharge such a duty, all of us shall be rendered sinners.

If only one of us takes it upon themselves to uphold the obligation, the rest shall be absolved of the responsibility. Beside the clear injunction contained in the Qur’anic verse I have just recited, it has been reported that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “My umma ‘Islamic community’ shall be in good condition they enjoin that which is good, forbid that which is wrong, and co-operate in righteousness.

If they hesitate, they shall be denied bliss, be dealt high-handedly with each other, and will have no helper on the earth, nor in the heavens!”. In this regard too, Imam Ali (a.s.) has been quoted as saying, “Do not abandon the obligation of enjoining right and forbidding wrong. If you do, your bad folk shall reign supreme over you, and then you will implore God’s grace, yet your prayer would not be answered”.

And finally, probably you are aware of the Prophetic hadith, “You, all, are charged with the responsibility and should, therefore, take care of those who are in your charge”. * Yes, I am aware of this tradition. - You are, therefore, a responsible person. As such you have certain duties and rights; the task is very grave.