This piece/excerpt is from a news letter I thought it might have some
influence on the present situation in our country.
NECESSARY QUALITIES OF THE ONE COMMANDING GOOD AND FORBIDDING EVIL
Important Qualities
There are some important qualities that must be satisfied in the person who
commands good and forbids evil. Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) said, "An
intention associated with a deed is praiseworthy, acceptable to Allah and
rewardable by Him, if that deed is done for Allah. And a deed is
praiseworthy and righteous if it is commanded to do by Allah. Since this is
the definition of every righteous deed, th4en the one commanding good and
forbidding evil must satisfy it in himself. Furthermore, his deed of
commanding good and forbidding evil will not be righteous unless he bases it
on knowledge and understanding… For, it is necessary to know the situation
of the person being commanded and forbidden.
Knowledge
This knowledge is defined by Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) as follows:
"Knowledge is that with which Allah sent his Messenger (sallallahu 'alaihi
wa sallam) and it is the authority that Allah mentioned:
Indeed those who dispute about Allah's ayaat without any authority given to
them, there is nothing in their chests except pride. [Ghaafir 40:56] So if
anyone speaks in matters of religion with other than what Allah sent His
Messenger (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam), he would be speaking without
knowledge. Indeed, he whom the Shaytaan leads, he will misguide him from the
truth and will guide him instead to a severe chastisement. But as for him
who submits to Allah's Religion, he will be serving Allah with certainty."
Gentleness
Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) said:
"One of the righteous qualities in commandi good and forbidding eveil is for
it to be done according to as-siraatul-mustaqeem (the Straight Path). This
is the best way to reach the goal. Accordingly, gentleness is essential, as
the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said:
Gentleness does not exist in anything but it is beautified by it; and
harshness does not exist in anything but it is marred by it. [Muslim]
And he (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said:
Indeed Allah is Gentle, He loves gentleness in all matters. He gives,
through gentleness, what he will not give through harshness. [Muslim]
Patience
Ibn Taymiyyah (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) then said:
"It is also necessary for the one commanding good and forbidding evil to be
tolerant, and to be patient with offenses. For he will surely suffer
offenses; so if he does not tolerate and forebear, he would do more harm
than good, as Luqmaan said to is son:
And command good and forbid evil, and be patient with whatever afflicts you;
indeed this is the firmness required for matters. [Luqman 31:17]
For this reason Allah commanded His messengers (who were the leaders in
commanding good and forbidding evil) with patience. He (sallallahu 'alaihi
wa sallam) said:
O you who are wrapped up (Muhammad)! Arise and warn (people). Magnify you
Lord, purify your clothes, shun atrocities, do not seek increase for
yourself, and have patience for your Lord. [al-Muddath-thir 74 1- 7] So He
opened these ayaat announcing the Message of Muhammad to the
creation with a command to warn them, and ended them by commanding
patience. Since warning is in itself commanding good and forbidding evil, it
is deduced that it must be followed with patience.
And He said:
And have patience with what they say; and leave them with noble
dignity.[Al-Muzzammil 73:10]
And:
Therefore patiently persevere, as did (all) messengers of firm resolution.
[Al-Ahqaaf 46:35]
And be patient, and your patience is not but from Allah. [An-Nahl 16:127]
And:
And be patient, for indeed Allah will not waste the reward of the
muhsinoon (those who do their deeds in the best way). [Hud 11:115]
Conclusion
And Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) said:
Thus there are three essential qualities that must be present in the
person who commands good and forbids evil: Knowledge, Gentleness, Patience
Knowledge must precede the command or prohibition; gentleness must consort
it, and patience must follow it.
Surely each of these three would normally be present in a person in all such
situations, as is reported from some of the salaf:
'None is to command good and forbid evil unless he understands what he is
commanding and forbidding, and is patient in his commanding and
forbidding.'"
Elaboration on the principle of knowledge and its significance for
commanding good and forbidding evil, Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) said:
"Allah ordered us to command good and forbid evil. But commanding
something must be preceded by knowing it; one who does not know the good
will be unable to command it. And prohibiting evil must be preceded by
knowing it; one who doe not know it will not be able to prohibit it.
Also, Allah obliged us to do good and avoid evil. Surely loving a good
thing and doing it, and hating a wicked thing and avoiding it cannot occur
except after knowing these things. This knowledge is needed in order for the
intent of doing good and forbidding evil to be correct, because the
intention must be proceeded by knowledge. One cannot expect a person who
does not know a particular thing to develop love or hatred for it, nor an
intention to do or avoid it.
Indeed, doing something and commanding it implies a detailed knowledge
about it, enabling one to do it, and to command it, if needed, in a clear
manner."
As-salaamu
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