Amr bil-Ma‘ruf means “to command what is good,” and Nahy ‘anil-Munkar means “to forbid what is evil.”

There are many objectives and purposes of enjoining good and forbidding evil:

First Objective

Self-reformation—that is, to correct one’s own self and remain steadfast on the straight path, as Allah the Exalted says in the Noble Qur’an:

Third Objective

Enjoining good and forbidding evil is one of the best means of reforming human life. These two principles encompass every aspect of human life—beliefs, morals, and social matters—and in reality, they are a major means of the well-being of humanity. That is why they are among the fundamental characteristics of Islam. By fulfilling this duty, we can reach the highest level of human excellence.

Fourth Objective

To protect the human soul from the pollution of sins. Allah the Exalted says:

Final Objective of Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil

The final objective of enjoining good and forbidding evil is the moral training of the Muslim Ummah, so that along with conveying this final religion (Islam), the divine message can be delivered to humanity.

The Need for Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil

First Point:

Human beings are constantly inclined to follow the النفس الأمّارة (the commanding self that urges toward evil), as Allah the Exalted has indicated in the Noble Qur’an:

And so that through this advice and counsel, help can be provided in choosing the right path. This can only be achieved through enjoining good and forbidding evil.

Second Point:

Enjoining good serves as a reminder for those who have become heedless of the straight path. With gentleness and compassion, they can be brought back to the right path from which they have drifted.

Third Point:

When a call is made toward innovation (Bid‘ah) and falsehood, the number of people who follow that path often increases. As Allah the Exalted says in the Noble Qur’an:

فَلَوْلَآ إِذْ جَآءَهُم بَأْسُنَا تَضَرَّعُوا۟ وَلَـٰكِن قَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ مَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ ٤٣

Why then, did they not supplicate in humility when a calamity from Us came upon them? Instead, their hearts were hardened and Satan adorned for them what they were doing. (6:43)

People can become so blind that falsehood begins to appear as truth to them. Therefore, through enjoining good and forbidding evil, those who are deceived by satanic influences can be saved. That is why Allah the Exalted has made enjoining good and forbidding evil obligatory.

Fourth Point:

The act of enjoining good and forbidding evil is, morally and religiously, obligatory upon every capable person. This is because it is one of the best means for self-reformation and societal reform, and it becomes a cause of success in this world and the Hereafter, as well as a means for the نزول of divine mercy. Allah the Exalted says in the Noble Qur’an:

Fifth Point:

As long as human life exists, there will always be a need for enjoining good and forbidding evil. This is because human beings are prone to making mistakes, and therefore there will always be a need for correction, guidance, and calling people back to the right path.

۞ لَّا خَيْرَ فِى كَثِيرٍۢ مِّن نَّجْوَىٰهُمْ إِلَّا مَنْ أَمَرَ بِصَدَقَةٍ أَوْ مَعْرُوفٍ أَوْ إِصْلَـٰحٍۭ بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ ۚ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ ٱبْتِغَآءَ مَرْضَاتِ ٱللَّهِ فَسَوْفَ نُؤْتِيهِ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًۭا ١١٤

There is no good in most of their whisperings, unless one bids charity or a fair action, or reconciliation between people. The one who does this, to seek Allah’s pleasure, We shall give him a great reward. (4:114)