Surah Al-Maidah — Verse 79

Word Meanings:

• لَا يَتَنَاهَوْنَ — They did not forbid one another; they did not restrain each other.
• مُنكَرٍ — An evil deed, a wrongdoing, or a sin that is clearly rejected by sound nature and divine law.
• فَعَلُوهُ — Which they committed or perpetrated.
• لَبِئْسَ — How terrible, how evil (an expression of severe condemnation).

Explanation of the Verse:

This verse describes a grave moral failure among the Children of Israel: when they committed evil deeds, they did not admonish one another or try to stop each other. Instead, they allowed wrongdoing to spread openly, with no one raising a voice of objection or guidance. The sinners among them committed their transgressions publicly, and the righteous among them remained silent, failing to enjoin good and forbid evil. This silence was not a minor shortcoming—it was a catastrophic collapse of social responsibility and religious duty.

The verse condemns this behavior in the strongest terms: "How evil was what they used to do!" This is not merely a statement of fact but a divine rebuke, highlighting that their abandonment of mutual correction was itself a major sin that invited Allah's wrath and expulsion from His mercy. By neglecting this duty, they became complicit in the sins of others, and the entire community suffered the consequences.

A Da'wah Reflection for the Believer:

Dear Muslim, this verse carries a timeless lesson for every community that wishes to remain under Allah's protection. When evil becomes widespread and no one speaks against it, the whole society drifts away from divine guidance. Islam teaches us that we are our brothers' keepers—not in a way that intrudes or humiliates, but with wisdom, kindness, and sincere concern for one another's salvation. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; if he cannot, then with his tongue; if he cannot, then with his heart—and that is the weakest of faith."

Do not be silent when you see wrongdoing, for silence can be a form of approval. Speak the truth with gentleness, advise with love, and pray for those who err. By doing so, you protect your community, earn Allah's pleasure, and follow the path of the prophets and the righteous. Let us not be like those who were condemned for their negligence, but rather be among those who strive for reform and mercy. May Allah make us from those who enjoin good and forbid evil with wisdom and compassion, and may He forgive our shortcomings.