al-Amr is interpreted in two senses:
1. With the phrase al-amr bi-l-maʿrūf (commanding right), it means to command tawhid (the oneness of God) / to command with tawhid; and with the phrase al-nahy ʿani-l-munkar (forbidding wrong), it means to forbid shirk (associating partners with God); as in the following verses:
You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin al-maʿrūf (that is, tawhid / the oneness of Allah), and forbid al-munkar (that is, shirk). (Āl ʿImrān 3:110)
Those who repent, worship [Allah]... enjoin al-maʿrūf (that is, tawhid), and forbid al-munkar (that is, shirk)... (al-Tawba 9:112)
(Luqman advised his son:) "O my son! Establish the prayer, enjoin al-maʿrūf (that is, tawhid), and forbid al-munkar (that is, shirk)!" (Luqmān 31:17)
2. al-Amr bi-l-maʿrūf in some verses means to follow and affirm the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family); while al-munkar means to deny or reject him; as in the following verses:
[The People of the Torah] are not all alike. Among the People of the Book... they enjoin al-maʿrūf (that is, faith in Muhammad), and forbid al-munkar (that is, denying or rejecting Muhammad)... (Āl ʿImrān 3:113-114)
The believing men and believing women are allies of one another; they enjoin al-maʿrūf (that is, faith in Muhammad), and forbid al-munkar (that is, denying or rejecting Muhammad). (al-Tawba 9:71)