The Outcome of Not Commanding with Good and Forbidding from Evil

Hazrat Shaikh Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) mentioned the following in Fazaa’il-e-A’maal:

It has been reported by Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The decline of the Banu Israa’eel began in this way that when one person met another person and saw him doing something impermissible, then he prevented him and said, ‘Fear Allah! Do not do this!’ However, when that person did not listen, then due to his relationship with him, he continued to interact with him as before, by eating and drinking with him and sitting with him. When this became the norm among the people, then Allah Ta‘ala caused the hearts of some to be affected by the hearts of others.” (i.e. the ill-effects of the sinners’ hearts caused the hearts of the obedient to become like their hearts). In support of the above, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) recited a verse of the Qur’aan Majeed which says, “The disobedient and the sinners among the Banu Israa’eel were cursed by Allah.” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then emphatically commanded the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) saying, “You must continue commanding with good and preventing from evil, and stopping the oppressor from oppression, and pulling him towards the truth.”

In another Hadith, it is reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was once seated while reclining, when he suddenly sat up, took an oath and said, “You will not attain salvation until you stop people from oppression.”

In yet another Hadith, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “You will certainly command with good, and prevent from evil, and restrain the hands of the oppressor from oppression, and pull him towards the straight path, and keep him upon the haq, otherwise Allah Ta‘ala will cause your hearts to be mixed with their hearts (and become influenced and corrupted), thereafter He will curse you just as he cursed them (i.e. the Banu Israa’eel).”

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) recited certain Aayaat of the Qur’aan Majeed in support of this, as these Aayaat explain that the Bani Israa’eel were cursed, and one of the reasons for them being cursed is that they would not stop one another from wrong actions.

Nowadays, it is regarded as good character for a person to be at peace with everyone. Wherever he goes, he speaks in a way that conforms to everyone. This is considered to be excellent character, whereas this is completely incorrect. Wherever it is definitely known that commanding the good will not be of any benefit, then there is scope for silence (but in no situation is there permission granted for one to support the wrong by joining those involved in the wrong).

However, in the situation where commanding the good will prove beneficial, such as instructing one’s children, subordinates and others under one’s authority, then to remain silent in such a situation cannot be regarded as good character in any way – rather such a person will be regarded as sinful according to the shari’ah.

(Fazaa’il-e-A’maal [Urdu] pg. 606-607)