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Amr Bil Maroof Wa Nahi Anil Munkar

 

Brief Explanation of The Term "Amr Bil Maroof Wa Nahi Anil Munkar" And Its Application In Modern Age.

Introduction: 

    The Concept of Amr Bil Maroof Wa Nahi Anil Munkar is the essence of Deen as the Scheme of Allah Almighty regarding Prophet-hood is entirely based on this concept. Every Prophet ever came to the earth, came with the idea of propagating "good deeds" and forbidding "the evil ones". The same idea is articulated in Quran and postulated by Holy Prophet (PBUM) at length. The basic premise of this concept is to advise "good" and forbid "evil" whatever and however has been happening in the society.  

        In Holy Quran God says:

You are the best community raised up for mankind, for you enjoin right conduct and forbid evil and you believe in Allah. - (Al Imran - 110)

     In the verse above, God praises the followers of Muhammad (PBUH) for they do "Amr Bil Maroof" (enjoin the right conduct) and "Nahi Anil Munkar" (forbid evil). This verse sheds light on the significance of the concept and makes it obligatory upon Muslims. 

Meaning and Connotation: 

    i) Amr Bil Maroof: 

        In Arabic "Amr" means "to advise or to give order" to someone and "Maroof" means an act or conduct which is generally recognized as "Good" and "closer to human nature".

    ii) Nahi Anil Munkar:

        In Arabic "Nahi" refers to "Stop" or "Forbid" someone from doing something. "Munkar" means something which is generally recognized as "against human nature" and/or "detested by society at large". 
    In Islamic connotation, the concept of Amr Bil Maroof wa Nahi Anil Munkar deals with the idea of propagation of Good conduct and forbidding the evil happenings in society. 

Philosophical Context of the Concept:

    Primarily it is the job of a Prophet of God to preach the good conduct as ordained by God, and forbid the evil in pursuance of the commandments of Allah Almighty. However, as the Muhammad (PBUH) is the last messenger Allah and none other shall ever come to the mankind for guidance; God has made it obligatory on the Muslim Ummah to watch for evils in society and condemn them then and there, and advise people regarding the good conduct which is ordained by Allah and Holy Prophet (PBUH). 
        In Quran God says:
        And from among you there should be a group who invites good and enjoin what is right and forbids the wrong, and they only shall be successful. - (Al Imran - 103)

    In the verse stated above, God is putting emphasize on the significance of the concept by giving success-tiding to those who actually act upon this idea of inviting others for good and forbidding the wrong for betterment and prosperity of society.  

Practical Implementation of this Concept:

     This concept is of very sensitive nature, and if not implemented in right way, may cause more damage than betterment in the society. For this, the Prophet (PBUH) has defined the "Span of Control" at different levels for the smooth implementation of this idea. For instance, the leader of the family is father, his span of control is his family only; leader of an organization is the CEO so his span of control is his staff only; the leader of state is Caliph/President/Prime Minister and his span of control is his state only.
    Here the thing to understand is the authority a person has over others. every organization, be it a family, institute or otherwise, should only be controlled by the respective leader. on the other hand, the leader of the state has the authority over entire nation, hence he can implement the concept by the dint of legislation to enjoin the right and prohibit the wrong in country.  

Steps/Stages of General Application of This Idea:

    i) Expressive Action:

        The very first step in applying the idea of "Amr Bil Maroof wa Nahi Anil Munkar" in real life is to condemn or promote the bad or good act respectively by expressive actions. This could be a positive nod, a thumbs up, salute or a small clap to promote a good act or vice verse. In every society such expressive actions refer to the social sanctions that carry reinforcement value. 

    ii) Use of Words:

        Second step in this process should be the use of words. In case, if someone has not been abstaining from evil doing by the use of expressive actions, then one should use polite words to forbid the wrong doer. Such words could be anything but harsh/strong/insensitive. 

    iii) Use of Physical Force: 

        However, use of physical force is the last resort to control the evil activities happening around in the society by anyone. There are instances when use of force become inevitable for the greater good.

Pre-Conditions of Amr Bil Maroof wa Nahi Anil Munkar:

There are certain pre-conditions that apply to every body before undergoing practical implementation of this idea. Some of them are explained as under:- 
  • One must possess complete and comprehensive knowledge of Sharia before advising others about it. As without complete knowledge one may make mistakes and things could go wrong.

  • In addition to this, before enjoining others to do good and resist from evil, one should himself adhere to the tenets of Islam faithfully. As in Quran Allah says:

"Why Do you speak of a thing, which you yourself do it not" (Al Quran)
                     So, this duty of inviting others to the righteousness compels one to be righteous oneself at the first place.
  • Last but not the least precondition of acting upon the concept of Amr Bil Maroof wa Nahi Anil Munkar is to have polite and loving manner of enjoining the good and forbidding the evil. 

Application of Amr Bil Maroof Wa Nahi Anil Munkar in Current Age:

  1. Enforcement of the concept at state level by the dint of legislation. Legislature can be done to forbid the detested deeds in society and strict punishments can be set in case of doing such forbidden acts. 
  2. The State-Media partnership can also be exploited in pursuance of enjoining the good and forbidding the bad in the society. 
  3. Enforcement of the concept at Societal level. 
  4. Enforcement of the concept at Individual level. 

Significance of Amr Bil Maroof wa Nahi Anil Munkar in the Light of Quran and Sunnah:

Amr Bil Maroof wa Nahi Anil Munkar is a moral and safety-net for human society in general and Muslim Community in particular. It does not allow the Muslim Community to abandon its members on the path of immorality and self-destruction, nor does it allow Muslim Ummah to be indifferent to the moral and ethical dilemma faced by the humanity at large. 
        "There should be among you a group who should call towards goodness, bid to the good and forbid from the evil, they are the successful people." (Al Imran - 104)

       

"The believing men and believing women are helpers of each other: they bid the good, forbid the evil, establish the prayers, pay the zakat, and they obey Allah and His Messenger..." (Al Tawbah - 71)
Imam Ali Ibne Abi Talib (AS) said:

Verily the people before you perished because when they committed sin, the Rabbis and Priests did not forbid them from it... Therefore bid towards the good and forbid the evil...

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

My followers will remain in good condition as long as they bid (each other) towards good, forbid (each other) from the evil, and co-operate with each other in good (deed). If they do not do this then blessings will be lifted from them and some (evil ones) will be imposed upon them (as ruler). In that state they will have no helper, neither on the earth nor in the heavens.

Conclusion:

In this modern and west-influenced age, the implementation of Amr Bil Maroof Wa Nahi Anil Munkar has become dying need of the hour. Muslim Ummah cannot be left at the mercy of such societal evils. Its application must be ensured at all levels by the concerned authorities accordingly. However, the one who is bidding towards good and forbidding from the evil must be very polite with his invitiation so that the social order may not be disturbed. Its universal applicability and fruitious outcomes make it the panacea of all social evils. 

Watch Video Lecture on this topic on Youtube by Clicking the following Thumbnail. 



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