Allah [may He be Glorified] said: “Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islâm), enjoining Al-Ma’rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islâm has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful” (3:104).
Commentary:
Allah commands the believers to take the most powerful means with which they can establish their religion on a strong basis. This can be achieved if a group among them assumes the collective obligation of:
– “Inviting to all that is good” i.e., the religion with its principles, branches and legislations.
– “Enjoining Al-Ma’rûf” i.e., all that is known to be good from the point of view of religion and reason.
– “Forbidding Al-Munkar” i.e., all that is known to be bad from the point of view of religion and reason.
– “And it is they who are the successful” i.e., those who are fully aware of their duties and who save themselves from all that causes fear.
This group of people includes scholars, seekers of knowledge, the public and private preachers and theMuhtasibs (public inspectors) who compel people to perform prayer, pay the Zakah, abide by the Religious legislations and forbid them from doing evil. So, anyone who invites people to goodness or gives advice, either in public or in private is included in this verse.
See Tafsir Ibn Sa’di, p. 112 (Al-Luwaihiq Edition)
Source: QuranComplex