This piece/excerpt is from a news letter I thought it might have some influence on the present situation in our country. NECESSARY QUALITIES OF THE ONE COMMANDING GOOD AND FORBIDDING EVIL Important Qualities There are some important qualities that must be satisfied in the person who commands good and forbids evil. Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) said, "An intention associated with a deed is praiseworthy, acceptable to Allah and rewardable by Him, if that deed is done for Allah. And a deed is praiseworthy and righteous if it is commanded to do by Allah. Since this is the definition of every righteous deed, th4en the one commanding good and forbidding evil must satisfy it in himself. Furthermore, his deed of commanding good and forbidding evil will not be righteous unless he bases it on knowledge and understanding… For, it is necessary to know the situation of the person being commanded and forbidden. Knowledge This knowledge is defined by Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) as follows: "Knowledge is that with which Allah sent his Messenger (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) and it is the authority that Allah mentioned: Indeed those who dispute about Allah's ayaat without any authority given to them, there is nothing in their chests except pride. [Ghaafir 40:56] So if anyone speaks in matters of religion with other than what Allah sent His Messenger (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam), he would be speaking without knowledge. Indeed, he whom the Shaytaan leads, he will misguide him from the truth and will guide him instead to a severe chastisement. But as for him who submits to Allah's Religion, he will be serving Allah with certainty." Gentleness Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) said: "One of the righteous qualities in commandi good and forbidding eveil is for it to be done according to as-siraatul-mustaqeem (the Straight Path). This is the best way to reach the goal. Accordingly, gentleness is essential, as the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: Gentleness does not exist in anything but it is beautified by it; and harshness does not exist in anything but it is marred by it. [Muslim] And he (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: Indeed Allah is Gentle, He loves gentleness in all matters. He gives, through gentleness, what he will not give through harshness. [Muslim] Patience Ibn Taymiyyah (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) then said: "It is also necessary for the one commanding good and forbidding evil to be tolerant, and to be patient with offenses. For he will surely suffer offenses; so if he does not tolerate and forebear, he would do more harm than good, as Luqmaan said to is son: And command good and forbid evil, and be patient with whatever afflicts you; indeed this is the firmness required for matters. [Luqman 31:17] For this reason Allah commanded His messengers (who were the leaders in commanding good and forbidding evil) with patience. He (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: O you who are wrapped up (Muhammad)! Arise and warn (people). Magnify you Lord, purify your clothes, shun atrocities, do not seek increase for yourself, and have patience for your Lord. [al-Muddath-thir 74 1- 7] So He opened these ayaat announcing the Message of Muhammad to the creation with a command to warn them, and ended them by commanding patience. Since warning is in itself commanding good and forbidding evil, it is deduced that it must be followed with patience. And He said: And have patience with what they say; and leave them with noble dignity.[Al-Muzzammil 73:10] And: Therefore patiently persevere, as did (all) messengers of firm resolution. [Al-Ahqaaf 46:35] And be patient, and your patience is not but from Allah. [An-Nahl 16:127] And: And be patient, for indeed Allah will not waste the reward of the muhsinoon (those who do their deeds in the best way). [Hud 11:115] Conclusion And Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) said: Thus there are three essential qualities that must be present in the person who commands good and forbids evil: Knowledge, Gentleness, Patience Knowledge must precede the command or prohibition; gentleness must consort it, and patience must follow it. Surely each of these three would normally be present in a person in all such situations, as is reported from some of the salaf: 'None is to command good and forbid evil unless he understands what he is commanding and forbidding, and is patient in his commanding and forbidding.'" Elaboration on the principle of knowledge and its significance for commanding good and forbidding evil, Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) said: "Allah ordered us to command good and forbid evil. But commanding something must be preceded by knowing it; one who does not know the good will be unable to command it. And prohibiting evil must be preceded by knowing it; one who doe not know it will not be able to prohibit it. Also, Allah obliged us to do good and avoid evil. Surely loving a good thing and doing it, and hating a wicked thing and avoiding it cannot occur except after knowing these things. This knowledge is needed in order for the intent of doing good and forbidding evil to be correct, because the intention must be proceeded by knowledge. One cannot expect a person who does not know a particular thing to develop love or hatred for it, nor an intention to do or avoid it. Indeed, doing something and commanding it implies a detailed knowledge about it, enabling one to do it, and to command it, if needed, in a clear manner." As-salaamu ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------