Question:
This is a questioner who says: What is the significance of presenting the command to do good and the prohibition of evil before the mention of faith in the Almighty’s statement: “You [true believers in Islamic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his Sunnah] are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma‘ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden), and you believe in Allah.” [Ali ‘Imran, 110] ?
Answer:
Because this indicates special concern and importance. Enjoining good and forbidding evil is already encompassed within belief in Allah; however, it was singled out for mention and placed first to emphasize its importance. This shows how crucial the command to do good and the prohibition of evil is, and that it does not befit believers to abandon this ritual when they are able to perform it. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand (by taking action); if he is unable, then with his tongue (by speaking out); and if he is unable, then with his heart (by hating it), and that is the weakest of faith.”.
And in another narration: “And beyond that, there is not even a mustard seed’s weight of faith.”.
Therefore, the one who does not forbid evil—not even with his heart—has no faith.