بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Masjid Al-Azhar is one of my favorite places to just sit in and read. It has a very unique feel to it. There is a feeling of peace and tranquility that comes with it. So whenever we are in the area, we would not miss the opportunity to visit the masjid.
The other day my friend, an Egyptian, and I decided to pray 'Isha at the Al-Azhar masjid after a lecture at the Al-Hussein masjid (named after Imam Hussein, Allah be pleased with him, the grandson of the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, where his maqam is also situated). Masjid Al-Azhar is just across the road. We sat in one of the classrooms/study halls. There were 2 young ladies, students of knowledge, sitting and talking and when the adhan was on, they were still talking. We did not say anything. When the iqama was on, they were still talking. We did not say anything as well. When we started praying, they were still talking. We couldn't say anything. Not sure when they joined the group prayer. But after the prayer, my friend quickly turned to the ladies and corrected them in a very straightforward manner. One of them moved to a corner without any argument. The other lady didn't take it very well and started to raise her voice and she went on for a long while. My friend, knowing what to do, did not say anything and let her expressed herself, and after she finished, my friend smiled and politely said a few words, and we left but not without saying assalaamu alaykum to both of them. They returned the salams.
It is obligatory to command the good and forbid the evil, a communal obligation, if one is able to do so and does not fear harm reaching one on account of it, regardless whether one oneself practices the command in question.
وَلْتَكُن مِّنكُمْ أُمَّةٌۭ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى ٱلْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ ۚ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ
"Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: They are the ones to attain felicity." (Qur'an AleImran 3:104)
The ideal Muslim community is happy, untroubled by conflicts or doubts, sure of itself, strong, united, and prosperous; because it invites to all that is good, enjoins the right; and forbids the wrong.
The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "Anyone of you who sees a reprehensible thing should change it with his hand; if he is unable to, then with his tongue; if he is unable to, then with his heart, which thing is the weakest degree of faith."
It is not sufficient to merely forbid a wrong or a sin; rather, one must hate it, feel angry, and leave the group for the sake of Allah if they do not desist.
The following are the conditions for commanding the good;
(a) To intend manifesting the word of Allah.
(b) To know the basis of what he is commanding or prohibiting, i.e. that it indeed is obligatory or forbidden.
(c) Patience in the face of disliked matters that might proceed as a result.
The one commanding the good should have the following traits;
(a) Gentleness,
(b) Forbearing of what is said back to him; he should not get frustrated or annoyed,
(c) Knowledge of what he is commanding to, lest he command the evil or forbid the good.
The learned person must ensure that he is not doing so out of pride from displaying one’s knowledge and the ignorance of the addressee; for such an intention is an evil greater than the evil he is forbidding.
In short, whoever undertakes this obligation must be learned of the opinions of the
scholars so that his command and prohibition return to matters that are agreed upon by scholars, and that he is not excessive in his words or deeds.
May Allah make us keys to unlock good and lock evil. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. JazakAllahu khairan.
related archives:
Call of Prayer (Adhan)
Prayer, Our Haven
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
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