The Rise of Evils in Society and Our Islamic Responsibilities
Today, society is sinking into a swamp of sins such as injustice, oppression, barbarism, murder, racism, nationalism, religious hatred, sectarianism, superiority and pride, disregard for justice, self-interest, adultery, and sexual exploitation. These sins are not only affecting individual lives but are also having a negative impact on the entire society. In short, today we are a testament to: {ظَهر الْفَسَادُ فِی الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ} – (1)
Meaning, “Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea.”
And the reason is “bima kasabat aydi al-nas” (because of what the hands of men have wrought)…
Just a few days ago, a heart-wrenching and humanity-shaming incident occurred in the city of Kolkata, where a doctor was raped in such a manner that the soul trembles upon hearing her autopsy report. And this is not the first such case; thousands of such incidents have occurred in the past and are still happening. Therefore, we need to reflect on why this evil is increasing so much in society. The primary responsibility to think about its prevention falls upon us, to consider how we can protect our women, sisters, and daughters from it. Because what happened to this doctor today could happen to our sisters and daughters tomorrow.
To avoid these things, we must follow the teachings of Islam, and this can only happen when peace is established in society, when the air of justice blows in its atmosphere, and when the thoughts of society are in accordance with Islamic teachings. We can see a clear example of this in the Prophetic era and the Rashidun Caliphate. Therefore, for this, we must first adopt Tawhid (monotheism) and stay away from shirk (polytheism) and kufr (disbelief), follow the Sunnah and stay away from innovations and evils, perform the duty of enjoining good and forbidding evil, strive to earn a lawful livelihood, and abstain from the forbidden.
🔰 Below, some important matters are highlighted, which can be acted upon to make personal and collective efforts to create a peaceful society:
📍 1- Adhering to Tawhid (Monotheism):
As Allah, the Lord of Glory, has said:
{اَلَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَلَمۡ يَلۡبِسُوۡۤا اِيۡمَانَهُمۡ بِظُلۡمٍ اُولٰۤئِكَ لَهُمُ الۡاَمۡنُ وَهُمۡ مُّهۡتَدُوۡنَ} – (2)
Translation: "It is those who believe and do not mix their faith with injustice (shirk) – those will have security, and they are the [rightly] guided."
“In this verse, ‘security’ refers to protection from the punishment of this world and the Hereafter.” – (3)
“The servant who believes in Allah and does not associate anyone with Him is the most entitled to be safe from fear.” – (4)
There is no doubt that attaining peace and security is linked to Tawhid. The one who adheres to perfect Tawhid is the one who attains complete peace and tranquility.
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“Whoever fears Allah, Allah protects him from everything. And whoever does not fear Allah, Allah makes him fear everything.” – (5)
📍 2- Following the Sunnah and Staying Away from Innovations:
Allah, the Lord of Glory, has said:
{وَمَاۤ اٰتٰٮكُمُ الرَّسُوۡلُ فَخُذُوْهُ وَمَا نَهٰٮكُمۡ عَنۡهُ فَانْتَهُوۡا ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ شَدِيۡدُ الۡعِقَابِۘ} – (6)
Translation: “And whatever the Messenger has given you – take it; and what he has forbidden you – refrain from. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.”
The fundamental requirement of the religion of Islam, the basic pillar of faith, and the necessary condition for the acceptance of deeds is to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), to submit to it, and to adopt it in practice. Whereas for those who disobey the command of the Prophet (ﷺ) and oppose his Sunnah, Allah has ordained a punishment of humiliation and disgrace, as the Lord of the Worlds has said:
{فَلۡيَحۡذَرِ الَّذِيۡنَ يُخَالِفُوۡنَ عَنۡ اَمۡرِهٖۤ اَنۡ تُصِيۡبَهُمۡ فِتۡنَةٌ اَوۡ يُصِيۡبَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ} – (7)
Translation: "So let those beware who dissent from the Prophet's order, lest fitnah strike them or a painful punishment."
Imam Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) says in the commentary of this verse:
“Meaning, those who oppose the command of the Messenger, the Sunnah of the Messenger, the instruction of the Messenger, the way of the Messenger, and the law of the Messenger will be punished. A person should align his words and deeds with the Sunnah and Hadith of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). Whatever is in agreement is good, and whatever is not is rejected. It is in Bukhari and Muslim that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘Whoever does an action that is not in accordance with our command, it is rejected.’ (8), Whoever opposes the Shari’ah of Muhammad (ﷺ), whether overtly or covertly, a seed of disbelief, hypocrisy, innovation, and evil is sown in his heart, or he will face a severe punishment, either in this world with punishments like execution, imprisonment, and prescribed penalties, or in the Hereafter with the punishment of the afterlife.” – (9)
Furthermore, the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“وجُعِلَ الذُّلُّ والصَّغارُ على مَنْ خالف أمري”. – (10)
“Humiliation and disgrace have been ordained for those who disobey my command.”
Thus, Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him), explaining these two matters, states:
“Whoever reflects on the affairs of the world will know that all kinds of goodness in the world are due to the Tawhid of Allah, His worship, and obedience to His Messenger (ﷺ). And all kinds of evil, tribulation, calamity, famine, the dominance of enemies, and other evils in the world are all due to opposing the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and calling upon others besides Allah. Therefore, whoever reflects well on these matters will find this to be the true reason.” – (11)
Meaning, after Tawhid, salvation and peace lie in obedience to the Prophet (ﷺ), firmly adhering to his Sunnah, and staying away from innovations and superstitions. As he (ﷺ) warned against innovations, saying:
“مَنْ أحدَث في أمرنا هذا ما ليس منه فهو ردٌّ” – (12)
“Whoever introduces something new into this matter of ours (religion) that is not from it, it will be rejected.”
Innovation is a misguidance that distorts the face of religion, a discord that shatters the unity of the Ummah, and an open deviation that causes misfortune and wretchedness, as Allah Almighty says:
﴿فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَجِيبُوا لَكَ فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّمَا يَتَّبِعُونَ أَهْوَاءَهُمْ وَمَنْ أَضَلُّ مِمَّنَ اتَّبَعَ هَوَاهُ بِغَيْرِ هُدًى مِنَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ﴾ – (13)
Translation: "But if they do not respond to you - then know that they only follow their [own] desires. And who is more astray than one who follows his desire without guidance from Allah? Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing peopl1e."
📍 3- Fulfilling Allah’s Commands and Avoiding His Prohibitions:
A servant’s fulfillment of Allah’s commands and abandonment of His prohibitions is a means of protection from evils and tribulations in this world and the Hereafter, a source of security and safety from Allah. As the Lord of the Worlds has said:
{فَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ مَا اسۡتَطَعۡتُمۡ وَاسۡمَعُوۡا وَاَطِيۡعُوۡا وَاَنۡفِقُوۡا خَيۡرًا لِّاَنۡفُسِكُمۡؕ وَمَنۡ يُّوۡقَ شُحَّ نَفۡسِهٖ فَاُولٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الۡمُفۡلِحُوۡنَ} – (14)
Translation: "So fear Allah as much as you are able and listen and obey and spend [in the way of Allah]; it is better for your souls. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful2."
He also said:
{مَنۡ عَمِلَ صَالِحًـا مِّنۡ ذَكَرٍ اَوۡ اُنۡثٰى وَهُوَ مُؤۡمِنٌ فَلَـنُحۡيِيَنَّهٗ حَيٰوةً طَيِّبَةً وَلَـنَجۡزِيَـنَّهُمۡ اَجۡرَهُمۡ بِاَحۡسَنِ مَا كَانُوۡا يَعۡمَلُوۡنَ} – (15)
Translation: "Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do."
Hafiz Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
“This is a promise from Allah Almighty to the man or woman who performs righteous deeds while in a state of faith. Righteous deeds are those that are in accordance with the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). And the promise is that Allah will grant him a good life in this world and reward him with the best reward on the Day of Resurrection. A good life includes all kinds of comfort and ease. It has been narrated from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) and other scholars that they interpreted a good life as pure, lawful provision. It is narrated from Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) that he took a good life to mean contentment, and this is also the view of Ibn Abbas, Ikrimah, and Wahb ibn Munabbih. Ali ibn Abi Talhah narrated from Ibn Abbas regarding the interpretation of this verse that it means a prosperous life. Ad-Dahhak (may Allah have mercy on him) says: It means lawful provision and the ability to worship in this world. Ad-Dahhak also says elsewhere: It means obedience to Allah with an open heart; but the correct view is that a good life includes all these things.” – (16)
📍 4- Paying Attention to Obligatory Duties, Especially Adhering to the Fajr Prayer:
Allah has made five daily prayers obligatory, and it is mandatory to perform all five. Each prayer has its own importance, but some prayers have been greatly emphasized in the Hadith. One of them is the Fajr prayer, which has countless virtues. One of them is that Allah protects the person who prays Fajr, as narrated from the Prophet (ﷺ):
“مَنْ صَلَّى الصُّبْحَ فَهُوَ فِي ذِمَّةِ اللَّهِ”. – (17)
“Whoever prays the morning prayer is under the protection of Allah.”
At-Tibi (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
“The morning prayer is specifically mentioned because it involves hardship and difficulty, and its performance is a sign of a person’s sincerity of intention, and it manifests his faith. And whoever is a sincere believer is under the protection and covenant of Allah.” – (18)
Furthermore, Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
“In this is evidence that it is obligatory to respect those Muslims who affirm their faith by praying the Fajr prayer, because only a believer prays the Fajr prayer, and no one is allowed to oppress or transgress against them.” – (19)
📍 5- Adherence to Dhikr, Adhkar, and Daily Supplications:
Adherence to dhikr, adhkar (remembrances), and daily supplications not only brings spiritual peace but also serves as a physical and spiritual shield for a believer. As Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala has commanded:
{وَاذۡكُرْ رَّبَّكَ فِىۡ نَفۡسِكَ تَضَرُّعًا وَّخِيۡفَةً وَّدُوۡنَ الۡجَـهۡرِ مِنَ الۡقَوۡلِ بِالۡغُدُوِّ وَالۡاٰصَالِ وَلَا تَكُنۡ مِّنَ الۡغٰفِلِيۡنَ} – (20)
Translation: "And remember your Lord within yourself in humility and in fear without being loud in speech - in the mornings and the evenings. And do not be among the heedless."
The importance of adhering to daily supplications is also emphasized in the Hadith, as the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
” لَا يَزَالُ لِسَانُكَ رَطْبًا مِنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ”. – (21)
“Let your tongue remain moist with the remembrance of Allah.”
Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) said that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) never failed to say these supplications in the morning and evening: «اللهم إني أسألك العافية في الدنيا والآخرة، اللهم إني أسألك العفو والعافية في ديني ودنياى وأهلي ومالي، اللهم استر عوراتي وآمن روعاتي، اللهم احفظني من بين يدى ومن خلفي وعن يميني وعن شمالي ومن فوقي وأعوذ بعظمتك أن أغتال من تحتي».
Meaning: “O Allah, I ask You for well-being in this world and the Hereafter. O Allah, I ask You for pardon and well-being in my religion, my worldly affairs, my family, and my wealth. O Allah, cover my faults and calm my fears. O Allah, protect me from before me and from behind me, from my right and from my left, and from above me, and I seek refuge in Your greatness from being unexpectedly seized from beneath me.” – (22)
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) described the importance of morning and evening adhkar, saying:
“The morning and evening adhkar are like a shield; the thicker the shield, the more it protects from arrows, and it can even return them to the attacker.” – (23)
Although the two aforementioned matters (adherence to Fajr prayer and adherence to dhikr and daily supplications) are included in obeying the commands of Allah, they are mentioned here specifically because through these actions, a servant comes under the protection of Allah, and by Allah’s permission, nothing can harm him.
📍 6- Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil (Amr bil-Ma’ruf wa Nahy anil-Munkar):
For the peace, security, and betterment of society, it is extremely important to promote good and prevent evil. In this lies the prosperity and well-being of society. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala said:
{يُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَالۡيَوۡمِ الۡاٰخِرِ وَ يَاۡمُرُوۡنَ بِالۡمَعۡرُوۡفِ وَيَنۡهَوۡنَ عَنِ الۡمُنۡكَرِ وَيُسَارِعُوۡنَ فِىۡ الۡخَيۡرٰتِ ؕ وَاُولٰٓئِكَ مِنَ الصّٰلِحِيۡنَ} – (24)
Translation: "They believe in Allah and the Last Day, and they enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and hasten to good deeds. And those are among the righteous."
He also said:
{وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ لِيُهۡلِكَ الۡقُرٰى بِظُلۡمٍ وَّاَهۡلُهَا مُصۡلِحُوۡنَ} – (25)
Translation: "And your Lord would not have destroyed the cities unjustly while their people were reformers."
Sheikh Abdus Salam Bhatvi mentions in his commentary:
“Meaning, if they had been reformers instead of criminals, then destroying them with punishment would have been clear injustice, and Allah never commits such an injustice. It is not that the people of a town do not cause corruption but rather reform, enjoin good, and forbid evil, and yet Allah sends punishment upon them, because that would be injustice, and Allah is not one to commit injustice in any way.” – (26)
Abandoning the duty of enjoining good and forbidding evil leads to the destruction and ruin of the entire society and deprivation from all kinds of good. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
” وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَتَأْمُرُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ، وَلَتَنْهَوُنَّ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ، أَوْ لَيُوشِكَنَّ اللَّهُ أَنْ يَبْعَثَ عَلَيْكُمْ عِقَابًا مِنْهُ، ثُمَّ تَدْعُونَهُ فَلَا يُسْتَجَابُ لَكُمْ”. – (27)
“By the One in Whose hand is my soul, you must enjoin good and forbid evil, or Allah will be about to send upon you a punishment from Him. Then you will call upon Him, but you will not be answered.”
📍 7- Adherence to Shari’ah Limits and Implementation of Shari’ah Punishments for Crimes:
Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala says:
{تِلۡكَ حُدُوۡدُ اللّٰهِ فَلَا تَعۡتَدُوۡهَا ۚ وَمَنۡ يَّتَعَدَّ حُدُوۡدَ اللّٰهِ فَاُولٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الظّٰلِمُوۡنَ} – (28)
Translation: "These are the limits [set by] Allah, so do not transgress them. And whoever transgresses the limits of Allah - it is those who are the wrongdoers."
Imam Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
“Meaning, the laws that Allah has prescribed for you are His limits, do not transgress them. As it has come in the authentic hadith: ‘Indeed, Allah has ordained some obligatory duties, so do not neglect them; and He has set some limits, so do not transgress them; and He has forbidden some things, so do not violate them; and He has remained silent about some things out of mercy for you, not out of forgetfulness, so do not ask about them.'” – (29)
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“وما لمْ تَحْكُم أئِمَّتُهُم بكِتابِ اللهِ ويتخَيَّروا مِمّا أنزلَ اللهُ إلا جعلَ اللهُ بأسَهُم بينهُم”. – (30)
“And when their leaders do not judge according to the Book of Allah and do not choose from what Allah has revealed, Allah will cause them to have conflict among themselves.”
Islam is a religion of justice and fairness. It has laid down laws for Muslims so that the people of an Islamic society can live in peace and prosperity. They should respect the rights of other people and not harm anyone without cause. However, if a Muslim transgresses some limits in an Islamic society, commits forbidden acts, and harms people’s lives and property, then in the light of Shari’ah, the prescribed punishment (hadd) is applied and he is punished.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
“The limits of Allah are a mercy from Allah upon His creation and an intention of goodness, even for those upon whom the limits are implemented as a result of their sins. The purpose should be goodness and well-wishing for them.” – (31)
Indeed, the implementation of the divine Shari’ah is one of the most important duties, and it remedies corruption in Islamic society. However, since the implementation of Shari’ah limits is not possible here due to secularism, we must continue to inform people about the importance of implementing the limits of Allah. We should keep telling them about the worldly punishments for prescribed crimes, that such and such punishment has been set for such and such a crime, so that people know how terrible these things are, how great these crimes are, and that Allah has placed punishment in both this world and the Hereafter for their violation.
If we want to understand the mentioned points concisely, we can understand them in the light of Surah Al-Asr, in which Allah, after swearing by time, said that all human beings are in loss, except for those who perform these actions: that is, faith, righteous deeds, and fulfilling the duty of da’wah (invitation).
📍 8 – Adopting Self-Defense Measures for Oneself and One’s Family:
The sanctity of a human life is far greater than the sanctity of the Kaaba, as Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) said:
“ما أعظمَكِ وأعظمَ حُرمتَكِ، والمؤمِنُ أعظمُ حرمةً عندَ اللَّهِ منكِ” – (32)
“How great you are and how great is your sanctity! But the sanctity of a believer is greater in the sight of Allah than yours.”
Similarly, Allah has forbidden throwing oneself into destruction, as He said:
{وَلَا تُلۡقُوۡا بِاَيۡدِيۡكُمۡ اِلَى التَّهۡلُكَةِ} – (33)
Translation: "And do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction."
And then He gave the responsibility of reforming oneself along with one’s family, as the divine guidance states:
{يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا قُوۡۤا اَنۡفُسَكُمۡ وَاَهۡلِيۡكُمۡ نَارًا وَّقُوۡدُهَا النَّاسُ وَالۡحِجَارَةُ عَلَيۡهَا مَلٰٓئِكَةٌ غِلَاظٌ شِدَادٌ لَّا يَعۡصُوۡنَ اللّٰهَ مَاۤ اَمَرَهُمۡ وَيَفۡعَلُوۡنَ مَا يُؤۡمَرُوۡنَ} – (34)
Translation: "O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded."
Allah even commanded the Prophet (ﷺ) to invite his close relatives:
{وَاَنۡذِرۡ عَشِيۡرَتَكَ الۡاَقۡرَبِيۡنَۙ} – (35)
Translation: "And warn, [O Muhammad], your closest kindred."
Similarly, the Prophet (ﷺ) declared anyone killed in defense of his family as a martyr, as he said:
“مَنْ قَاتَلَ دُونَ أَهْلِهِ فَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ” – (36)
“Whoever fights to protect his family (and is killed) is a martyr.”
All these texts indicate that we should be concerned about ourselves and our families, guide them correctly, and try to protect them from the sensory and intellectual onslaughts of falsehood. This can take many forms: do not send your mothers, sisters, daughters, and all the women of your household outside alone. If they are going out somewhere, try to have a male member of the family accompany them. Considering the situation of the country, it is better for women not to work outside, and Islamic teaching also says that women should stay at home in peace and tranquility. If it is necessary to work, they should do so during the day, but in places where only women work and there is no mixing of men and women. Similarly, teach your sisters and daughters self-defense, both intellectually and practically, in any form, such as karate, so that, God forbid, if they get stuck in such an unfavorable situation, they can think calmly about how to get out of that difficulty or how to deal with it. Likewise, obscene things should not be watched or shown at home. In most households today, there is a TV, and the whole family watches films and dramas together, in which obscenity, nudity, secularism, and feminism are excessively shown and promoted. This is causing the young generation of the Ummah to grow up with intellectual deviations and false ideas. If this is not nipped in the bud, then these evils will emerge from these homes and will not take long to destroy the society and the country. This will spread such fitnah and fasad (trial and corruption) that our story will not even be in the stories…
🎯 These are some fundamental matters. If we move forward in these matters, hold ourselves accountable, purify ourselves, adopt these matters, and implement them in our homes, then Insha’Allah, with the reform of every home, a clean and pure society will come into existence, whose spiritual strength will cause disbelief, polytheism, innovations, and evils to start disappearing on their own. If every person reforms himself, then Insha’Allah, with collectivity, the entire society can change based on these individual reforms. Therefore, to establish a peaceful and tranquil society, it is extremely necessary to adopt the aforementioned matters and to block their opposites…
Umm Muhammad Khushnuma Muslihuddin
Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah Al-Mukarramah
References
(1) Ar-Rum: 41
(2) Al-An’am: 82
(3) Tafsir Ibn Ashur, with modifications.
(4) Tafsir Aysar al-Tafasir by Abu Bakr al-Jazairi.
(5) Ad-Daa’ wa Ad-Dawaa’ (p. 120).
(6) Al-Hashr: 7
(7) An-Nur: 63
(8) Agreed upon.
(9) Tafsir Ibn Kathir.
(10) Irwa al-Ghalil: (5/109) – Hasan.
(11) Majmu’ al-Fatawa: 25/15
(12) Sahih Muslim: 1718
(13) Surah Al-Qasas: 50
(14) At-Taghabun: 15
(15) An-Nahl: 97
(16) Tafsir Ibn Kathir (516/4).
(17) Sahih Muslim: 657
(18) Sharh Mishkat al-Masabih, by al-Tibi (2/184).
(19) Sharh Riyadh as-Salihin (1/591).
(20) Al-A’raf: 205
(21) Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 3375, Sahih.
(22) Sunan Abi Dawood: 5074, Sahih.
(23) Al-Wabil al-Sayyib: 71
(24) Aal ‘Imran: 114
(25) Hud: 117
(26) Tafsir Al-Quran Al-Karim, Tafsir Abdus Salam Bhatvi.
(27) Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 2169, Hasan.
(28) Al-Baqarah: 229
(29) Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Tafsir al-Qur’an al-‘Azim) (1/405), Sahih.
(30) Sunan Ibn Majah: 4019, Hasan.
(31) Majmu’ al-Fatawa 329/28
(32) Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 2032, Hasan.
(33) Al-Baqarah: 195
(34) At-Tahrim: 6
(35) Ash-Shu’ara: 214
(36) Sunan an-Nasa’i: 4099, Sahih
