Defining Mission of the Community of Faith
| Khatib : |
Sadullah Khan |
| Khutbah No: |
161 |
| Khutbah Date: |
08/12/05 |
كُنتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللّهِYou are the best of peoples, evolved for humanity; enjoining what is right,forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah. [Qur’an 3:110]Mission of the Righteous throughout HistoryThe true Believers are described by Allah as ... "
the best community raised for the benefit of humanity; commanding right and forbidding wrong, and believing in Allah."
[Qur'an 3:110] . This 'best community' is meant to be an exemplary community; a community that the Qur'an
[2:143] refers to as
a balanced community serving as a witness / standard for humanity. Allah describes Believers as ... "
Believing males and females are friends and protectors of each other, they command what is right and forbid what is wrong"
[Qur'an 9:71] The Prophet said ... "
Whosoever observes any wrong should rectify it physically, if unable to then speak out against it, if unable to then at least find it distasteful in the heart". One of the earliest revelations received by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was the injunction
[Qur'an 74:2] "arise and warn" (
qum-fa andhir). The word "
andhir" has been interpreted by scholars as 'commanding right and forbidding wrong'. Ibn 'Arabi said: "Commanding right and forbidding wrong is the essence of Islamic practices" This mission has been fundamental to the righteous throughout history. This is evidenced through the advice given by the wise Luqman to his son as documented in the Qur'an: "
O my son, establish prayers, command what is right and forbid what is wrong and patiently persevere all trials and tribulations. Surely, that is the most significant of deliberate actions."
[Qur'an 31:17] Aim of MissionThe essential purpose of commanding the good and forbidding the evil this is to increase the good, and reduce wrong. As such, it must be done after clear thinking and proper assessment of the situation, and evaluating possible outcomes. Until reasonably sure that one's words or actions will be of benefit and bereft of harm, one should not act. The scholars deduce this from the Prophet's words (Allah bless him and give him peace), "
Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him say what is good or remain silent."
Mission in ActionWe must constantly remind ourselves that Muslims must care for others because "
You are the best nation set up for humanity" qualified by "
[because] you enjoin that which is good, you forbid that which is evil, and you believe in God"
[Q3:110] . Muslims must care because that is their mission on earth. Both the Qur'an and hadith literature abound with statements stressing the utmost importance of caring for others. When Surah ad-Duha (93) was revealed: during the Meccan period, when the Muslims were under siege and their lives and livelihoods were in constant danger because of their faith; yet God tells the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and (by implication) the rest of the Muslim community to "
treat not the orphan with harshness, nor repulse the petitioner (unheard).”It was the Muslims themselves who needed help and support, yet still, God reminded them to help those in need.We must be behind whatever "good" and stand against whatever "evil/injustice" there exists on earth, first starting with those around us and expanding out in concentric circles. Not only is the racial profiling of Muslims and the Arab-looking “evil”, but "evil" as well is the racial profiling of African-Americans, Hispanics, and other minorities. Not only is helping to build Islamic schools and mosques "good," but "good" also is helping to build housing for the homeless, poor, and less fortunate. If we fail to "enjoin what is good" and "forbid what is evil," then we do not qualify the "best nation set up for humanity." Concerned with
ihsaan as it is, Islam gives this tremendous social force a purpose. It must be used for promoting good, truth and justice and checking evil and injustice. That is the essence of
amr-bil-maroof-wa-nahi-anil-munkar; and the Qur'an declares it as the defining mission of the Ummah: "
You are the best community that has been raised for humanity. You enjoin good and forbid evil and you believe in Allah."
[Qur’an 3:110].
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