Regarding this issue Imaam an-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him)

says in his Sharh Saheeh Muslim under the chapter “enjoining the ma’roof and forbidding the munker”: “Know that this chapter - ie the chapter of seen-off a long time ago, and what is left of it nowadays is very few signs.” This chapter is of grave importance; it is the support and basis of the matter. When the evil becomes widespread then the punishment will engulf the good and the bad (people), and if they did not restrain the tyrant, Allah will be about to punish them all:

“And let those who oppose the Messenger’s commandment beware, lest some affliction befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them.” [TMQ 24:63] The need for enjoining the ma’roof and forbidding the munkar is necessary and permanent as long as the need remains for life itself, its security and well being. Indeed, the da’wah is equivalent to all of that. The Prophet has explained the extent of that need and gave an example for it. So he said; “The example of those who maintain Allah’s limits and those who surpassed the limit is like the example of those who share a boat. Some would occupy the lower while others the upper deck.

The occupants of the lower deck would have to go to the upper deck to have access to the water. They said, ‘Why don’t we drill a hole in the lower deck to directly access the water, so as not to cause any inconvenience to those above us?’ If those on the upper deck allowed this to happen, then the entire boat with all the passengers would sink. However if they prevented them from doing so, then all would be saved” [Reported by Bukhari]. This hadith explains how enjoining the ma’roof and forbidding the munkar is equivalent to the life and security of society. Any complacency in undertaking this task has no outcome except that the boat sinks with everyone on it, to the bottom of the sea and everybody would perish and drown.

The Qur’an has expressed the importance of the da’wah and people’s need for it in many ayaat. The words of the Qur’an have not been restricted to the subject of da’wah, but rather they have included many words and meanings all of which revolve around the topic of da’wah, in addition to ahadeeth (traditions) of the Messenger . We mention a few of them here by way of example and not as an exhaustive account.

The Qur’an has expressed the da’wah by the phrase, “enjoining the ma’roof and forbidding the munka.” He said:

“You are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin the ma’roof and forbid the munkar, and you believe in Allah” [TMQ 3:110], and He said:

“And let there arise from amongst you a group inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining the ma’roof and forbidding the munkar. And it is they who are successful.” [TMQ 3:104] The Messenger of Allah said; “By the One in whose Hand lies my soul, you must order the ma’roof and forbid the munkar, or Allah will be about to send a punishment, then you will supplicate to Him and you will not be answered” [Reported by Tirmizi]; and he said, “Whosoever from amongst you sees a munkar let him change it with his hand, if he is not able then let him change it with his tongue, and if he is not able then let him hate it in his heart. And that is the weakest of Imaan” [Reported by Muslim].