Conditions of Bai'at and Responsibilities of an Ahmadi — Page 173
Condition X 173 Definition of ‘ Ma‘r u f’ and ‘ Ghair Ma‘r u f ’ Sometimes people move away from the organisation, mislead others, and create problems in their circle by getting caught the tangle of obedience only in ‘ ma‘r u f’ decisions and good commands. They should understand not to delve into the definition of ‘ ma‘r u f ’ and ‘ ghair ma‘r u f ’ decisions on their own accord. Hadrat Khalifatul Masih I ra explaining this states: There is one more error and that is in understanding of the ‘obedience in good things’ that we will not obey in those matters that we think are not ‘good’. This word has also come with reference to the Holy Prophet sa. 93 Have these people made a list of faults of the Holy Prophet sa also? Similarly, Hadrat Sahib has written ‘obedi- ence in good things’ in his conditions of bai‘at. There is wisdom in it. I do not doubt anyone of you at all. I have explained these things lest anyone of you be deceived subtly. ( Khu t ab a t-e-N u r , pp. 420–421) The Promised Messiah as expounding on the subject of ‘enjoins them to do good’ writes: This Prophet directs you in matters that are not opposed to sane reason. And he prohibits you from things that common sense also prohibits you from. And he makes pure things lawful and impure things unlawful. And he removes the burdens from the nations that they were buried under. And he 93. ( al-Mumta h inah , 60:13)