Introduction to System of Islam by Jalal Ansari

Allah (swt) commands in surah al-Imran:

“There should be from among you an Ummah (band(s) of people) inviting to the good (khayr), commanding what is right (ma‘ruf) and forbidding what is wrong (munkar). Those are they who are the successful.” [TMQ 3:104].

The word Ummah in this ayah does not refer to the global body of Muslims most commonly used but a political movement. Imam Qurtubi in his book, ‘Tafseer Ahkam al-Qur’an’ defined the word Ummah in this verse as a group or band or party, as the verse states ‘min kum’ (among you) and the group is from amongst the total Ummah. The requirement is a fard of sufficiency as there should always be such a group, or groups as the verse states ‘Those are they who are successful’ and does not refer to the group in the singular. The functioning of the group must be for the same purpose as Muhammad’s (saw) companions with the same intention and with the same approach, i.e. to invite to Islam comprehensively (call to al-khayr), and aiming to look after the affairs of the people, which is the meaning of politics. Imam Fairuz al- Abadi said that looking after the affairs of the citizens means ordering and forbidding them (commanding ma‘ruf and forbidding munkar). Therefore the group(s) must be political in nature.