Agents for the Preservation of Virtue and Elimination of Vice
When we were in prison, many people embraced Islam, all praise is due to Allah. They used to say, “The whole compound became Muslim because of the Jibrils.” They were referring to me and Ahmad.
I spent my days in prison teaching. Every morning, I would go out to the track and announce, “If you want to learn, follow me. If you’re just here to waste time, I don’t want to see you.” And they would come, ready to learn.
Anyone who teaches people about Islam represents the Prophet (ﷺ), this is what it means to be a deputy of the Prophet (ﷺ).
Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:
“Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ ‘This is my way. I invite to Allah with insight — I and those who follow me…’” (Surat Yusuf: 108)
The most important thing to teach, is ‘Aqeedah. Lā ‘Ilāha ‘Illa Allah, there is no god worthy of worship except Allah alone. Negation, then affirmation.
Whenever people would change, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) would send a Prophet with a new message, abrogating what came before. Despite their different times and communities, all 124,000 Prophets, and 314 Messengers (عليهم الصلاة والسلام), were sent with one purpose:
And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], "Worship Allah and avoid Taghut." (Surat An-Nahl: 36)
This is our way, and we strive to make it everyone’s way. Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:
“You are the best nation raised for mankind — you enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong…” (Surat Aal ’Imran: 110)
To enjoin good and forbid evil is to preserve the moral compass of society. Every Muslim should aspire to this, even if not everyone takes on the responsibility.
Abu Umama al-Bahili said that:
Two men, one learned and the other devout, were mentioned to God’s messenger, who then said, “The superiority of the learned man over the devout man is like mine over the most contemptible among you,” adding, “God, His angels, the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth, even the ant in its hole and even the fish invoke blessings on him who teaches men what is good.”
(Mishkat al-Masabih 213, 214)
- Shaykh Musa Jibril (حفظه الله تعالى)
