Commanding right and forbidding wrong

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Commanding right and forbidding wrong, or al-amr bi al-maʿruf wa al-nahy ʿan al-munkar, 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 Branches of Religion, 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 happy.

Transliteration:

Waltakun minkum ommatun yadAAoona ila alkhayri waya/muroona bilmaAAroofi wayanhawna AAani almunkari waola-ika humu almuflihoon

• 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."

Transliteration:

Allatheena yattabiAAoona alrrasoola alnnabiyya al-ommiyya allathee yajidoonahu maktooban AAindahum fee alttawrati waal-injeeli ya/muruhum bialmaAAroofi wayanhahum AAani almunkari wayuhillu lahumu alttayyibati wayuharrimu AAalayhimu alkhaba-itha wayadaAAu AAanhum israhum waal-aghlala allatee kanat AAalayhim faallatheena amanoo bihi waAAazzaroohu wanasaroohu waittabaAAoo alnnoora allathee onzila maAAahu ola-ika humu almuflihoona

• 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.

Transliteration:

Waalmu/minoona waalmu/minatu baAAduhum awliyao baAAdin ya/muroona bialmaAAroofi wayanhawna AAani almunkari wayuqeemoona alssalata wayu/toona alzzakata wayuteeAAoona Allaha warasoolahu ola-ika sayarhamuhumu Allahu inna Allaha AAazeezun hakeemun

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 9780521130936. 

External links

• Amr-bil-Maroof