An Analysis of the Evidences for the Inclusion of Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil regarding Physical Confrontation: A Critical Approach to Article 4 of the Law for the Protection of Enjoiners of Good and Forbidders of Evil

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Fatemeh Nazari ¹

Ali Saeli ²

¹ Graduate Seminary Student (Level 4), Department of Jurisprudence and Principles (uṣūl), Jāmiʿat al-Zahrā (s), Qom, Iran

² Assistant Professor, Department of Jurisprudence and Principles (uṣūl), Jāmiʿat al-Muṣṭafā (s) al-ʿĀlamiyya, Qom, Iran

10.22067/jfiqh.2025.89867.1837

Abstract

The duty of enjoining good and forbidding evil consists of several stages (marātib), one of which is practical action and physical confrontation. There is disagreement among jurists regarding whether the scope of enjoining good and forbidding evil includes this stage. The majority view holds that it does. Conversely, Article 4 of the Law for the Protection of Enjoiners of Good and Forbidders of Evil explicitly states that enjoining good and forbidding evil includes stages involving the heart, the tongue, writing, and practical action. This Article removes the latter stage from the responsibility of the public and designates it as a duty of the state. By examining the mainstream view and its evidences, as well as the documentation of the non-mainstream view, this research proves that practical action does not constitute one of the stages of enjoining good and forbidding evil. Instead, state actions in this regard are categorized as a sovereign duty rather than enjoining good and forbidding evil. The findings of this research indicate that the aforementioned legal article is prone to flaws and necessitates the imposition of an additional sustenance (ma'ūna) upon the state. Therefore, those in charge of the matter should strive to amend this article of the law.

Keywords

levels of enjoining good and forbidding

practical action

Article 4 of the Law for the Protection of Enjoiners of Good and Forbidders of Evil

the mainstream view of jurists

Subjects

• Civil jurisprudence

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