Hadith #1036

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, the Ahl al-Bayt, and his noble companions.

The provided Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes four important actions that a Muslim should strive to embody in their daily lives. Let us delve into the exegesis of this Hadith, exploring its connotation and the supporting verses from the Quran.

The first part of the Hadith states,

Be one who invites towards good, dissuades from evil.

The word (ma'ruf) "مَعْرُوفِ" refers to that which is recognized as good and virtuous in society. It encompasses acts of kindness, justice, and righteousness. The word (munkar) "مُنكَرِ", on the other hand, refers to evil or that which is recognized as wrong and immoral. It includes actions such as injustice, oppression, and immorality.

To invite towards good means to actively encourage and promote virtuous actions among ourselves and others. This can be done through words, deeds, and setting a positive example. Similarly, dissuading from evil entails discouraging and preventing others from engaging in sinful behavior. This can be achieved by advising, counseling, and reminding others of the consequences of their actions.

The Quran provides numerous verses that support the importance of inviting towards good and dissuading from evil. In Surah Al-Imran (3:104), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful.

This verse emphasizes the collective responsibility of Muslims to enjoin good and forbid evil, as it leads to success in this world and the Hereafter.

The second part of the Hadith states,

Acts with virtue and prevents vice.

The word (khayr) "خَيْرِ" refers to goodness, righteousness, and acts of virtue. It encompasses acts of charity, honesty, and compassion. Conversely, the word (sharr) "شَّرِّ" refers to evil, harm, and vice. It includes actions such as lying, cheating, and causing harm to others.

Acting with virtue means embodying goodness in our thoughts, words, and actions. It involves striving to fulfill our obligations towards Allah and His creation, seeking His pleasure and the betterment of society. Preventing vice entails actively working to eradicate evil and harmful practices from our lives and the lives of others. It requires us to be proactive in promoting righteousness and discouraging sinful behavior.

The Quran provides numerous verses that emphasize the importance of acting with virtue and preventing vice. In Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:2), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.

This verse highlights the need for Muslims to work together in promoting righteousness and avoiding sinful behavior.

Reflecting on this Hadith, we can see that Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) is urging Muslims to actively engage in promoting good and preventing evil. By inviting towards good and dissuading from evil, we contribute to the betterment of society and fulfill our duty as believers. Similarly, by acting with virtue and preventing vice, we strive to attain closeness to Allah and create a positive impact on those around us.

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) was known for his profound knowledge and understanding of Islam. His teachings and actions serve as a source of inspiration for Muslims of all backgrounds. By following his guidance and embodying the principles outlined in this Hadith, we can strive to become individuals who actively promote goodness, righteousness, and justice in our communities.

May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the ability to embody the teachings of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and fulfill our responsibilities as Muslims. May He guide us to invite towards good, dissuade from evil, act with virtue, and prevent vice. Ameen.