Advise with sincerity and kindness

The one who invites others to Allaah is from the closest people to
Allaah our Lord. In addition, Muslims collectively agree on the
importance of propagating Islam and inviting people to Allaah, and
many talk about it being mandatory upon Muslims, and we agree with
them, that it is an obligation, to enjoy that which is good and forbid
that which is eviland to spread chastity and fight immorality and
educate people and remind them and advise them.
Therefore, there is no doubt that one who invites to Allaah is a
chosen one, and form the best of his creatures. He loved Allaah,
responded to Him and invited to Him so in return Allaah loved him.That
is why Allaah Says in a short statement and made it very clear (what
means): "And who is betterin speech then he who invites to Allaah,
meaning, Islamic monotheism and does righteous deeds and says; `I am
one of the Muslims`" [Quran 41:33].
Al-Hasan Al-Basari, may Allaah have mercy uopon him, said afterhe has
recited the abovementioned verse: "This is the beloved one to Allaah,
this is the Waly of Allaah, meaning supported and loved by Allaah.
This is the chosen one by Allaah, this is the best of preachers to
Allaah this is the most dear from the dwellers of earth to Allaah. He
responded to Allaah and calledpeople to Allaah and acted righteously
while responding andcalling and said "I am from the Muslims""
To attain the level of this rank, it is necessary for the Muslim
missionary or propagator who is seeking the reward from Allaah to be
mindful of the following issues in order for the mission to be
fruitful:
1) Being sincere in the objective and intention: Sincerity is the
foremost of all deeds and certainly the most important of them all; it
is the foundation for all other deeds; it is the essence of Islaam and
the one of the principal matters that the prophets called their people
to. Allaah Says (what means): "And they [i.e. the People of the
Scripture] were not commanded except to worship Allaah, [being]
sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish
prayer and to give Zakaah. And that is the correct religion." [Quran
98:5]
Sincerity is the essence of worship; Imaam Ibn Hazm said: "The
relationship between sincerity and deeds is like that between the soul
and the body."
Sincerity is the basis upon which deeds are either accepted or
rejected, and thus it is the cause of one's ultimate success or
failure. Sincerity is the way leading to Hell for those who do not
fulfil it and the path to Paradise for those who can attainit.
Those who fulfil Islaamic monotheism are also referred to as the
sincere, and its Islaamic definition is as Imaam Ibn Al-Qayyim said:
"…To have only (the pleasure of) Allaah in one's intention whilst
performing acts of obedience."
The Prophet said: "Deeds are but with intentions." This is one of the
most important prophetic narrations from amongst all that the Prophet
taught us.
On the other hand, those who perform deeds in order to be seen by
others are dispraised by Allaah and are promised punishment, as Allaah
Says (whatmeans): "Whoever desires the lifeof this world and its
adornments – We fully repay them for their deeds therein, and they
therein will not be deprived. Those are the ones for whom there is not
inthe Hereafter but the Fire." [Quran 11:15-16]
Therefore, the Muslim propagatoror missionary does not call to gain a
personal benefit for himself, his people, his tribe or group.
Otherwise he will have no reward.
2) Being kind whilst calling people: Using the proper means leading to
the acheivement of theobjective is achieved by one following the way
of the Prophet . Alaah addresses the Prophet Saying (what means):
"Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair preaching and
argue with them in a way that is better". [Quran 16:125]. Some of the
people who are invited to theway of Allaah are good in nature, if they
recognize the truth they stick to it. They are thirsty and eager, and
as soon as one showsthem the truth, they hasten to it .Such a person
is to be invited with wisdom.
Regarding the method of calling people, Allaah Says in the above verse
(which means): " Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good
instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best…" [Quran
16:125] Thus, one should not be aggressive and harsh in the way he
calls people to Islam; rather he should use words that would soften
their hearts, so that they would yield to his instructions and pay
heed to his words. Allaahcommands us to be this way, even with the
disbelievers, when He says (what means): " And do not argue with the
People of the Scripture except in a way that is best, except for those
who commit injustice among them…" [Quran 29: 46]
In our era, such wisdom, soft words and kindness when callingto the
path of Allaah are especially important. This is of course required in
all situations, but in a period in which ignorance and submitting to
desires has overwhelmed the masses, it becomes all the more essential.
Once, a scholar entered into the presence of an 'Abbaasi caliph and
said: "I am going to admonish you in a harsh manner,so listen." Upon
hearing this, the caliph said: "O brother! Be gentle,for I am not
worse than Pharaoh,and you are not better than Moosaa whom Allaah
addressed along with his brother, Haaroon, Saying (what means): "And
speak to him [i.e., Pharaoh] with gentle speech that perhaps he may be
reminded or fear [Allaah]."" [Quran 20: 44]
Furthermore, the Prophet said: "He who is deprived of gentleness and
forbearance is deprived from a great deal of goodness." `Aa'ishah
reported that the Prophet said: "Whenever forbearance is added to
something, it adorns it; and whenever it is withdrawn from something,
it leaves it defective." [Muslim]. - - ▓███▓ Translator:->
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