Hadith #1027

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions.

The Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) emphasizes the importance of enjoining good and forbidding evil. Let us delve into the words of this Hadith to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.

The first part of the Hadith states,

Enjoin good and you will be among the virtuous.

The word "enjoin" here refers to commanding or encouraging others to do good deeds. It is a call to actively promote righteousness and virtue in society. By doing so, one becomes counted among the virtuous individuals who strive to uphold the values and teachings of Islam.

This concept of enjoining good is rooted in the Quran, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Imran (3:104),

Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong. And it is they who are the successful.

This verse highlights the importance of a collective effort to promote goodness and righteousness.

The second part of the Hadith states,

Forbid evil with your hand and tongue.

This means that we should actively and physically intervene to prevent or stop evil actions. It is not enough to simply disapprove of evil in our hearts; we must take practical steps to prevent its occurrence. This can include actions such as speaking out against injustice, standing up for the oppressed, and actively working to eradicate evil from our communities.

The Quran supports this notion in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:63), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) reprimands the Children of Israel for their failure to forbid evil. It states,

Why do not the rabbis and the religious scholars forbid them from saying sinful words and consuming unlawful things?

This verse highlights the responsibility of scholars and religious leaders to actively discourage and prevent evil actions.

The final part of the Hadith states,

Make an effort to disassociate yourself from the one who commits it.

This means that we should distance ourselves from individuals who persist in committing evil deeds. By doing so, we protect ourselves from being influenced by their negative actions and attitudes. This does not mean abandoning them completely, but rather maintaining a healthy distance while continuing to advise and guide them towards righteousness.

The Quran emphasizes the importance of disassociating from evildoers in Surah Al-An'am (6:68), where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says,

And when you see those who engage in [offensive] discourse concerning Our verses, then turn away from them until they enter into another conversation.

This verse encourages us to avoid engaging with those who engage in offensive speech or actions, in order to protect our own faith and well-being.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) serves as a reminder for Muslims to actively promote goodness, prevent evil, and disassociate from those who persist in wrongdoing. It highlights the importance of taking practical steps to uphold the values and teachings of Islam in our personal lives and within society. By doing so, we strive to fulfill our duty as Muslims and contribute to the betterment of our communities. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) grant us the strength and wisdom to fulfill this responsibility.