"You are the best of peoples ever raised for mankind; you enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, and you believe in Allah". [al-A'raf (7) : 157]
"The believers, men and women, are awliyyaa' (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another: they enjoin good and forbid evil". [at-Taubah (9) : 67]
Mujahid said, "Being the best of all peoples is conditional in the characteristics mentioned in the verse."
Al-Qurtubi said, "You are the best of peoples only if you enjoin good and forbid evil."
Therefore, this compliment of our Ummah depends on whether we enjoy these two characteristics. If we do not, we will no longer be worthy of this praise. Indeed, we will deserve chastisement and be doomed for destruction.
Imam an-Nawawee said, "You should know that this issue, the enjoining good and forbidding evil, has mostly been neglected over a long period of time. What remains of it today is but a few traces, all despite the fact that it is an important issue which lies at the heart of all affairs."
Call unto the way of thy Lord with wisdom and fair exhortation, and reason with them in the better way… (Qur’an, 16:125);
Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah, works righteousness, and says, "I am of those who bow in Islam"? (Qur’an, 41:33);
Say thou: "This is my way: I do invite unto Allah, - on evidence clear as the seeing with one's eyes, - I and whoever follows me… (Qur’an, 12:108);
And remind for reminding truly benefits believers. (Qur’an, 51:55);
And those who believed and emigrated and strove for the way of God, and those who provided refuge and assisted - those are the true believers, and for them is forgiveness and a generous provision. (Qur’an, 8:74);
Those who believe, and have emigrated, and have struggled in the way of God with their possessions and their lives are greater in degree with God; and those, they are the triumphant. Their Lord gives them good tidings of mercy from Him and beatitude; for them shall be gardens wherein is enduring bliss, therein they shall abide forever. Surely with God is a tremendous reward. (Qur’an, 9:20-22);
But as for those who struggle for Our sake, We shall assuredly guide them in Our ways, and truly God is with the virtuous. (Qur’an, 29:69);
The [true] believers are only those who believe in God and His Messenger, and then have not doubted, and who strive with their wealth and their souls for the cause of God. It is they who are sincere. (Qur’an, 49:15);
and: O you who believe, shall I show you a commerce that will deliver you from a painful chastisement? You should believe in God and His Messenger and struggle for the cause of God with your possessions and your lives. That is better for you, should you know. He will [then] forgive you your sins and admit you into gardens underneath which rivers flow and pleasant dwellings in the Gardens of Eden. That is the supreme triumph. (Qur’an, 61:10-12)