The fundamental principles influencing issues of the creed of Ahl al-Sunnah

Yusuf, drawings of Darwan, and a foundational applied study Definition of the book's subject: the obligation of enjoining good and forbidding evil has a great rank and a supreme position; the charitable nation of Islam has gained over all nations, and obedience to Allah is not complete except through it; (enjoining good and forbidding evil is the greatest pole in religion, and it is the important matter for which Allah sent all prophets. If its table were rolled up and its knowledge neglected, it would disable prophecy, religion would be joined, the gap would spread, darkness would prevail, and it would be widespread, and others would spread, the crack would widen, the bridges would collapse, servants would perish, and they would not realize the destruction except on the Day of the Call)! And since it is established: that the rules of every science are its foundation and reliance, and that basic information regarding it is like the head for the human body or the foundation for the building’s roof, and that it is built only on principles — and there was an urgent need to derive branches on principles in issues of jurisprudence regarding enjoining good and forbidding evil, and to make it an applied jurisprudential subject derived from doctrinal instructions. And the book of this week is a unique study to recognize the extent of influence of basic information in issues of enjoining good and forbidding evil; to reach a state of certainty about the correctness of jurisprudential judgment related to the accountability, and its connection to the fundamentals of jurisprudence, and to emphasize the mistake in believing that instructions about things are mere rigid theories with no practical relevance, and to participate in reforming the work of the muhtasib (accountability officer) according to correct Islamic foundations from the Book and Sunnah and understanding of the righteous predecessors, by clarifying the steps and legal controls related to this obligation; to attempt to confront secularism and materialism; to fill the gaps through which opponents of this obligation and its bodies and members infiltrate; and to uncover the falsehood of doubts and fierce attacks launched by various media against enjoining good and forbidding evil morning and evening, and to shield them from a barrage of arrows, reaching the extent of exaggeration that diminishes the stature of this obligation. The book consists of an introduction, a preface, four chapters, and a conclusion: In the introduction, the author discusses the most important topic, reasons for choosing it, subsequent studies, and the methodology followed, which can be summarized as future instructions: explaining what is required of each person’s competence, and clarifying its general meaning, with some guidance when needed, mentioning disagreements if any, and clarifying the dispute location if any, then providing evidence for it. Issues of branches: presenting branches related to enjoining good and forbidding evil, prepared under doctrinal principles, mentioning opinions on jurisprudence with their evidence — if there are differences — briefly, and repeating some jurisprudential branches in various places whenever they fall under other requirements, with references to the specific location where the specialization or discussion occurs, or when repeating the branch, relying on the books of early scholars who dedicated independent works to the topic of enjoining good and forbidding evil, along with what later scholars wrote on this subject, and extracting well-established information from the writings of scholars in the sciences. As for the preface: it includes an explanation of the title’s vocabulary, a brief mention of enjoining good and forbidding evil, which is divided into four sections: defining the principles of things linguistically and terminologically, defining common principles, defining effect and jurisprudence linguistically and terminologically, mentioning the difference between effect, derivation, and application, and highlighting the most important books that focus on deriving branches from principles. It also defines enjoining good and forbidding evil linguistically and terminologically, and explains related terms such as: Hisbah, accountability, clarifying the difference. Then, a brief overview of enjoining good and forbidding evil, discussing its legality; affirming that it is an obligatory duty, which may become necessary in certain cases, and discussing the virtue and importance of enjoining good and forbidding evil, citing many Quranic, Prophetic, and Salafi texts. It then discusses the pillars of this obligation, which are four (the muhtasib, or the enforcer and the forbider — the muhtasib upon him or the commanded and the forbade — the muhtasib in what is commanded or the commanded — the accountability or the enjoining and forbidding), and details each pillar. The first chapter is dedicated to doctrinal rules related to the Islamic ruling, divided into two sections: Section one: discusses doctrinal rules related to the principles of Islamic legislation, including six requirements, each with an independent discussion that clarifies the reason for the principles and their effect on enjoining good and forbidding evil, mentioning related issues as per his method in the book. Topics include: the rule of “There is no sovereign but Allah,” with three issues under it, including: no enjoining or forbidding except what Allah and His Messenger commanded or forbade. Then, it discusses the rule of “Preparations for readiness,” with an introduction explaining the meaning of readiness and its divisions, which include: obligatory and voluntary, settled and optional, narrow and broad. It also discusses the rule of “The single act may carry five types of obligation,” and the rule of “What cannot be prepared for is obligatory,” with seven issues, including: establishing the capable person in the accountability authority, teaching jurisprudence and administrative matters related to accountability, and teaching what is limited to learning through prohibition in its fields, such as internet sins and others. It discusses the rule of “Which is more deserving: determination or concession?” and mentions one issue: that enjoining good and forbidding evil with the expectation of harm, even death, is a firm resolve, while leaving children seemingly on their own is a concession. Section eight of this chapter: gathers discussions about the fundamentals related to the system’s evidence, discussing the (Holy Book), its authority, that odd readings are evidence, that abrogation is permissible rationally and legally, and that the original in texts is the ruling, not abrogation, with three related issues. It also discusses the rule of “The ambiguous is referred back to the clear,” with three issues: confusion in understanding {There is no compulsion in religion} [Al-Baqarah: 256] regarding abandoning accountability over people, citing religious and personal freedom. Then, it discusses the (Prophetic Sunnah), its authority, and that it clarifies the Book; mentioning the statement: {They used not to forbid evil} [Al-Ma’idah: 79], and the Prophet’s actions as clarification of his saying, including the issue of the Prophet wiping with accountability by his hands, tongue, and heart. It also discusses the fundamental models of the Prophet’s approval, and the issue of the permissibility of leaving the prohibition in trade and transactions. Next, it discusses (Consensus), its authority, and that the majority’s opinion does not count as consensus, mentioning five issues: some issues agreed upon as undeniable, and that the permission of the ruler is not required in accountability, nor is the righteousness of the muhtasib necessary, among others. It also mentions that disagreement among Ahl al-Ahwa’ (people of desires) is not considered consensus, with three related issues. Then, it discusses (Analogy) and its authority, listing five issues under it. Next, it discusses the idea that “The precedents of our Sharia are proof,” and mentions thirteen issues, including: the accountability was recognized in the laws of previous nations, and the use of accountability methods and tools in the stories of prophets like Noah, Abraham, Moses, Aaron, Lot, and others. It then discusses the (Companion’s Madhhab) as a proof, mentioning six issues, five of which relate to the understanding of the four rightly-guided caliphs, and the sixth about the legality of public enjoining and forbidding. Next, it discusses the (Natural) approach: “Blocking the way of temptation,” with six issues. Then, it discusses (Istislah) and (Istishab), mentioning one issue under each. The third chapter is dedicated to explaining the doctrinal principles related to the objectives of Sharia, with an introduction and two sections: The introduction explains the meaning of the objectives of Sharia and the legitimate goals in enjoining good and forbidding evil. Section one: discusses necessary and beneficial advice; beginning with clarifying the meaning of essential matters and the importance of beneficial needs, then addressing the size of the five necessities (religion, life, limbs, lineage, and honor), and the impact of each on jurisprudence of enjoining good and forbidding evil, and related issues. It then discusses the size of proofs; and as a result, the law is elevated, and necessity is considered as an obligation, with issues about what is considered necessary beyond the limit. It also discusses the effort involved in the good and beautiful, and mentions ten issues, including: achieving the goal of justice in accountability, and the goal of kindness, patience, and mercy in accountability. The eighth section of this chapter: is dedicated to balancing between interest and harm, explaining a new meaning of balancing and the methods of weighing between them, and their impact on jurisprudence of enjoining good and forbidding evil. It mentions eight issues, including: accountability should not be abandoned if a harm results, except as symptoms and verbal harm, including: considering appropriate enjoining based on circumstances. It also discusses the importance of considering the outcome, and that it is a valid consideration, explaining its meaning and impact, and mentions eight issues: that the consequences of denying evil may be left or delayed for a legitimate reason, and that leaving or delaying the denial for a legitimate reason is permissible. Finally, the conclusion: it mentions the most important results of the research and the proposed recommendations: Among the most important results: - The study of more than fifty doctrinal rules, and over one hundred and seventy considerations for examining their validity, including some internal rules from jurisprudential branches that were overlooked. - The topic of enjoining good and forbidding evil is now vast and comprehensive, making it encompass all aspects of religious and worldly life, and all levels and degrees. - Requesting extensive jurisprudential controls, requiring many conditions, including: enjoining and forbidding only what Allah and His Messenger prescribed, and that opinions and customs have no role in defining what is good or evil, among many others. Among the most prominent recommendations: - The advice to compile all existing legal rules and jurisprudential principles derived from the roots of jurisprudence and the objectives of Sharia related to enjoining good and forbidding evil, to serve as a “Accountability Constitution”; guiding every Muslim muhtasib in enjoining good and forbidding evil. - Delegating the clarification of the “Accountability Constitution” through an illuminating explanatory memorandum. - Writing a “Legal and Shariah Rules related to Accountability” as a constitutional legal material in all educational institutions and relevant entities, and implementing these proposals at the Higher Institute for Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil in Mecca. - The recommendation to pay serious and diligent attention to the topic of “Gender Accountability” within the scope of the official accountability authority. It is worth mentioning: this message has now been fully discussed with a 100% approval rate, with excellent grades and first-class honors, and a recommendation for printing. The book is important, especially for those interested in accountability, and we advise reading it.