In the Name of Allāh.
Giving Naṣīḥah (sincere advice) is a hallmark of true Muslims. Enjoining good and forbidding evil are not fruitless efforts, but a powerful tool to combat the ills that plague our society. Today, we see the devastating consequences of abandoning Naṣīḥah – from rampant acts of Shirk (associating partners with Allāh) to corruption, injustice, and other moral decay.
How did we get here? “I don’t want to be lashed by anyone,” “I have my shortcomings too, why should I care?” or “I don’t want to be tagged an extremist.” These are some of the flimsy excuses we now give. Some of us act out of line, yet they have their backs patted. “A banana is rotting away, while people are in delusion that it is ripening.” What a pity!
Dear sincere brethren! The blame of the blamers should not prevent you from appropriately giving Naṣīḥah, both privately and publicly, because doing so isn’t just a duty, but also a means of earning Allāh’s Pleasure and a path to success in this life and the Hereafter.
Allāh says: “Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islām), enjoining Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islāmic Monotheism and all that Islām orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islām has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful.” [Sūrah Al-‘Imrān (3): 104]
I beseech Allāh to guide us all to the path of righteousness and help us become true beacons of Naṣīḥah in our communities. Aameen.
Picture Credit: Gettyimage
