By Abdul-Kadir Abdullah
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. We seek His help, His guidance, and His forgiveness. We seek refuge in Him from the evil within ourselves and from the consequences of our actions. Whomever Allah guides, none can misguide and whomever He leaves astray, none can guide.
May peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his family, his companions, and all those who follow his path until the Day of Judgment.
Dear brothers and sisters in Islam, One of the greatest responsibilities placed upon us as believers is to stand firmly on the side of good and to actively discourage evil. This is not optional in Islam, it is a defining quality of a true believer and a healthy society.
Allah says in the Qur’an: “You are the best nation produced as an example for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah.” (Qur’an 3:110)
This verse reminds us that our excellence as a community is tied directly to our commitment to promoting good and resisting evil.
UNDERSTANDING GOOD AND EVIL
Good (ma’ruf) is everything that Allah has commanded—truthfulness, kindness, justice, modesty, charity, patience, and compassion.
Evil (munkar) is everything Allah has forbidden—lying, oppression, corruption, injustice, immorality, dishonesty, and harm to others.
Supporting good is not limited to big actions; even the smallest act counts. Examples are: A kind word, a helping hand, a sincere smile and speaking the truth when it is difficult.
Likewise, evil is not only in major crimes, it can exist in everyday behaviour. Examples are: Spreading gossip, cheating in business or exams, oppressing others, and encouraging wrongdoing through silence.
THE DUTY OF EVERY BELIEVER
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand. If he cannot, then with his tongue. If he cannot, then with his heart—and that is the weakest of faith.”
This hadith teaches us three levels of responsibility:
With your hand: Taking action when you have authority or ability.
With your tongue: Speaking out against wrong.
With your heart: Rejecting evil internally when you cannot act.
Silence in the face of wrongdoing can gradually make evil seem normal. And when evil becomes normal, society begins to decay.
SUPPORTING GOOD IN EVERYDAY LIFE Supporting good starts from within ourselves and spreads outward.
In the family: Teach children honesty and respect; Encourage prayer and good character; Correct gently but firmly
In the workplace: Be truthful and fair; Avoid corruption and shortcuts and Support integrity even when it is unpopular
In society: Speak against injustice; Help the needy and Promote unity and peace
Goodness grows when it is supported. When people see good being appreciated, they are encouraged to do more.
THE DANGER OF IGNORING EVIL
When evil is ignored, it spreads quietly until it becomes powerful.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned that when people see wrongdoing and do not stop it, Allah may punish the entire community, not just those who committed the wrong.
Think of a leaking boat: if one person makes a hole and others ignore it, everyone will drown.
Today, we see many challenges like corruption in leadership and systems, dishonesty in daily dealings, social pressure to normalize wrongdoing, influence of media promoting immoral values among others.
If we do not actively discourage these, they will shape the future of our communities.
WISDOM IN DISCOURAGING EVIL
Discouraging evil does not mean being harsh, arrogant, or judgmental. Islam teaches wisdom and compassion.
Allah says: “Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction…” (Qur’an 16:125)
So, when advising others, be gentle, not aggressive. Be sincere, not self-righteous. Choose the right time and words. And Lead by example.
Sometimes, people are more influenced by what they see than what they hear.
THE ROLE OF LEADERS AND YOUTH
Leaders—whether political, religious, or community—have a greater responsibility. Their actions influence many people. When leaders support good, society improves. When they tolerate evil, society suffers.
The youth also play a powerful role. They are the energy and future of the world. When young people choose righteousness over corruption, they reshape the direction of society.
Do not underestimate your influence, no matter your position.
PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY
Before correcting others, we must examine ourselves.
Are we honest in our dealings? Just in our judgments? Kind in our words? Upright in our private lives?
It is not enough to speak against evil publicly while practicing it privately. True reform begins with sincerity.
THE REWARD OF SUPPORTING GOOD
Every effort to promote good is rewarded by Allah.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that whoever guides someone to good will receive a reward equal to the one who does it.
Imagine the impact:
You encourage someone to pray and you share in their reward. You help someone avoid wrongdoing and you share in their success. You support justice and you contribute to a better society. Goodness multiplies.
Dear brothers and sisters, We are living in times where right and wrong are sometimes confused. But as believers, we must remain clear and firm.
Support good, even when it is difficult.
Discourage evil, even when it is unpopular.
Stand for truth, even when you stand alone.
Because in the end, we will return to Allah, and we will be asked not only about what we did, but also about what we tolerated.
O Allah, guide us to what is right and make us among those who promote good and resist evil. O Allah, purify our hearts, strengthen our faith in you, and make us instruments of goodness in our families and society. O Allah, protect us from all forms of evil. Grant us wisdom, courage, and sincerity in all that we do.
Servants of Allah,
Indeed, Allah commands justice, excellence, and helping others, and He forbids immorality, wrongdoing, and oppression. He instructs you so that you may take heed.
Abdul-Kadir Abdullah is the President, Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), Edo State Chapter.
