Enjoining good and forbidding wrong

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Enjoining good and forbidding wrong, (Arabic: al-amr bi 'l-maʿruf wa 'n-nahy ʿani 'l-munkar) or promotion of virtue and prevention of vice (PVPV), is an Islamic doctrine mentioned in the Qur'an. This expression is the base of the Islamic institution of hisbah. It forms a central part of the Islamic doctrine for all Muslims. It is also explicitly referred to in the two Shi'a Ancillaries of the Faith, commanding what is just and forbidding what is evil.

Quranic examples

• Sura 3.110 ^{translated by Abdullah Yusuf Ali}

Ye are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah. If only the People of the Book had faith, it were best for them: among them are some who have faith, but most of them are perverted transgressors.

• Sura 3.104 ^{translated by George Sale}

Let there be people among you, who invite to the best [in religion]; and command that which is just, and forbid that which is evil; and they shall be successful.

• Sura 7.157 ^{translated by Sale}

"Those who follow the apostle, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (scriptures), - in the law and the Gospel; - for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil; he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure); He releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them. So it is those who believe in him, honour him, help him, and follow the light which is sent down with him, - it is they who will prosper."

• Sura 9.71 ^{translated by Sale}

And the faithful men, and the faithful women are friends one to another: They command that which is just, and they forbid that which is evil; and they are constant at prayer, and pay their appointed alms; and they obey God, and his apostle: Unto these will God be Merciful; for He [is] Mighty [and] Wise.

Hadith examples

Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri reported that Muhammed said, "Whoever amongst you sees an evil, he must change it with his hand; if he is unable to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is unable to do so, then with his heart; and that is the weakest form of Faith". (Reported in Sahih Muslim).

See also

• Hisbah bill

Further reading

• Cook, Michael (2010-02-11). Commanding Right and Forbidding Wrong in Islamic Thought (Reissue ed.). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-13093-6. 

External links

• Amr-bil-Maroof