Allah said: Let there arise out of you a group of people, inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma`ruf (all that Islam orders) and forbidding Al-Munkar (all that Islam has forbidden).
that calls to righteousness, enjoins all that is good and forbids evil in the manner Allah commanded.
And it is they who are the successful.
The objective of this Ayah is that there should be a segment of this Muslim Ummah fulfilling this task, even though it is also an obligation on every member of this Ummah, each according to his ability.
Muslim recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said:
“Whoever among you witnesses an evil,
- let him change it with his hand.
- If he is unable, then let him change it with his tongue.
- If he is unable, then let him change it with his heart, and this is the weakest faith. In another narration, (The Prophet said, There is no faith beyond that, not even the weight of a mustard seed.)”
Imam Ahmad recorded that Hudhayfah bin Al-Yaman said that the Prophet said,
“By He in Whose Hand is my soul! You will enjoin righteousness and forbid evil, or Allah shall send down a punishment from Him to you. Then, you will supplicate to Him, but He will not accept your supplication.
At-Tirmidhi also collected this Hadith and said, “Hasan”.
[ Entirely taken from the book ‘Tafsir Ibn Kathir’ ]