Take the Easy, Command the Good — Three Words Governing Society
balagha
Level: advanced
ijaz
blg-029
خُذِ ٱلۡعَفۡوَ وَأۡمُرۡ بِٱلۡعُرۡفِ وَأَعۡرِضۡ عَنِ ٱلۡجَٰهِلِينَ
— الأعراف 199
Verse: "Take the easy way, command what is good, and turn away from the ignorant." (7:199)
Miraculous Quranic brevity: Three imperative sentences summarizing a complete social conduct method for three types of people in three commands.
Al-Jurjani said: If you wanted to detail what this verse contains in ethics you would need an entire book.
Unprecedented comprehensiveness: Three types of people (the cooperative, the needy for advice, the harmful) + three stances — in three commands.
Source: Al-Jurjani, Dala'il; Al-Zarkashi (3/32)
Question: Who are the three types of people each command in the verse addresses?
Answer: "Take the easy": with people in general (accept what they offer). "Command good": with those needing guidance. "Turn away from ignorant": with those who harm.