The PROPHET (PEACE BE UPON HIM) is Haazir o Naazir - Present and Witnessing

Haazir O Naazir - Present and Witnessing
According to the Holy Quran every thing has todie as Allah almighty says:
"Every soul is to taste thedeath" (Sura Al-Imran)Like this prophets of
Allah almighty were also passed through the process of death. They
were given death but it was for a very short time. And at the same
time they were brought to life as same as before.
Now all of the prophets (Alaihis salam) of Allah almighty are alive.
Allama Baihaqi (Rahmatullah Alaih) has collected a number of
narrations in the proof of the life of the prophets (Alaihis salam)
after death.
Such as Allama Jalaluddieen Sayuti (Rahmatullah Alaih) also written a
book on this topic and there are so many scholars of ummahwho have
written very much about this topic. Now I prove it from the Quran and
Hadith. Allah Almighty says:
"And say not those who are killed in the path of Allah as dead, but
they are alive yes, you are unaware." (Sura Al Baqara, Verse 154)
According to the Holy Quran pious people are of four categories. The
Prophets (Alaihis Salam) are of the highest grade and then comes the
number of truthful and then martyrs and righteous people stands fourth
in grade. And all four kinds are blessed according to their grades. As
the Holy Quran says: "Those who have been blessed by Allah viz., the
Prophets, and the truthful, and martyrs and righteous." (Sura Al Nisa,
Verse 69)
According to the generalpractice of the people we see that an officer
of grade "B" is provided all facilities which is provided to the
officer of grade "C". But the officer of B grade is given more than
the officer of C grade. Like this is the case of the officer of grade
"A". He is not only provided all the facilities of the officer of
grade B but also more than that of"B" grade. Now we believe that a
martyr gets the life after death by practicing the teachings of his
Prophet (Alaihis Salam) although he comes in third grade of the pious
peoples, so what is about the position of the Prophet (Alaihis Salam)
who is highest of all in his grade. Surely He is the most deserve able
of all others to be alive after death. It is a logical proof.
Secondly the Prophet of Allah almighty is a martyr because he died due
to the eating of piousness food. As Imam Bukhari and Baihaqi
(Rahmatullah Alaih) narrated by Aiysha (Allahalmighty is well pleased
with her) that the Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace be upon Him)
said in his mortal disease, " I always felt the pain of food which I
ate in Khaibar, now that poison is killing me." (Al Havi Lilfatawa.
Printed from Bairut. Vol. 2, P 149)
So the Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace beupon Him) is also alive
according to the Quranicverse.
Proof of the life of Prophets (Alaihis Salam) after death by
narrations of the Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon Him)
1) Qazi Shaukani writes that the Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace & Peace
beUpon Him) in saheeh hadith that the Prophets (Alaihis Salam) of
Allah almighty are alive in their shrines. And Baihaqi (Rahmatullah
Alaih) has rectified it andwrote a book on this topic.
(Nail-ul-Qwatar. Vol.5, Page 108)
Abu Darda (Radi Allaho Unho) narrates that the prophet of Allah
said,"Send salutation (Durood) upon me againan again on Friday.
Because these salutation(Durood) are observed by angles. No one sends
salutation but it is presented to me before his getting free from
salutations". I asked him,"What is about after death?" He (Allah's
Grace& Peace be Upon Him) said "Allah almighty has made unlawful upon
earth to spoil prophet's bodies and the Prophet of Allah is alived and
he is given food." (Sunnan-e- Ibne Maja, Printed Noor Muhammad, P 118)
There are so many narrations which are found in proof of the lifeof
Prophets (alaihis salam) after death, thosecan't be written this is
why I stop my pen at thisbecause it is enough for a reasonable man.
What does the Holy Quran say ?
Before we quote the Holy Quran let us define and understand the
terminology of this subject matter. The terms used for the
omnipresence are"Haazir" and"Naazir"and these terms need to be
clarified and understood from the outset.
The meaning of Haazir and Naazir is explained below:
HAAZIR-To be present (physically or spiritually, i.e. in being)
NAAZIR-To see or behold with ones own eyes (from near or afar)
Note very carefully, that to be truly present and seeing one must be
'Aware' and 'Understand'what one sees.
To illustrate, a person named Zaid is in his home watching the live
Jum'a broadcast from Mecca. Then it follows that Zaid is Haazir
(physically), at his home, and Zaid is Naazir (seeing events) in his
home and in Mecca. NowZaid saw with his own eyes the Imaam lead the
Jum'a prayer in Mecca, although Zaid was sitting in
London.
Added to the fact that, while sitting in London Zaid observed the
eventsin Mecca, Zaid needs twomore abilities to becomea WITNESS to
this event, i.e. Zaid must be AWARE of what he sees & hears, as well
as UNDERSTAND the event fully. Therefore, when Zaid satisfies the
conditions of being present and seeing,together with theability to
comprehend the event in front of him, Zaid may be called upon as a
WITNESS to that event.
Now, it would follow that, if Zaid were blind or deaf, Zaid could not
be called upon as a reliable witness, since Zaid does not fulfill all
the requirements of being are liable witness. Therefore, a WITNESS is
someone who is HAAZIR& NAAZIR at an event andfully understands the
event. Be it that the witness was at the eventphysically or was able
to observe the event LIVE from afar spiritually or in the case of Zaid
electronically!
It must also be apparent that one cannot be NAAZIR without being
HAAZIR, the two abilities go hand in hand.
This is a very important point to understand. Now, bearing in mind the
definition of HAAZIR& NAAZIR together with the definition of being
aWITNESS to an event, payfull attention to what the Holy Quran says
about the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam).
1) " 'O' Nabi (communicator of the unseen) we have sent you as a
witness." (S33 V45)
2) "Then how shall it be, when We bring up a witness from each nation
(of each Prophet)and 'O' beloved
Messenger We will bring you as a witness and guardian against all
those." (S4 V41)
Observe that the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) is
beingcalled a WITNESS to all the nations that Allah has put upon this
Earth. Therefore, the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) must
have been present before his Earthly appearance and is still present
after this Earthly demise, otherwise he cannot be called upon asa
witness in the true sense of the word. Thereare many other verses
ofthe Holy Quran that call upon the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi
Wasallam)to be a witness. And a witness can only be someone who is
Haazir & Naazir.
A Technical Point
The following Quranic verses are often quoted to show that the Holy
Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) was notpresent and seeing
before his Earthly appearance :
"And you ('O' Prophet) were not with them (present) when they
casttheir pens(to decide) which of them should be
Mary's guardian." (S3 v44)
"The Prophet was not present when Musa was called upon Tur" (S28 V46)
Yes, the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) was notpresent
(physically speaking) at these events, but this is not to say that he
was not seeing (Naazir) these events. On the contrary, he must have
been seeing these events, otherwise how can he be a witness to all the
events as mentioned in the previous Quranic Verses. And since he was
seeing (NAAZIR) he must have been present(HAAZIR), be it spiritually
and from afar.
Read the following verses of the Holy Quran:
3)" ('O' Prophet) Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with the
owners of the Elephant." (S105 V1)
This event took place many days before the birth of the Holy
Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam).
4)" ('O' Prophet) Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with (the
people) of Aad. " (S89 V9)
Now the people of Aad lived many centuries before the advent of the
Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) on this Earth.
So, how could the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) 'SEE'
these events? Allah only knows how, but, since it is clear from the
verses of the Holy Quran,that the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi
Wasallam) did SEE these events, then you must admit that the Holy
Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) was present and seeing (HAAZIR
& NAAZIR) at these events. Furthermore, the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu
Alaihi Wasallam) witnessed these events before his Earthly advent.
Note that Allah did not say, "have you not HEARD..." or "have you not
been TOLD..". No, Allah says to the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi
Wasallam) "did you not SEE"!
Please apply a little common sense. Is there not a difference between
seeing an event and being told about an event.
Mu'adh(RA)reports that the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam)
said, "I saw Allah. He put His hand between my shoulders. I felt the
coolness of His hand in my breast which enlightened me about
everything. And I recognized Him." (Tirmidhi Sharif)
Even a lifetime would not be enough to contemplate on this Hadith, if
only Allah would open our minds to contemplation and understanding.
Sayyidina Umar (RA), states "In one Friday sermon, the Holy Prophet
(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) informed us about everything which has
happened or will happen from the very beginning of time until the
Hereafter when some will inhabit Paradise while the others Hell."
(Bukhari Sharif)
Is it not clear, that the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam)
isa witness to all that has happened and will happen!
Ibn Abbas (RA) reports that the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi
Wasallam) said, "I know everything which is in the Heavens and
theEarth, from the East to the West."(Tirmidhi Sharif)
How can the Holy Prophet(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) know everything
in the Heavens and the Earth and their constant changing conditions,
without beholding the conditions of the Heavens and the Earth
continuously !
The Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) had elevated some of
hiscompanions to such a state of being, that even those selected
companions were ever seeing the Heavens and the Earth.
Imaam Al Azam, Imaam Abu Hanifa writes that Haaris Ibn La'man and
Haarisa bin Na'man havestated, "Once I went to the Holy Prophet
(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam). The Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi
Wasallam) asked me a question, 'O Haaris in what state did you pass
the day?' I replied 'as a true Muslim'. Then the Holy Prophet(Sallal
Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) asked me the state of my faith.
I replied 'I see the Throne of Allah and the people of Paradise
helping each other and the people of Hell lamenting in Hell. I see
infront of me Eight Heavens and Seven Hells as clear as idol
worshippers see their Idols. I can recognize each individual just like
a miller can recognize Wheat from Barley, evenwho is to go to Paradise
and who is to be found in Hell. In front of me people are like fish
and ants. Shall I stay silent or continue to speak?'

The PROPHET (PEACE BE UPON HIM) is ALLAH'S NOOR

Why The Prophet peace be upon him cannot be Allah's Noor?
Dr.Zubair Fattani
dr_fattani@hotmail.com
Allah's noor can never beparted in any case. If some one believes that
he sallallahu alaihi wasallam was a part of Allah's noor he is really
amushrik. However he sallallahu alaihi wasallam was from the noor
Allah Almighty in such a way that no part of Allah's noor
separatedfrom the noor of Allah Almighty. It can be understood by an
example that if we put a mirror in the direction of Sun so its
reflection will appear in the mirrorand no part of the sun will
separate from it or itcan be understand by the example that if we
kindle a lamp by anotherburning lamp likewise if we kindle hundreds of
lamps no light decreases from the first lamp but the all other lamps
also be kindled. Likewise wasthe example of our beloved Prophet
sallallahu alaihi wasallam, when the eternal noor of Allah Taala came
on the mirror of edam (nothing) the first creation which came into
being was our holy Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam in a manner no
light separated from the eternal light of Allah Almighty.
Here I write down some proofs that our Holy Prophet sallallahu alaihi
wasallam was not only a bashar but he was a noor too. These examples
have been written in order to makeit easy to understand otherwise
Allah Almightyis beyond the examples.
Hazrat Ibn-e-Abbas (Allahis well pleased with him)cousin of the holly
prophet (Allah's Grace and Peace be upon Him) says in the commentary
of the verse 35 from chapter 24: Sura Noor."The similitude of the Noor
(Light) of Allah is Noor (light) of the Holy Prophet (Allah's Grace
and Peace be upon Him),when he was in the backs of ancestors".
(Tafseer-e-Ibne Abbas page 372)
Now I am giving you the names of the books in which this hadith has
been narrated. Allama Ibne Hagar hatiami wrote in his book that the
hadith,"Undoubtedly Allah Almighty created the"Noor of Prophet
Muhammad (Allah's grace and Peace be upon Him) before every thing",
has been narrated by Imam Abdur Razzaq in his book of hadith (Fatawa
-e- Hadithia, page 289) There are many other great ulmas who have
narrated this hadith in their books , I am writing for you the names
of few books with their writers
1. Allama Hassan -bin- Muhammad Diyar Becri,"Tarekh -ul- Khamees".
2. Shah Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dehlvi,"Madarig-un-Nabuwwah" Vol 2, page 2
3. Allama Zarqani,"Sherha Movahib", vol. 1,page 55
4. Allama Abdul Ghani, " Al Hadiqa tul Ndiyah", Vol. 2, page 375

The Excellence of Reciting the Durood Sharif

A. THE EXCELLENCE OF DUROOD SHAREEF FOR THE UMMAH AS EXPLAINED IN THE
HOLY QURAN AND AHADITH
This book contains valuable information about Durood Shareef (Salawat)
on Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim).
The message of Allah Ta'ala to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu
Alaihi Wasallim) has come down to us in the form of the Holy Quran and
the teachings of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim)
have reached us in the form of the Ahadith. Let us see what both the
Holy Quran and Ahadith say about Durood Shareef (Salawat):
Innal llaha wa Malaa'ikatahu Yu sallunaallan nabiyi.
Ya Ayyuhal lazeena aamanu sallu alaihi wasallimu tasleema.
Almighty Allah says:"Surely Allah and His Angels send blessings on the
Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim). Oyou who believe! Send
Blessings (Durood) and Salutations (Salaams) on the Prophet with
worthySalutation".(Surah al-Ahzab: 56)
In this verse of the Holy Quran, Almighty Allah, His Malaa'ikah and
the Muslims have been mentioned as sending Durood upon Sayyiduna
Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim). So, Durood Shareef is
actually "a Du'a in praiseof the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallal
LaahuAlaihi Wasallim)."
Hazrat Anas (radi Allahu anhu) narrates that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah
(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) said: "He who reads a single Durood
upon me, Almighty Allah blesses him ten times, ten of his sins are
forgiven, and he is increased ten times in stages (internally).
(Mishkaat)
Hazrat Abdullah ibn Ma'sud (radi Allahu anhu) also narrates that
Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) said: "On the Day
of Qiyamah, the closest to me from among the people will be those who
have read the most amount of Durood Shareef". (Tirmidhi)
It is now evident that the recitation of Durood Shareef (Salawat) is
in perfect obedience to theDivine Command and in complete conformity
with the teachings of Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim)
ofIslam. There is no scope to choose anything else when we have with
us the words of Allah Ta'ala and His Apostle, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah
(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim).
B. WHAT IS DUROOD SHAREEF AND THE IMPORTANCE OF DUROOD SHAREEF
Divine blessings on Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi
Wasallim) is the highest and the most meritorious act in our Deen.
This "Divine Blessings" is called Durood Shareef.
When Almighty Allah sends Durood and Salaams upon SayyidunaRasoolullah
(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim), He is actually blessing him. When the
Malaa'ikah and the Muslims send Durood and Salaams to Sayyiduna
Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim), they are actually showing
Almighty Allah their respect for the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi
Wasallim).
Muslims hope that, through the blessings of the Durood and
Salaams,Almighty Allah will forgive them of their sins and increase
their status in this world and in the Aakirah. The Malaa'ikah hope
that Almighty Allah will increase their status.
Durood is a sure means of Allah Ta'ala granting blessings, peace,
prosperity and favours of great magnitude on one who recites Durood
Shareef on the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim). The
reciter of Durood Shareef receives all the benefits in this world and
utmost gain in the next world with addition to the love of the Holy
Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim).
The invocation of Blessings on the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi
Wasallim) is styled in Arabic as "Salawat", inPersian as "Durood",
andin Urdu as "Salawat-o-Salaam".
The regular recitation of Durood Shareef on Sayyiduna Rasoolullah
(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) lifts up our hearts on to a plane of
comprehension where we gaze in our new found peace and moral armour.
The reciter of Durood Shareef will, after some time, come to realise
by himself that it is the spontaneous outpouringof his heart before
the Great Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) ofIslam, whose love
and attachment is needed to get all the present day problems solved
and obtain mercy in the next world.
The more Durood Shareef we recite, the greater the gain and benefit
will be achieved in both the worlds. Hazrat Shaikh-e-Akbar Mo'inuddin
ibn Arabi (radi Allahu anhu) has stated that, "Those who claim to love
and revere the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) should
increase their recital of the Durood Shareef in patience and
perseverance until, through the mercy of Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu
Alaihi Wasallim), they have the opportunity of witnessing his blessed
countenance".
The special and exclusiveaspect of this prayer is that Durood Shareef
is immediately accepted byAllah Ta'ala. No one can doubt its
acceptance, as Durood Shareef is being recited by Allah Ta'ala too.
Not only this, but Hehas revealed this secret in the Holy Quran by
saying:
Wara fa'na laka zikrah
"Have I not exalted thy name."
Muslims are a very fortunate people. Allah Ta'ala chose for them the
name of Islam as a religion, declared to be comprehensive and finalfor
mankind. The personchose to deliver this message in this specific form
and extra-ordinary style of love and hope was the most beloved of
Allah Ta'ala and became the Light of Divinity to be shed upon the
entire universe. This Light devastated all the domains of darkness
anddepression. By reciting Durood Shareef (Salawat) we invite Lightand
drive away all darkness from our inner soul. Our mind becomes soft and
love saturated. If there is softness in everything, it tends beauty to
it. People become ugly owing to lack of this essential beauty of the
inner part of the mind. This ugliness cannot be glossed over by any
amount of cosmetics. It is the Durood Shareef onthe Holy Prophet
(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) which works wonders.
In the same manner, the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim)
taught us Durood Shareef to attain salvation, perfect peace and
maximum gain in this world as well as the next. The soul is the soil
where the faith of Allah is to be implanted firmly and faithfully
which requires continuous recitation of Durood Shareef to thrive and
flourish.
We have been told by Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi
Wasallim) that Durood Shareef is itself Light and when Light enters
the soul every aspirationis achieved and every goal is won. Nothing
remains thereafter to worry about.
Human spirit today is depressed everywhere and mankind has come to the
edge of destruction, decay and devastation. Everyone is engulfed in
untold miseries and tragedies of a very great magnitude. Troubles
andtortures, pain, poverty, hunger, ill-health, frustrations and
accidents have broken the back of a human being. All this can
evaporate with the recitation of Durood Shareef on the Holy Prophet
(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) who hasclearly proclaimed that Durood
Shareef is the panacea of all ills and that if any one comes across a
calamity he should recite Durood Shareef in the maximum number. Allah
Ta'ala has promised that if anyone recites Durood only once, He
showers ten blessings on the reciter immediately.
It is narrated that once Hazrat Musa (alaihis salaam) walked a very
long distance in the desert during summer atnoon. He fainted due to
thirst and hunger. After a while, when he regained his consciousness,
Allah Ta'ala sent Hazrat Jibrael(alaihis salaam) to go and inquire
from Hazrat Musa (alaihis salaam) if he was thirsty or not. Hazrat
Musa (alaihis salaam) replied that he was thirsty. Allah Ta'ala told
him that the thirst on the Day of Judgementwill be a million times
more than what Hazrat Moosa (alaihis salaam) experienced. Hazrat Musa
(alaihis salaam) was told that if he wished to get rid of that thirst
on the hottest Day of Judgement, he would have to do one thing. When
Hazrat Musa (alaihis salaam) enquired as to what should be done, Allah
Ta'ala told him that he should recite Durood Shareef in abundance on
His last Prophet, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi
Wasallim). Hazrat Musa (alaihis salaam) thanked Allah Ta'ala and
immediately began reciting Durood Shareef on the Sayyiduna Rasoolullah
(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim).
From the above fact it is quite clear that Allah Ta'ala has given
orders even to his Ambiya to recite Salawat on the last and final
Prophet of Islam, and that Durood Shareef is not only panacea and a
solution to the ills of this world but in the next too.
In another story, it is narrated that when Hazrat Adam (alaihis
salaam) saw Bibi Hawa (radi Allahu anha) he wanted to be close to her,
but Allah Ta'ala sent Hazrat Jibrael (alaihis salaam) to stop him.
Allah Ta'ala told him thatif he wanted to take BibiHawa (radi Allahu
anha) as his wife, he should first pay Mahr (dowry). On his inquiry as
to whatthe Mahr was, Allah Ta'ala told Hazrat Jibrael (alaihis salaam)
to inform him that the best way of paying the dowry is for him to
recite Durood Shareef 3 times on His last Prophet,Hazrat Muhammad
(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim). Hazrat Adam (alaihis salaam) did so,
Bibi Hawa (radi Allahu anha) was granted to him as his legal and
legitimate wife.
The highest blessings which Islam has conferred on man is the concept
of Tauheed or Unity of Allah in its purest form. This has been
furnished to mankind through Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu
Alaihi Wasallim), the last of the Prophets. It is a cardinal duty of
every Muslim man and woman, young and old to entertain the highest
respect, regard, love and esteem for the Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi
Wasallim) and his family. It should be clear that obedience to
Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) is always to
becharged with intense love and highest regard for him, for it is
through love and esteem that truth can be comprehended and communion
with the Creator can be vouch-safed. In fact, love is the motive
force, reverence dissolves and implicit obedience to the Prophet
(Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim) which isthe natural outcome. It
istherefore incumbent on those who love him, to pray to Allah Ta'ala
and His Angels in wishing for him peace according to the Divine
Command. This will reshape the life which is otherwise infested with
turmoil. The reciter will get countless and matchless benefits in both
the Worlds and can claim to be the lover of Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu
Alaihi Wasallim).
As Muslims we should recite Durood Shareef in the Arabic language.
Islam seeks to create a unified outlook and it is in the Arabic
language alone which welds all Muslims into one great brotherhood.
Besides, Arabic is the language ofHeaven, it is the language of
Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallim), it is the
language of the Angels and it is the language of Hazrat Abu-Bakr,
Hazrat Umar, Hazrat Uthman and Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu anhuma).
The daily recitation of Durood Shareef has a tremendous effect on the
human head, heart, mind and person. It purifies thoughts and
intensifies actions. It makes passages for perfect peace and personal
satisfaction.

Giving Sincere Advice

The giving of sincere advice enjoys a sublime and exalted position in
Islam, and how could thisnot be so? The Prophet considered the giving
of sincere advice on a parwith the religion as whole. The Prophet
said: " Religion is giving sincere advice. "
A person would give sincere advice to others when he loves and
sympathizes with them, when he wishes goodness for them, and when he
wishes to thwart evil and harm from them. Thus, Ibn Al-Atheer said
that giving sincere advice is an indication of the advisor's wish to
bring about goodness for the one advised.
The Companions gave an oath of allegiance to the Prophet that they
would sincerely advise the Muslims: Jareer ibn 'Abdullaah said, " I
gave the oath of allegiance to the Prophet that I would perform
prayers, pay the Zakaah, and give advice to every Muslim. "
In fact, a person who sincerely advises people, seeking goodness for
them, is one of the vicegerents of Allaah The Almighty upon the earth.
Al-Hasan said, " There still exist persons who give sincere advice for
the sake of Allaah The Almighty. They sincerely advise people for the
sake of Allaah and educate them as to what is due to Him. They
implement the order of Allaah The Almighty uponthe earth by giving
sincere advice - and these are the vicegerents of Allaah upon the
earth. "
To Whom Should Sincere Advice be Given?
Sincere advice is for Allaah, His Messenger, His Book, and to the
Muslim leaders and the public at large. Imaam ibn Hajar said,
Sincere advice for Allaah The Almighty means describing Him with the
appropriate attributes, submitting to Him overtlyand covertly, seeking
His pleasure through obeying Him, fearing His anger by not disobeying
Him, and striving to help sinners return to Him.
Sincere advice for His Book means learning andteaching it, reciting
and writing its letters properly, understanding its meanings,
observing its boundaries, applying its instructions and rebutting the
allegations that fabricators try to raise against it.
Sincere advice for His Messenger means venerating him, supporting him
during his life and after his death, reviving his Sunnah by learning
and teaching it, following his example in sayings and actions, and
loving him and his followers.
Sincere advice to the Muslim leaders means assisting them in the tasks
with which they areassigned, alerting them when they are heedless,
covering their unintentional mistakes, uniting people upon their
obedience, and guiding straying hearts back to them. The greatest
sincere advice that a person may give tothem is to prevent them -in
the best way possible -from oppression.
The Imaams of Ijtihaad [those who issue rulings] are among the Muslim
leaders, and sincere advice to them means disseminating their
knowledge and merits and thinking good of them.
Sincere advice to the Muslim masses means having compassion for them,
seeking what benefits them, teaching them what is useful for them,
preventing harm from them, loving for them what a person would love
for himself, and hating for them what a person would hate for himself.
Shaykh 'Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Naasir As-Sa'di said, " Sincere advice for
Allaah and His Messenger implies true belief in them, sincerity in
makingJihaad, determination to perform it when one can do so, and
trying one's best to encourage and urge Muslims to do so. Sincere
advice begins with sincerely advising oneself first, for rarely will a
person advise others sincerely if he cheats himself. "
The Messengers were the Most Concerned of all with Sincerely Advising
Their People
The Prophets of Allaah, may Allaah exalt their mention, endeavored to
call people to Allaah. They were extremely keen on guiding them and
spared no effort in giving them sincere advice. For instance, Prophet
Nooh (Noah) said to his people (what means): {But [I] am a messenger
from the Lord of the worlds. I convey toyou the messages of my Lord
and advise you...} [Quran 7:61-62] The messengers who succeeded Nooh
followed his way in giving sincere advice. Prophet Hoode (Hud) said to
his people (what means): {I am to you a trustworthy adviser.} [Quran
7:68] Prophet Saalih said (what means): {I advised you, but you do not
like advisors.} [Quran 7:79] Prophet Shu'ayb said (what means): {O my
people, I had certainly conveyed to you the messages of my Lord and
advised you.} [Quran 7:93]
Also, the Companions of Prophet Muhammad confirmed that he conveyed
the message of Allaah The Exalted and sincerely advised his people. It
was narrated on the authority of Jaabir that the Prophet said to his
Companions: " You will be questioned about me [in the Hereafter]; what
are you going to say? " They replied, "We will testify that you have
conveyed the message, fulfilled it and have given sincere advice."
Giving Sincere Advice is a Due Right upon a Muslim from His Brother
The Prophet considered the giving of sincere advice as one of the
greatest rights that are due upon Muslims; he said: " There are six
rights due upon a Muslimfrom his Muslim brother… " one of which was: "
… giving him sincere adviceif he asks for it. " The Prophet also said:
" If any of you consults his [Muslim] brother, he [the latter] should
sincerely advise him. "
Allaah The Almighty has doubled the reward of the sincere advisor who
gives his advice hoping for the wellbeing of other Muslims. It was
narrated on the authorityof 'Abdullaah ibn 'Umar that the Prophet
said: " If a slave sincerely advises his master and worships Allaah
properly,he will have his reward doubled. " Moreover, he will be one
of the first people to enter Paradise. He also said: " I have been
shown the three types of people who will enter Paradise first: A
martyr; a chaste person who sought chastity; and a slave who
worshipped Allaah properly and gave sincere advice to his masters. "
Etiquettes of Sincerely Giving Advice
Advice has a sublime position in Islam. A beneficial sincere advice is
the one in which the advisor abides by the etiquettes of the Sharee'ah
that the scholars have mentioned.Among those etiquettes are:
1- The advisor should give his advice sincerely for the sake of Allaah
TheAlmighty, without seeking ostentation, fame, worldly gain or
showing superiority.
2- The advisor should have enough knowledge about the advice which he
is giving. This is because advising is a form of enjoining the good
and forbidding the evil. If a person does not have enough knowledge
about what he is advising about, he may forbid the good, thinkingthat
he is forbidding an evil, and vice versa.
3- He should give it privately. Giving advice publicly is a reproach
andrebuke that is disliked. Mis'ar ibn Kidaam said, "May Allaah have
mercy upon a person who presented my faults to me in secret, for
givingadvice in public is a rebuke."
4- Gentleness in giving advice and avoiding excess and rebuke. The
Prophet said: " Gentleness does not enter anything except that it
adorns it. "
On his part, the one being advised should listen to the advice,
applythe good that it contains and rid himself of the evildesires of
the self. The righteous predecessors would consider advice a gift that
the advisor had presented them. 'Umar said, " May Allaah havemercy
upon a person who gifted me my faults! " Also the advisee should not
let harshness of the advisor deprive him of benefiting from the
advice.
We ask Allaah The Almighty to make us all from those who listen to
speech and follow the best of it.