وَلْتَكُن مِّنكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى ٱلْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ ۚ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ 104
Translations
And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful.
Transliteration
Wa altakun minkum ummun yad'una ila al-khayri wa ya'muruna bi al-ma'rufi wa yanhawna 'an al-munkari wa ulá'ika hum al-muflihun
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah establishes the obligation for the Muslim community to have among its members a group dedicated to calling people to goodness, commanding what is right (ma'ruf), and forbidding what is wrong (munkar). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this refers to the institution of da'wah and commanding good and forbidding evil (al-amr bi al-ma'ruf wa al-nahi 'an al-munkari), which are essential communal obligations (fard kifayah). The ayah concludes that those who fulfill this duty are the truly successful ones in both this life and the hereafter.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in the Medinan period and appears in the context of Surah Ali 'Imran's discussion of the Muslim community's role and responsibilities. It comes after verses discussing the believers' characteristics and serves to define the collective mission of the ummah to be a witness to humanity, establishing the framework for Islamic social and moral reform.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever among you sees an evil act, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart—and that is the weakest of faith' (Sahih Muslim 49). Additionally, 'The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it' (Sahih Bukhari 5027) relates to the concept of calling to goodness.
Themes
Key Lesson
Every Muslim community should cultivate individuals dedicated to promoting goodness and righteousness, recognizing that this is not merely individual piety but a collective social responsibility. True success (falah) in Islam is measured not only by personal righteousness but by active contribution to the moral elevation of society.
Related Ayahs
ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ فِى ٱلسَّرَّآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ وَٱلْكَـٰظِمِينَ ٱلْغَيْظَ وَٱلْعَافِينَ عَنِ ٱلنَّاسِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
Who spend [in the cause of Allāh] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allāh loves the doers of good;
فِيهِ ءَايَـٰتٌۢ بَيِّنَـٰتٌ مَّقَامُ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ ۖ وَمَن دَخَلَهُۥ كَانَ ءَامِنًا ۗ وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ حِجُّ ٱلْبَيْتِ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلًا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَنِىٌّ عَنِ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
In it are clear signs [such as] the standing place of Abraham. And whoever enters it [i.e., the Ḥaram] shall be safe. And [due] to Allāh from the people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find thereto a way. But whoever disbelieves [i.e., refuses] - then indeed, Allāh is free from need of the worlds.
۞ قُلْ أَؤُنَبِّئُكُم بِخَيْرٍ مِّن ذَٰلِكُمْ ۚ لِلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ جَنَّـٰتٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا وَأَزْوَٰجٌ مُّطَهَّرَةٌ وَرِضْوَٰنٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بَصِيرٌۢ بِٱلْعِبَادِ
Say, "Shall I inform you of [something] better than that? For those who fear Allāh will be gardens in the presence of their Lord beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally, and purified spouses and approval from Allāh. And Allāh is Seeing [i.e., aware] of [His] servants -
ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ فَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ ٱلْمُمْتَرِينَ
The truth is from your Lord, so do not be among the doubters.