Islam Teaches Righteousness and Forbids Evil Deeds

[By: Dr. Norlain Dindang Mababaya. Click here to visit the source of this post. Allah bless the owner/s of this article. Amin.]


Islâm is the only divine revealed religion from Allâh, the One and Only True God of all mankind.  It is no less than Allâh Who says that it is the Right Religion but most people do not know it (Qur’ân, 12:40 and 30:30).  Islâm as the right religion, enjoins nothing but righteousness.  Likewise, it prohibits wrong and evil deeds.  Unfortunately most people do not know the virtuous Islâmic teachings.  To guide all mankind with the right religion and complete way of life, Allâh our Creator and Sustainer has commanded Muslims to enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong:

"Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good (i.e., Islâm), enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: they are the ones to attain felicity.” (3:104) 

“The Believers, men and women, are protectors, one to another: they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil . . .”  (9:71)

Prophet Muhammad r also enjoins us to observe righteousness and forbid evil deeds.  The following are some of the Ahâdith (Teachings of Prophet Muhammad r), which show how Allâh’s Messenger r  enjoins us to the virtuous teaching of enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong:

Abû Sa ‘id Al-Khudri t narrated that he heard Allâh’s Messenger r as saying, “He who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has no strength enough to do it, then he should do it with his tongue.  And if he has no strength enough to do it, (even) then he should (abhor it) from his heart and that is the least of faith.”   (Muslim 79)

Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud t narrated that Allâh’s Messenger r said, “…By no means, I swear by Allâh, you must enjoin what is good and prohibit what is evil, prevent the wrongdoer, bend him into conformity with what is right, and restrict him to what is right.”  (Abû Dâwûd 4322)

Islâm encourages its Believers to be righteous and, at the same time, to invite Non-Muslims to righteousness.   Righteousness is one of the keys to Paradise:

“But give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness that their portion is Gardens beneath which rivers flow.  Every time they are fed with fruits therein they say: ‘Why this is what we were fed with before’; for they are given things in similitude; and they have therein companions (pure and holy); and they abide therein (for ever).”  (2:25)

“Praise be to Allâh Who has sent to His Servant the Book and has allowed therein no Crookedness.  (He has made it) Straight (and Clear) in order that He may warn (the godless) of a terrible Punishment from Him.  And that He may give Glad Tidings to the Believers who work righteous deeds:  that they shall have a goodly Reward,  wherein they shall remain forever.”   (18:1-3)

“You will see the wrongdoers in fear on account of what they have earned and (the burden of) that must (necessarily) fall on them.  But those who believe and work righteous deeds will be in the luxuriant mead of the Gardens.  They shall have before their Rabb all that they wish for: that will indeed be the magnificent Bounty (of Allâh).  That is (the Bounty) whereof Allâh gives Glad Tidings to His Servants who believe and do righteous deeds...”   (42:22-23)

Allâh’s Messenger r not only enjoins us to adhere to righteousness but also encourages us to call people to it:

Abû Hurairah t  narrated that Allâh’s Messenger r said, “He who called people to righteousness, there would be reward (assured) for him like the rewards of those who adhered to it, without their rewards being diminished in any respect. And he who called (people) to error, he shall have to carry (the burden) of its sin, like those who committed it, without their sins being diminished in any respect.”  (Muslim, 4/6470)

Thawban t  narrated that Allâh’s Messenger r  said, “Adhere to righteousness which you will not be able to do completely, bear in mind that the best act (amongst your deeds) is the prayer, and no one is so much particular about ablution but a believer.” (Tirmidhî, 292 and Ibn Mâjah)

The best among mankind in the sight of our Creator is he who is most righteous. Allâh the Almighty tells us:

“O mankind!   We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise each other).  Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allâh is (he who is) the most righteous of you.  And Allâh has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).”  (49: 13)

Furthermore, Allâh instructs the Believers to help one another in righteousness and piety (5:2).  He makes it clear that He loves the righteous (9:4) and those who do good (5:93).  It is therefore, an act of righteousness on the part of the Believers to invite others to all that is good.

Non-Muslims should know that Islâm is the only Religion and the only Way of Life that teaches us the true meaning of righteousness based on divine injunctions. Allâh says in His Book:

It is not righteousness that you turn your faces toward East or West; but it is righteousness to believe in Allâh and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves;  to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfill the contracts which you have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic.  Such are the people of truth, the God-fearing.  (2:177) 

The above verse tells us that the righteous are those who are truly God-fearing.  They show their true and sincere faith in Allâh not only by praying to Him but also by giving charity, fulfilling contracts, and being firm and patient in whatever trials that Allâh may bring to them. Allâh’s Messenger r defines righteousness as follows:

Wabisha Ibn Wa’bad  t  narrated that Allâh’s Messenger r said,  “…Righteousness is that with which the soul is tranquil and the heart is tranquil, but sin is that which rouses suspicion in the soul and is perplexing in the breast, even if people give you a decision in its favor.”  (Tirmidhî, 2774)

From the above definitions of righteousness in Islâm, the righteous individuals are expected to be assets and not liabilities to the society, to which they belong, and to humanity as a whole.  In line with the concept of righteousness, Allâh guides us as to how we may attain righteousness.  He tells us:

“By no means shall you attain righteousness unless you give (freely) of that which you love; and whatever you give, of a truth Allâh knows it well.”  (3:92)  

To be righteous, we have to give wholeheartedly of the things that we love.  We should give charitable gifts to others out of our sincere feeling to please Allâh and not because we want people to recognize us.  To give freely of that which we love implies that Allâh enjoins upon the righteous to love one another.  This is in line with His divine attribute as One Who is Full of Loving-kindness (85:14). Allâh bestows love on those who believe and work deeds of righteousness (19:96).  He is the Rabb (Only God, Cherisher and Sustainer) of Grace, Abounding (57:29). He listens to those who believe and do deeds of righteousness and gives them an increase of His Bounty (42:26). He grants the need of every creature (55:29).  His bounties are not closed to any one (17:20).  This is the reason why non-Muslims who desire and work for material prosperity, fame and other worldly needs in this world become wealthy, famous or attain worldly success.  They receive Allâh’s reward for any righteous deed or virtuous act done in this world.  If they desire happiness in this present world and work for it, Allâh grants them their need.  However, their happiness is nothing but temporary.  In the next world to come, they will suffer the eternal and grieve punishments for not worshipping the Only True God and/or accepting the only true Religion before Allâh.  Allâh the Almighty stresses:

“This is the Guidance of Allâh with which He guides whomsoever He wills of His slaves. But if they had joined in worship others with Allâh, all that they used to do would have been of no benefit to them.” (6:88)

“If anyone desires a religion other than Islâm (submission to Allâh), never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good).”  (3:85)

Allâh the Exalted has commanded us who expect to meet Him to worship Him alone and do righteousness (18:110). He has commanded us to serve Him with sincere devotion (39:14).   He makes it very clear that sincere devotion is due to Him alone (39:3).   He further commands us to obey Him and His Messenger r if we want our deeds not to be futile (47:33).  In other words, if we Muslims do all the good deeds solely for Allâh’s Pleasure and we follow the Qur’ân and the Sunnah, the Almighty will reward us, if not in this world, then surely in the Hereafter. Allâh will surely grant us eternal peace, prosperity and happiness in Paradise.  For the salvation of the Non-Muslims and the hypocrites, they must sincerely embrace and practice Islâm based on the Qur’ân and the Sunnah so that whatever good deeds or righteousness they do will be rewarded and not be in vain or futile. Verily, Allâh is ever just to all those who believe and follow Him:

“Allah is never unjust in the least degree.  If there is any good (done), He doubles it, and gives from His Own self a great reward.”  (4:40)

Anas ibn Mâlik t narrated that Allâh’s Messenger r said: “Verily, Allâh does not treat a Believer unjustly in regard to his virtues. He would confer upon him (His blessings) in this world and would give him reward in the Hereafter. And as regards a non-believer, he would be made to taste the reward (of virtue in this world) what he has done for himself so much when it would be the Hereafter, he would find no virtue for which he should be rewarded.” (Muslim 6739)

The Qur’ân mentions more divine injunctions on righteousness for the benefit of mankind.   In Islâm, righteousness covers all virtuous teachings. Examples are truthfulness, equality, justice, and peace. Allâh not only commands the believers to fear Him but to be with those who are truthful. He tells us that the one who does wrong is he who tells a lie concerning Him and rejects the Truth (39:32).  He will reward the people of Truth for their Truth, and punish those who deny it (33:24).   He has prescribed the law of equality to the believer.  Whoever exceeds the limits that Allâh has set shall have a grave chastisement (2:178).  He has ordained for us to observe: “Life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal.”  If anyone remits the retaliation by way of charity, it is an act of atonement for himself (5:45). 

Another excellent Qur’ânic teaching that Allâh enjoins upon us is justice.  Our Creator commands us to render back our trusts to whom they are due and when we judge between man and man, that we judge with justice (4:58).  We are to stand firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allâh, even against ourselves,  our parents, or our kin, whether rich or poor.  Never should we decline to do justice because Allâh knows all that we do (4:135).  He tells us not to depart from justice.  To be just, according to Him, is next to Piety (5:8).  We have to stand firm for justice to orphans (4:127).  We have to give measure and weight with (full) justice.  Whenever we speak, we ought to speak justly, even if a near relative is concerned (6:152).  Though Allâh has permitted a believing man to marry women of his choice, two, three or four,  He  has stipulated justice as a condition.  If the man cannot treat them equally, then, he should marry only one (4:3).  To make justice prevail, Allâh has enjoined the believers to fight against the oppressors (2:193 and 8:39).

Believers are expected to promote peace among them and to the rest of humanity.  To promote peace, Allâh the Exalted commands us to extend and answer greetings of peace to others (4:86). He enjoins us also to establish treaties of peace to those who do not fight us (4:90).  Furthermore, our Creator commands us the following: to fear Him and be with those who are truthful (9:119); to help one another in righteousness and piety and not in sin and rancor (5:2);  to be moderate in our pace and lower our voices (31:19); to show kindness not only to our parents, kin and the orphans but to all those in need;  to speak fair to the people (2:83); to repel (evil) with what is better (41:34); to exercise self-restraint (41:35); to be charitable (2:270,  274); to give zakat (charity) (2:277);  to establish regular prayer, enjoin what is right, and forbid what is wrong and bear with  patient constancy whatever befalls us (31:17). 

Allâh the Most Glorious also commands us to patiently persevere as He shall test us with something of fear, hunger, loss in wealth, lives, and the fruits (of our toil) (2:153 and 155). If (at any time) an incitement to discord is made by Satan, Allâh tells us to seek refuge in Him (41:36).

To maintain peace among mankind, our Rabb forbids: all indecent deeds, evil and rebellion (16:90), transgression (59:19), mischief (28:77), arrogance, selfishness,  niggardliness (4: 36- 37), pride (31:18), ungratefulness (2:276), boasting (4:38), envy (2:109), making oaths to deceive others (16:92), dishonesty (3:161), slandering (68:11), laughing at others, sarcastic attitude,  nor calling others by offensive nicknames, suspicion, spying, or speaking ill of others behind their backs (49:11-12).  In Islâm, to speak maliciously about someone in his absence is an abominable act.  Corollary to this, Allâh has asked us to avoid suspicion as much as possible (49: 12).  If a wicked person tells us something against someone else, we should not immediately accept it as true information.  If a sinner comes to us with any news we have to ascertain the truth in order not to harm people unwittingly (49:6).

Other forbidden acts in Islâm include: indecent deeds, whether open or secret; sins and trespasses against truth or reason;  rebellion (49:7); drinking wine and gambling (2:219 and 5:90-91); usury (2:275-276); extravagance (6:141 and 17:26);  stealing;  adultery and fornication, killing of children; slandering; and forging falsehood (60:12).  Furthermore, He has prohibited the taking of life, which He has made sacred, except by way of justice and law (6:151).  A believer should never kill a believer; but (if it so happens) by mistake, then, compensation is due (4:92).  If a man kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell (4:93).

In order to avoid evil deeds, Allâh commands us to show enmity to Satan, the accursed. Allâh directs us away from evil thoughts and deeds.  He reminds us not to let Satan seduce us to follow his way for he is an avowed enemy to us. Allâh the Exalted admonishes us: 

O you who believe follow not Satan’s footsteps.  If any will follow the footsteps of Satan, he will (but) command what is shameful and wrong.  And were it not for the grace and mercy of Allâh on you, not one of you would ever have been pure.  But Allâh does purify whom He pleases.  And Allâh is One Who hears and knows (all things).  (24: 21)

“Verily Satan is an enemy to you: so treat him as an enemy.  He only invites his adherents, that they may become companions of the Blazing Fire.”   (35: 6)

We have to avoid Satan by all means. Allâh reminds us that Satan makes promises, only to deceive us. Satan only wants us to go astray.  Those who take Satan as a friend will surely dwell in Hell.  Our Creator makes clear to us:

“Satan threatens you with poverty and bids you to conduct unseemly. Allâh promises you His forgiveness and bounties.  And Allâh cares for all and He knows all things.”  (2:268)

“Whoever forsaking Allâh, takes Satan for a friend, has of a surety suffered a loss that is manifest.  Satan makes them promises, and creates in them false desires; but Satan's promises are nothing but deception. They (his dupes) will have their dwelling in Hell, and from it they will find no way of escape.”   (4:119-121)

Allâh is our Guardian Rabb (2:21-22) and Protector (2:257). The following verses in the Qur’ân should enlighten the Non-Muslims and make them realize that Allâh guides us to seek His protection from Satan’s influence:

“If a suggestion from Satan assails your (mind), seek refuge with Allâh; for He hears and knows (all things). Those who fear Allâh, when a thought of evil from Satan assaults them, bring Allâh to remembrance, when verily, they see (aright)!”   (7: 200-201)

Non-Muslims and the hypocrites who do not believe in Islam as the right religion from Allah must ponder upon the many righteous deeds that Islâm has enjoined upon all mankind.  They must accept the Truth that Islam alone is the religion that completely teaches righteousness and forbids evil.  Islam forbids all mankind to refrain and avoid all evil deeds as they are from Satan.  It clearly guides us to fight against Satan and not to let Satan and his followers deceive us. It protects us from committing sins so that we will not dwell in the hell-fire, which Allah has prepared for Satan and those who deny Islâm.  For the guidance and salvation, of the Non-Muslims and the hypocrites, they must not let  Satan enter in  their hearts and minds by denying the virtuous teachings of Islâm.  They must be rational to accept that indeed Islâm is the Right Religion.  It teaches righteousness and forbids evil deeds for the guidance of all mankind.