Arguments from the Quran

The fourth verse is as follows: “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.” (Quran, 3:110) In this verse, two terms are noteworthy: (1) Amr wa Nahi (enjoining and forbidding) and (2) Ma’ruf wa Munkar (what is right and what is wrong). Ma’ruf means what is preferred or good, while Munkar means what is disliked or bad. In Islamic terminology, these terms refer to all matters related to beliefs and actions that are specified by Shariah as either desirable or undesirable. Ma’ruf includes everything mandated by Shariah, whereas Munkar covers everything that is prohibited or discouraged, whether related to beliefs, acts of worship, or actions. These words seem to encapsulate the essence of the entire Shari’ah: “Al-Ma’ruf huwa ismun jaami’un likulli ma ‘urifa min ta’atillah wal-taqarrub ilayh wal-ihsaan ila alnaas.” (Lisan al-Arab, Vol. 9, p. 240). That is, “AlMa’ruf is a comprehensive term for all that is known to be obedience to Allah, drawing closer to Him, and doing good to people.” “Al-Munkar zidd al-ma’roof. Wa kullu ma qabbahushshar’u wa harramahu wa karihahu fahuwa munkar.” (AlNihaya by Ibn al-Atheer, Vol. 5, p. 115). That is, “Al-