The art of naseehah (advices)‏

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Asalaam Wa Alykum Wa Rahmat Allah Hi Wa Barakat


Everyone likes giving advices or proving others wrong. It’s human nature. No one wants to be embarrassed by others. However, Islam lays down some boundaries for the advisor (which sadly I’ve only seen a handful follow). Everyone can debate or give advices. But not all are heard. The seeker of advice or the one whom you are having a debate with, will most likely listen to you if you follow these conditions laid down by Islam. Otherwise, they will pay no heed to your words. Being Muslims, we should follow these guidelines more strictly when we are debating with a non Muslim.


The Prophet (PBUH) said: “If one man were to be guided at your hands, that will be better for you than red camels [i.e., the best kind].” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, no. 6).

The above Hadith outlines the sawab one gets if s/he is able to guide someone to the truth. It can be really tempting for a Muslim to argue with people of different faith because they know Islam really is the true religion and they are convinced about it. But keep in mind, debating with a non Muslim is not easy, especially when you have less information. It is the first condition before giving naseehah that you should have enough information about your religion yourself. If not then do not argue/preach. This will only make you confused by the questions thrown towards you. If you do have vast knowledge then make sure your intentions are set correct. It is necessary that a person has the intention of seeking the pleasure of Allah when giving naseehah. Only such an intention deserves reward from Allah and acceptance from His slaves. Once these two conditions are met then give naseehah in a way so as not to insult or mock them, for Allah says in the Quran:

“And argue not with the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), unless it be in (a way) that is better (with good words and in good manner, inviting them to Islamic Monotheism with His Verses), except with such of them as do wrong; and say (to them): ‘We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you; our Ilaah (God) and your Ilaah (God) is One (i.e. Allah), and to Him we have submitted (as Muslims)’” [al-‘Ankaboot 29:46---interpretation of the meaning] 

Shaykh Ibn Sa’di (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in his Tafseer: Here Allah is forbidding arguing with the People of the Book, if it is done with no knowledge of argument or with no appropriate basis, and He says that we should not argue with them except in a way that is better, with a good attitude, kindness and gentle speech, calling to the truth and making it attractive, and refuting falsehood and making it unattractive, in the most effective manner. The purpose behind it should not simply be to debate and argue, and loving to win, rather the purpose should be to demonstrate the truth and guide people.

Below are some points that you should keep in mind while giving naseehah to anyone, not just the non Muslim.

1) You have to be gentle in the way you advise them, for the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Allah is Kind and loves kindness, and He confers upon kindness that which he does not confer upon severity and does not confer upon anything else besides it (kindness).” (Narrated by Muslim, 2593). 

2) Answer their questions calmly. It can get really frustrating but do not loose your patience. What is obvious for you may not be obvious for them.

3) Arguing is kept at a level of friendly debate rather than fighting. 

4) Do not slander the one being advised. Taunting them regularly by saying “you will be burned and you are soo ignorant” will do no good.

5) Do not compel others to follow one's Naseehah. It is wajib (obligatory) on the advisor to render sincere advice to others, but it is not his right to compel others to follow his advice as well. That is the right of the Muslim ruler upon his subjects or a Muslim Qadhi (Judge) in his jurisdiction. A sincere advisor is one who guides toward goodness, but he is not to command others to act upon it. Giving naseehah means to give your sincere opinion. It does not mean to tell what to do and then force the seeker of advice to do it!

6) The one giving naseehah must choose the right time to give his advice, since a person is not always ready to receive naseehah. A person may be angry about something, upset about not getting what he wanted, grieved for something he may have lost, or there may be some other reason that might prevent him from responding to the naseehah. There is a time and a place for everything. The Friday sermon happens once a week. If the imams start giving speeches before every Zhur Salaah, people will be bored and loose interest. Sometimes the person just wants someone to talk to rather than someone to get advice from.

Abdul Hamid Bilali writes, "Choosing proper time and place is one of the greatest causes for the acceptance of naseehah and eradicating evil", and as Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud said, "Hearts (sometimes) yearn and are attentive, but (sometimes) they go through lapses and feed repulsion. So take from them when they are (in a state of) yearning and are attentive, and leave them alone when they go through lapses and are feeling repulsion"

7) Because the followers of the Prophets are people of knowledge and justice, when the followers of Islam and the Sunnah speak with the kuffaar and followers of bid’ah, they speak with knowledge and justice, not with speculation and whims.

8) Beware of telling the person to do something then being the first one to go against that, or of telling him/her not to do something then being the first one to do it, for this will stop him/her from accepting your advice.

9) Provide Analogies. Sometimes what you need is a good example of why your particular line of thinking is best.

Tip: You know, you can get bonus point for quoting the Quran or Hadith. This way you'll be invoking Allah in support of your argument, so people are more likely to agree with you at the risk of angering Allah. But do not tailor the interpretation to suit your need, thats a sin!

The Prophet (PBUH) wrote various letters to many kings of that time, calling them to Islam. Due to space, I’ll analyse just one letter that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) wrote to Negus, king of Abyssinia (Ethiopia).

Note: click on the last link in the Reference section to view the letters  

The content of the letter was light, simple and clear yet its effects were heavy and lingered long after. The Prophet (PBUH) did not insult the king’s religion, rather told him what Islam believes about the matter. The sign of forcefulness cannot be found anywhere in the letter. The Prophet (PBUH) did not go “if you do not accept Islam then you shall die and rot in hell”. Rather he (PBUH) started off with praising Allah, told the king what the Quran said about Jesus and then ended the letter with peace. He (PBUH) did not compel the king to follow Islam because there is no compulsion in religion.

The king in response accepted Islam after being impressed by the Prophet’s (PBUH) way of communicating efficiently and elegantly.

I hope the next time anyone of us talks to people of other faiths; s/he keeps these points in mind. However, the most important point is for us to gain more knowledge before being involved in debates. Otherwise its just like shooting arrows aimlessly in the sky.

 





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Wa-alykum Assalaam Wa Rahmat Allah Hi Wa Barakat!