The Responsibility of Commanding with Good and Forbidding from Evil – Part Eight

The Four Primary Duties of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)

Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was sent with the mission of establishing deen in the world. In order to fulfil this mission, he was entrusted with four primary duties from the side of Allah Ta‘ala. These four duties formed the basis of his effort in establishing and preserving deen in the ummah. Hence, in order for the ummah to succeed in establishing and preserving deen in their lives as well as the lives of others, it will be necessary for them to carry out these same four duties.

In the Qur’aan Majeed, Allah Ta‘ala says:

رَبَّنَا وَ ابۡعَثۡ فِیۡہِمۡ رَسُوۡلًا مِّنۡہُمۡ یَتۡلُوۡا عَلَیۡہِمۡ اٰیٰتِکَ وَ یُعَلِّمُہُمُ الۡکِتٰبَ وَ الۡحِکۡمَۃَ وَ یُزَکِّیۡہِمۡ

(Nabi Ebrahim (‘alaihis salaam) made dua saying) O our Rabb! Send among them a Rasul (i.e. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)) from among themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach them the Book and hikmah (i.e. the Sunnah) and purify them. (Surah Baqarah v. 129)

When we examine this dua, we find that it makes mention of the four primary duties of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

Firstly, he was commanded to teach the ummah the correct manner of reciting the verses of the Qur’aan Majeed.

Secondly, he was commanded to teach the ummah the laws and injunctions of deen which are mentioned in the Qur’aan Majeed as well as other commandments revealed to him by Allah Ta‘ala.

Thirdly, he was commanded to teach the ummah his mubaarak sunnah which is referred to as ‘hikmah’ in the Qur’aan Majeed. Through teaching the ummah how to practice on his mubaarak sunnah in all facets of their lives, they will be able to fulfil the commands of Shariah relating to the Creator and the creation in the best possible manner.

Fourthly, he was commanded to purify the ummah from evil qualities and traits, whether they relate to the external or internal self, and instil within them praiseworthy qualities and sublime character.

In regard to amr bil ma’roof and nahy anil munkar (commanding with good and forbidding from evil), it is incumbent upon a believer to equip himself with the knowledge and understanding of these four duties so that he will be able to tread upon deen correctly and become a means of guiding others correctly to the path of deen.

The Importance of Learning to Recite the Qur’aan Majeed Correctly and Practise upon the Qur’aan and Sunnah Correctly

If one does not learn to recite the Qur’aan Majeed with the correct pronunciation and proper tajweed, then one’s salaah will not be valid, as it is possible that in many cases, one will make serious errors which will invalidate his salaah. If one continues in this manner, then a great portion of one’s life may pass with one’s salaah being invalid and one being worthy of punishment in the Hereafter.

It is for this reason that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) encouraged the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) and the ummah to learn how to recite the Qur’aan Majeed with correct tajweed. In one Hadith, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Learn the Qur’aan, recite it and teach it to others.” (Sunan Tirmizi #2876)

Similarly, if one does not acquire the knowledge of the Qur’aan and Sunnah, one will not be able to succeed in practicing upon the injunctions of deen correctly. Therefore Allah Ta‘ala sent Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to explain the Qur’aan Majeed through his Mubaarak Sunnah. Hence, without acquiring the knowledge of the Mubaarak Sunnah, one will not succeed in correctly understanding the Qur’aan Majeed.

In this regard, it is reported that on one occasion, a person came to Hazrat Imraan bin Husain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and enquired regarding a certain mas’alah. Hazrat Imraan bin Husain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) explained the mas’alah to him from the Hadith. However, the person was not satisfied and said, “I want you to give me the answer which appears in the Qur’aan Majeed.”

Hazrat Imraan bin Husain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) explained to the person that there are many injunctions of deen whose details do not appear in the Qur’aan, but are mentioned in the Hadith. For example, the Qur’aan commands us to perform salaah, but the details of salaah are not found in the Qur’aan, but are mentioned in the Hadith.

Similarly, the Qur’aan commands us to discharge zakaat, however the details of discharging zakaat are not mentioned in the Qur’aan, but are recorded in the Hadith. Hence, if one has to only hold onto the Qur’aan and leave out the Hadith, one will not be able to practice upon deen correctly and entirely. Therefore Allah Ta‘ala sent Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) – to explain the details of the Qur’aan Majeed through his Mubaarak Sunnah. When the person heard this reply from Hazrat Imraan bin Husain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), he became extremely pleased and immediately accepted the correction. (Sunan Abu Dawood #1561 and Mu’jam Kabeer Tabraani #547)