Bid others to do good and you will be one of them; reject evil with your hand and your tongue, and do your utmost to separate from one who does evil. ‘Strive in the way of Allah as is His due’ (ref.22:78) and do not let the reproach of any reproacher have any influence on you in the path of Allah. Plunge into hardships for the sake of truth, wherever it may be.

In this paragraph, Imam ‘Ali (as) emphasizes several issues:

A. Enjoining The Good And Forbidding The Evil

To encourage people to do the right things is termed "enjoining the good" and prohibiting them from doing wrong is called "forbidding the evil."

The employment of this principle is a public duty which is carried out in form of wajib kifa’i which means it is an obligation on all Muslims but it suffices when performed by some of them. This principle makes the foundation of all Divine commandments strong. Imam Baqir (as) says in this connection:

"The principle of enjoining the good and forbidding the evil is the way of the Prophets and path of the scholars. It is a tremendous obligation through which (other) obligatory tasks are undertaken, religious creeds are safeguarded, earnings are made lawful, restitution is made for wrongs, the earth is in a flourishing state, justice is exacted from enemies, and affairs are in order."

Islam considers that the prosperity of societies is fulfilled through the implementation of this sacred principle. Islam thinks that the miseries and the deprivation of some societies of divine blessings and also their destruction and their annihilation are due to the fact that this principle is not carried out properly in those nations. Imam ‘Ali (as), regarding this, in a sermon emphasizes that:

"The nations before you were only destroyed because of the sins they committed, and the priests and rabbis did not stop them from that. When they persevered in sinning and the priests and rabbis did not stop them, punishments descended on them”.

Since the implementation of this principle makes firm the foundations of Divine commandments and erases the vestiges of wrong belief, injustice and corruption, Islam considers the abandonment of this principle as war against Allah. Imam ‘Ali (as), in his last will, considers this issue:

"Do not abandon the principle of enjoining the good and forbidding the evil, or else the the evil among you will have authority over you. Then you will pray but your prayers will not be answered."

B. The Degrees Of The Principle Of Enjoining The Good And Forbidding The Evil

This principle has degrees, some of which apply to all individuals of a community without having related to the government; some other degrees apply to those individuals who are given some social tasks. These degrees include:

i. Those who are happy by nature to do good and unhappy to perform the evil.
ii. Those who verbally enjoin the good and forbid the evil.
iii. Those who by force implement the principle of enjoing the good and forbidding the evil; these may use punishments if felt necessary.

Regarding these, let us observe the following traditions:
Imam ‘Ali (as) has stated:

"Only two things gather people together: pleasure and anger. Therefore, one who is pleased with a matter has entered into it; and one who is displeased with it has left it."

C. The Types Of Struggle In The Way Of Allah

To struggle in the way of Allah means carrying out anything that is wanted by Allah. To fulfill such an aim, we should try our best, either financially or verbally. Imam ‘Ali (as) in his will has emphasized:

"Fear Allah, and remember Him in striving with your wealth, your selves and your tongues in the way of Allah."

Therefore, struggle against our very selves is also among struggles in the way of Allah. Upon the return of soldiers from the holy wars, the Prophet (S) told them:

"Welcome to a people who have performed the lesser jihad in the way of Allah, but their greater jihad is still ahead”. It was said: “Messenger of Allah, what is the greater jihad?” The Prophet (S) replied: “The struggle against your self."

    Imam ‘Ali (as) has said in his will:

In all types of struggle for Allah, we should strive for Allah only and we should not pay attention to the reproach of those who blame us. We should do everything for Allah because He is above everything and His worship and obedience is compulsory at all times.

D. How Does This Principle Cause Man To Become Righteous?

The Holy Qur’an considers enjoining the good to be among the traits of believers, inhabitants of paradise, pious men and the best of the nation. Therefore, anybody who indulges in this principle should be pious himself or else:

From a physician with a yellow countenance,

Do not ask for a rose-colored cheek.

Furthermore, such a person uses the approach of self-denial which is among great sins.

Thus, as Imam ‘Ali (as) has said, a person who carries out the principle of enjoining the good should be among the pious ones, or else such a person is like a physician who cures people but he himself is sick.