بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Commanding & Prohibiting - Part 3

Attributes of One Commanding

We have discussed the methodology and etiquette of commanding right and prohibiting wrong in some detail. In summary, it boils down to three attributes which must be found in the one performing this function:

  1. العلم  Knowledge of the application of commanding and prohibiting and knowledge of its boundaries - so that it may be kept with its proper bounds according to the Shari'a.
  2. الورع Reserve and pious restraint. Even one knows about something, the correct action may be to hold back for certain purposes.
  3. حسن الخلق  Good character. This is essential when restraint is required. When anger is present, knowledge will not be sufficient to hold one back if good character is not the nature of the individual.

Some of the salaf (early generations) said:

"No one should command right except for one who is rafeeq when commanding and rafeeq when prohibiting, haleem in commanding and haleem in prohibiting, faqeeh in commanding and faqeeh in prohibiting.

Also among the etiquettes or attributes is reduced social relations and freeing oneself of the need for others to avoid issues of compromise. It is told that one of the salaf had a cat and he used to get some scraps from his neighbor the butcher every day for his cat. One day, he saw some wrongdoing on the part of the butcher. He went to his house and removed the cat. Then, he went to the neighbor and warned him against his wrongdoing. The neighbor said to him, "I will not give you anything for your cat after today". The man said, "I did not mention this to you until AFTER getting rid of the cat and freeing myself from any need for you.

This is correct. If you do not free yourself from people with regard to two issues, you will not be able to command what is right and prohibit what is wrong.  They are:

  1. Their kindness and benevolence.
  2. Their acceptance and their praise.

Note the inherent flaw in the system of "democracy" implied by the above. One of the most important functions of the ruler is commanding what is right and prohibiting what is wrong. If this requires freedom from the need for benevolence, acceptance and praise from the one being reminded, how could a "democratically-elected" leader ever fulfill this function?

As for kindness and compassion on the part of one commanding and prohibiting, this is clearly called for. When Allah send Musa to Pharaoh to call him to tauhid, He commanded Musa and Haroon to:

{Speak to him in a gentle way...} Taha:44

It is reported that Abu Ad-Dardaa' came upon a man who had committed a sin and the people were insulting him. He said to them, "What if you found him [fallen] in a well, would you pull him out?"  They said, "Of course."  He said, "Then, do not insult your brother and thank Allah who spared you."  They said, "To you not hate him?"  He said, "I only hate his actions so as soon as he leaves them, he is my brother."

A young man passed by with his clothing draping on the ground. The companions of Silla ibn Ushaym were about to scold him severely for his disregard for the sunnah. Silla said to them, "Leave this to me."  He approached him and said, "O cousin, I need something from you."  He said, "What is it?" Silla said, "I would like for you to raise your waist-wrap." He said, "Sure, and may you be at peace." He then raised his garment. Silla said to his companions, "This was better than what you intended. Had you scolded him, you would have hurt him with that."

Wrongdoing Which is Accepted and Accustomed

Very many wrong deeds have become "customary" and accepted among the Muslims.

In the Masjid

In the Market