The Assigned Duty

Here the verses of the Holy Qur’an inform the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless and greet him) and his followers that they have been assigned the guidance and leadership of the world, a position the Israelites had been relieved of because they had shown themselves unsuitable. The Muslims were charged with this responsibility because of their competence. They were the best people in terms of character and morals and had developed in theory and in practice the qualities essential for truly righteous leadership, namely the spirit and practical commitment to promoting good and suppressing evil and the acknowledgement of the One True God as their Lord and Master. In view of the task entrusted to them, they had to become conscious of their responsibilities and avoid the mistakes committed by their predecessors. This is the same declaration that was made earlier in verse 2: 143 also.

The Holy Qur’an has repeatedly underlined this important duty of amr bil ma’aroof (inviting people to all that is good and enjoining the doing of all that is right) and nahi anil munkar (forbidding the doing of all that is wrong). In Surah Tauba (9:71) the believers, both men and women, have been reminded of this duty with specific mention of the fact that both men and women are “allies of one another” in discharging this duty. It says: “The believers, both men and women, are allies of one another. They enjoin good, forbid evil, establish Prayer, pay Zakah, and obey Allah and His Messenger. Surely Allah will show mercy to them. Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.”