In addition to sharing Islam with society, the Islamic methodology directs change agents towards exerting efforts for enjoining good and forbiding wrong in society and the state.
Enjoining good includes the promotion of Islamic values in society such as:
- truth,
- honesty,
- chastity,
- family values,
- respect and care for the elderly,
- care and proper upbringing for the young,
- a moral and balanced education,
- just social policies,
- the equitable distribution of wealth,
- care for orphans, and
- support for the poor.
Furthermore, acting on such good in one’s private life is not enough according to Islam. Public life and the state must also conform to equitable and moral principles. In fact, anything that is not firmly established in collective life cannot be sustained for long in the private sphere. This is why all the Messengers of Allah, according to Islam, did not solely preach individual morality, they also strove to build public life on strong faith and Islamic moral code.
Thus, in the light of Islamic guidance, crime, corruption and social evils should not only be the concern of the victims or the police, rather they must be everyone’s concern. Muslims are duty bound to rid society of immoral, depraved, dishonest and unjust practices. All forms of corruption, injustice and acts of oppression have to be fought against - this includes:
- gambling,
- prostitution,
- pornography,
- alcohol,
- drugs,
- political corruption,
- economic injustice, and
- harmful legislation and social policies.
[compiled from “Building a New Society” by Zahid Parvez, pp. 250-251]
**Source:**YMFN