What is Amr-Bil-Maroof?
Amr-Bil-Maroof means to invite others to do good. It must be done in a very respectful way. The purpose of Amr-Bil-Maroof is to create a healthy society where all are encouraged to do good and so that the society as a whole can grow in spirituality.
When should Amr-Bil Maroof be practiced?
Amr bil Maroof is Wajib the first time and Mustahab the second time. It becomes Wajib when:
- One has some hope that the advice will be followed
- One knows that by giving advice, one will not come to harm
- If the basic faith of Muslims is in danger, then it is Wajib upon everyone to do Amr bil Maroof even though by doing so one may come to harm
Amr-Bil-Maroof in the Holy Quran
وَلْتَكُن مِّنكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ ۚ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ
“And from among you there should be a group who invite good and enjoin what is right and forbid the wrong; and they only shall be successful. (3:104)
Amr-Bil-Maroof in the words on Imam Ali (as)
Imam Ali (as) said:
“Do not abandon enjoining good and forbidding evil, otherwise the evil people among you will take charge over you, and then when you supplicate, you will not be answered” (Nahjul Balagah, Letter 47)
Key Points
- Amr-Bil- Maroof is a Furu-e-Deen so as important as Salat and Sawm
- It requires that we ourselves are righteous first
- We need to have hope that the person we are giving advice to, will listen to it
