Articles: Ma'roof and Monkar

Contributed by bineshan on 14 Aug 2007 - 09:58 AM

Ma'roof and Monkar


We are living in a colorful world where every day some so-called new behaviors are surfacing and adopted -while many of these behaviors are not even so new- but any way, they are enough to confuse any one who does not stand on solid ground.

In Islam, the term "Ma'roof" refers to those accepted acts which are known as "good"; and the term "Monkar" refers to those unaccepted acts which are known as "evil". Enjoining to Ma'roof and forbidding Monkar, are recommended, but there are conditions which must be considered; for instance, those who enjoin and forbid, must recognize and perform Ma'roof and Monkar themselves, must be kind and convincing, have to make sure that the grounds for it are favorable and ... .

In order for every one of us not to deviate from the Right Path to everlasting Salvation, a very significant and first point to consider is, the recognition of Ma'roof and Monkar; "Goodness" and "Evil" are not necessarily those acts which are known as good and bad, in our societies. As time passes, different societies and cultures may adopt certain behaviours as acceptable, and after a while, such behaviours may be considered quite normal. For instance, if some day having an intimate relationship between a man and a woman, was only accepted in marriage, but today in many societies, actually, having an intimate relationship outside marriage, is considered quite normal, and it is even argued that, two adults have every right to decide for their own lives (we also invite you to read the article: "Relationships" in this site); and, some societies have even gone further and said that, the two adults could be either a male and a female, or two males, or two females!!! As you know certain societies -which their number is unfortunately growing day by day- have even declared the marriage between two males or two females, as lawful! In these types of societies, such behaviors are justified and as time passes, they become more and more acceptable. Unfortunately, young people growing up in these societies -if not guided properly- may learn to believe that such behaviours are normal and part of every day life!

Some times, the justifications used, are quite deceiving; for instance they claim that, in the same manner that having prejudice against black people is wrong, having prejudice against these types of behaviours is also wrong! While Islam considers blacks and whites absolutely equal, but it most certainly condemns those types of behaviours, and promises severe Punishment; also, it is noteworthy to mention that such behaviors are not new, Qur’an clearly talks about such sinners and their destruction (Qur’an, Surah Hejr, verses 57 to 75;… ).

It is obvious that, there must be a set standard -based on the Will of Allah, the Creator of every thing- which the Believers (Mo'menoon) can follow for the recognition of the Ma'roof and Monkar. It is so beautiful and heart-assuring that the Divine standard for Ma'roof and Monkar actually sets the Believers' Path toward a healthy and peaceful life in this world, and also to an eternal Salvation, and it prevents Believers from falling into the traps of Shaitaan (Satan), into the traps of evil justifications in the names of freedom, human rights and… . In another words, the Divine standard for "Ma'roof and Monkar" keeps Believers in the safe and real boundaries of the True Goodness, instead of leaving them wandering in the broken boundaries of Darkness. The lightful Path towards the everlasting Salvation is defined by the most Compassionate Allah, based on Goodness and not, based on Darkness. Perhaps now we can have a profounder comprehension of the celestial statement which we recite in the “Pilgrimage Prayer of Imam Mahdi (PBUH)”, the "Ziyaarat of Aale-Yaa-Syn":


and Ma'roof is what you command to, and Monkar is what you forbid from… .


(Behaar-Ol-Anwaar,… )


Allah's chosen-ones deliver to us the Will of Allah. If we truly love God from the bottom of our hearts, and if we wish to know His Wishes, and if we are after a detailed description of Ma'roof and Monkar, and if it is important for us to please Allah because we love Him so much, and if we believe that the words of Mohammad and his progeny (PBUT) are the manifestation of the ever-perfect Word of Allah, then we confess with our souls and hearts: Ma'roof is what you command to, and Monkar is what you forbid from.

Here, we wish to narrate a meaningful Hadith from our beloved Prophet Mohammad (PBUH&HP), which is a red alert for all of us:


when you will not enjoin to Ma’roof, and not forbid Monkar,… and worse than that, when you will enjoin to Monkar, and forbid Ma’roof,… and worse than that, when you shall consider Ma’roof as Monkar, and Monkar as Ma’roof… .

(Book of Kaafi,… )


The Prophet (PBUH&HP) in this Hadith and many Hadithes like it, has prophesied that even some in his nation will deviate from the Right Path in this manner. Let us be very careful, and never forget that the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH&HP) has also in many occasions such as Ghadir, repeatedly emphasized on the vital fact -which the survival of the True Islam depends upon- that his Halaal (Divinely designated lawful) and Haraam (unlawful), are Halaal and Haraam until Qiaamat (Resurrection).

O' our loving Mahdi! We are -with broken hearts- observing many sad examples from all three cases which your most beloved Ancestor, the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH&HP), warned about over 1400 years ago; if your wonderful Appearance does not happen sooner, more Monkar will be presented as Ma'roof, and more Ma'roof as Monkar; as your forefather, the Saadeq of Mohammad's progeny (PBUT), has exhorted us, it is upon us to implore Allah to hasten your magnificent Appearance (we cordially invite all Anticipators to also read the article: "Divine Relief" in this site); may Allah bless us with sincere moments of supplications and invocations, but we have a humble request from you, our beloved lord, too: Please, pray for your Appearance!

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