Day 18: Call to Goodness
INTRODUCTION:
In most parts of the world, on a weekly basis, precisely the day of jum’ah; the khateeb recites this golden verse of Surah An-Nahl, Verse 90:
“Allah commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellious acts. He instructs you, that ye may receive admonition.”
The essence of this Islamic da’wah is enjoining good and forbidding evil. Therefore, it is a mistake to consider these two as separate matters, since they are actually performed concurrently.
The main objective in fulfilling this obligation is to attain and maximize benefits while eliminating or minimizing harm. Its is of utmost importance to note that the call to goodness isn’t the responsibility of the da’i alone. It’s an injunction by Allah to everyone of us. However, there are ten basic traits which the caller should possess…
INSPIRATION:
“You [true believers in Islamic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad SAW and his Sunnah (legal ways, etc.)] are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden), and you believe in Allah. And had the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) believed, it would have been better for them; among them are some who have faith, but most of them are Al-Fasiqun (disobedient to Allah - and rebellious against Allah’s Command).”
Surah Al-Imran, Verse 110
On the authority of Abu Sa’id al-Khudri, radiyallahu 'anhu, who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah, sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam, say:
"When any one of you sees anything that is disapproved (of by Allah), let
him change it with his hand. If he is not able to do so, then let him change
it with his tongue. And if he is not able to do so, then let him change it
with his heart, though that is the weakest (kind of) faith."
[Muslim]
REFLECTION:
- Here are ten qualities that a caller should possess vis-a-vis:
- Ikhlas (Sincerity)
- Ilm (Knowledge)
- Hikmah (Wisdom)
- Hilm (Forbearance) and Rifq (Gentleness)
- Sabr (Patience)
- Tawaadu' (Humility)
- Qudwah (Good example)
- Husnul-Istimaa' (Good listening)
- Shajaa’ah (Courage)
- Karaam (Generousity)
- People differ in their ability to change things; in general, when someone is higher in his rank or authority, then there is more responsibility on him to correct the evil.
- The call to goodness should be done with wisdom and beautiful preaching.
- Give the people glad tidings of reward for good deeds and do not look down upon them especially when they err.
- Warn about the adverse effects and repercussions of committing evil. Allah’s purnishment is severe for the evil doers if they fail to repent.
- If it is likely while attempting to correct the evil, the Caller or another person will be harmed, then changing the situation is no longer obligatory.
- Prioritise the evil by beginning with the most severe with higher priority before the lower.
CONCLUSION:
Unless this least action of the heart is practiced, the heart of the believer who witnesses evil will be influenced by that evil. A dark spot will be placed in that heart as illustrated in one of the ahadith. With the repetition of such negative attitudes, the heart will be subjected to more darkness placed in it until it is concealed and no longer appreciates what is good nor dislikes what is evil. We ask Allah to save our hearts from such a state.
This means that the Muslim who does not practice the least form of forbidding evil will be subject to being an evil doer himself.
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