Talk to your brother before it is too late

Introduction


All praise is for Allah, The Lord of all of the creation. May prayers and peace be upon our prophet Muhammad, his family, and all of his companions.

We would like to present some benefits from the speech of one of the greatest scholars of our time Sheikh Abdul-Azeez bin Abdillah bin Baaz, may Allah have mercy on him, regarding the topic “Calling to Allah, The Most High”. In the following excerpts, the sheikh explains the mannerisms that should be used when calling a person to the truth. It is worth mentioning that calling to Allah is not restricted to the scholars and students of knowledge, rather a person is to call to the truth based on his or her ability to do so.

Sheikh Muhammad bin Saalih al-Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said, “If a person has insight as to what he is calling to, then there is no difference between the scholar that people turn to for counsel, or the diligent student of knowledge, or the general person, but he must know the issue he is calling to or addressing with complete certainty. This is due to the statement of the Prophet, may prayers and peace be upon him,


It isn’t a condition that a caller narrates a large quantity of knowledge, but it is a condition that he has knowledge of what he is calling to. As for a person calling to something based on ignorance and emotion, then this is impermissible.” (1) With that being said, we advise the reader to remember the statement of the Messenger of Allah, may prayers and peace be upon him, when he said,


The scholars have mentioned from the benefits of this hadeeth is that a person loves for his brother to gain the pleasure of Allah, The Most High, and to be admitted into His paradise just as he would love that for himself. They also mention that he also dislikes for his brother what he dislikes for himself. So, just as you dislike evil and harmful things for yourself, you should also dislike evil and harmful things for your brother. We ask Allah, The Most High, to have mercy on the sheikh, to allow us as well as the reader to benefit from his advice, and may the prayers and peace be upon our prophet Muhammad.


Al-Thamaraat

Notes:

1.  Al-Uthaymeen, Muhammad bin Saalih. As- Sahwah Al-Islaamiyyah. Daar Al-Watan Lil-Nashr 1426H/ 2005 pg. 59


To continue Insha Allah

Pray that Allah, The Most High, guides him (i.e. the person he’s giving da’wah to) and grants him success by accepting the truth, and while doing so, be steadfast and have patience. Don’t get tired or lose hope. Don’t say anything except that it’s good! Don’t use harshness, or say evil things that will push people away from the truth, except for the one who oppresses or transgresses the bounds, as for this person, his situation differs. As Allah, The Most High, says,

‘And do not argue with the people of the Scripture, unless it be in a way that is better (with good words and in a good manner, inviting them to the truth) except with those who oppress or do wrong…(29:46) (2)

And all of this doesn’t prevent the advising of an individual who makes a mistake, regardless of whether he is from the people of knowledge or from the callers to Allah, (the mistakes that are corrected can be due to) either his actions, or in his call, or the path in which he treads. Rather, it is obligatory that he (the caller) guides to what is good and true, with excellent speech. Not by patronizing, or by having evil thoughts, or by using harshness in his approach, in fact, this will chase more people away from the truth than call them to it. And because of this, Allah said to his two messengers, Moosaa and Haroon, when He sent them to the wickedest, most evil, disbelieving person of their time;

‘Say (Moosaa and Haroon) to him (Fir’aun) a statement that is mild, perhaps he will accept admonition or fear Allah’ (20:44.)

Allah has informed us about His Messenger, may prayers and peace be upon him, when He prescribed for him gentleness, using wisdom, mildness, and easiness in calling to Allah. Allah, The Most High, said,

‘And by the Mercy of the Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from you…’ (3:159.)

Allah, The Most High, commanded the Messenger, may prayers and peace be upon him, to call to Him (Allah) with wisdom and excellent speech, and Allah says,

‘Call to the way of your lord with wisdom and excellent speech, and argue with the people with that which is better’ (16:125.)

This command (calling with wisdom and using excellent speech) is not restricted to the Messenger of Allah, may prayers and peace be upon him. Without a doubt it is for him, may prayers and peace be upon him, for all of the scholars of Islam, and for every caller to the truth. This is due to the fact that Allah’s commands to His Messenger, may prayers and peace be upon him, are not exclusively for him, rather they are general for all of the ummah, except by evidences that have been exclusively defined for him, may prayers and peace be upon him. This can be clearly shown in His verse,

‘Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah, you have a good example to follow…’ (33:21.)

Allah, The Most High, also says,

‘So believe in him (Muhammad, may prayers and peace be upon him), honor him, help him, and follow the light (Qu’raan) that has been sent down, it is those who will be successful’ 7:157 (3.)

So it is upon you, to have patience, to persevere, and that you are not hasty in cursing (people) or using evil speech or harshness (with them). You must be easy (with them), have mercy (with them), and gentleness. When Allah sent Moosaa and Haroon to Fir’aun, what did He say to them? Allah said,

‘Say (Moosaa and Haroon) to him (Fir’aun) a statement that is mild, perhaps he will accept admonition or fear Allah’ 20:44.

So for you is the same, perhaps your companion will accept admonition or fear Allah. It has been narrated in saheeh (Muslim), reported by Aiesha, may Allah be pleased with her, that the prophet, may prayers and peace be upon him, said,

‘Oh Allah, whoever takes reign (or becomes in charge) of any of the affairs of my ummah and are gentle with them, (Oh Allah) be gentle with them (i.e. the one in charge of the affairs). Oh Allah, whoever takes reign (or becomes in charge) of any of the affairs of my ummah, and causes them to split, (Oh Allah) break them (i.e. the one in charge of the affairs)!’.


This hadeeth (displays a) great promise for the one who uses gentleness and a severe threat for the one who causes separation and splitting. The Messenger of Allah, may prayers and peace be upon him said,

‘Whoever is prevented from gentleness is (in essence) prevented from all good’ (4)





Notes:

2 Majmoo’a Fataawa, 1/347
3 Majmoo’a Fataawa, 27/462
4 Abu Dawood #4811 authenticated by Sheikh al-Albaanee.


To continue Insha Allah

And he, may prayers and peace be upon him, (also said),

‘You must use gentleness, indeed it isn’t contained within something except that it beautifies it, and it isn’t abstained from something except that it removes the beauty from that thing.’ (5.)


So a caller to Allah must have forbearance and use good methods of communication that are gentle and easy in his call to Muslims and non Muslims. Gentleness is essential in his call to Muslims and non Muslims, to the leader, and other than the leader. This goes without saying, (i.e. having gentleness) with the leaders, for they are in need of even more gentleness and even better ways of communication, perhaps they will accept the truth and (by them accepting the truth) it will affect others. The same goes for an individual who has internalized innovation and sinning, wherein he has been upon this way for years. He is in need of patience until his innovation is removed…(6)

There are many narrations that prove that it is upon the callers to Allah and the advisers to Allah’s worshipers, that they choose a beneficial communication method, by using phrases that don’t contain therein harshness, and don’t chase people away from the truth. The goal of this particular method of communication is so that a person will submit to the truth and leave off falsehood…(7)

It isn’t permissible to remain quiet (about things that are in opposition to the religion) for the sake of your wife, or your brother, or this person or that person, however, (you should say something) using a good communicative method (by choosing) excellent words. This is not to be done with harshness, (however, when advising) you pay (careful) attention to the times that are suitable for advising. There are times that some people may not accept advice and there are times when they will. Therefore, a believing man and woman, they pay (careful) attention when enjoining the good and forbidding evil, to the times in which they advice an individual. They do not lose hope if the advised does not accept from them today, perhaps they will accept from them the next day. So, they continue to enjoin the good and forbid evil and advise others, having good thoughts of Allah and seeking his reward. (8)

It is for a caller to Allah and a teacher to be careful and choose the correct way of addressing the people in order to achieve beneficial (results). He is to be cautious of using harshness because that could potentially lead to one rejecting the truth, causing separation and division amongst the Muslims. The intent (when calling the people) is to clarify the truth and striving for the truth to be accepted. The objective is not to outwardly show your knowledge (i.e. how much knowledge you have) or to outwardly show that you are (in fact) a caller to Allah, or that you have some jealously for the religion, Allah knows what is secret and what is hidden. However, the objective is to convey the da’wah and to benefit the people with your (excellent) speech. So it is upon you to use measures that will ensure that your call is accepted and not use methods that will achieve the opposite result. (9)

(And lastly,) It’s obligatory that we follow the messengers, may prayers and peace be upon them, in calling to Allah, The Most high, and in other things. Patience must be observed along with refraining from the (type of harshness that) will push people away. A caller to Allah must observe good speech by using clear speech. He warns against using harshness because that pushes (the one being called) away, thus closing the door on that person. It is an obligation to use gentleness and search for the proper method in which the one being called (will accept what you are calling him to) i.e. accepts the truth, except for the oppressors (those who oppress others). As for those who are oppressive, there are recompenses for him as Allah, The Most High, says,

‘And do not argue with the people of the Scripture, unless it (be) in a way that is better (with good words and in good manner, inviting them to the truth) except for those who oppress or do wrong…’ (29:46.)

Whoever oppresses a caller to Allah there is another answer for them (the oppressors); however, a caller searches for the proper way of communicating with people. He (also) warns against being in opposition to the scholars and alienating the people from them. This is because it doesn’t bring about cohesion, rather it causes division. This separation leads to enmity and rancor. So, it is mandatory upon the callers to Allah, The Most High, to urge the people or motivate them to seek knowledge, to urge them to attend the (lectures) of the scholars of the Sunnah, and to urge the people to take from them (scholars of the Sunnah). The caller to Allah, The Most High, (also) warns against alienating the people of knowledge, the ones known for having the correct understanding of the Islamic belief system. (With that in mind), everybody makes mistakes. There’s no one safe from making mistakes. The Messenger of Allah, may prayers and peace be upon him, said,

‘All of the children of Aadam make mistakes, and the best from amongst those who make mistakes, are those who make repentance.’ (10)

Imam Maalik, may Allah have mercy on him, mentioned, ‘There is no one amongst us except that he refutes or is refuted excluding the companion of the grave’ and he meant the Messenger of Allah, may prayers and peace be upon him. Every scholar makes mistakes; however, it is a necessity that he is informed of his mistake with a good method that is suitable. As long as he (the scholar) is from the people of the Sunnah, he is not warned against. Rather, he is guided to goodness, and he is advised with gentleness in his call to Allah. People are urged to seek knowledge from them (the scholars) so long as they are people of the Sunnah. Every individual makes mistakes, however, he is judged by what he is known for from his correctness in his belief in Allah, The Most High. The Messenger of Allah, may prayers and peace be upon him, said,

‘If a judge rules on an issue, after deliberation he get two rewards if he’s correct and one reward if he errs’ (al-Bukhaaree and Muslim).

Thus a caller to Allah and a scholar who calls to righteousness, if he makes a mistake he is rewarded due to his efforts and if he is correct in his judgment, he receives two rewards. This is so long as he is upon the path of Salafiyyah, the path of the of the Sunnah, as long as they are people who make the oneness of Allah and that they intend good… What is important is that his foundation is upon that of the Salaf of this ummah, following the companions of the Messenger of Allah, may prayers and peace be upon him, and the Imaams of Islaam. He wants for the people to learn that which is good, and he wants for them to obey Allah and His Messenger, and refrain from the things that Allah has prohibited. Likewise, (the Scholars or callers to Allah) prohibit them (the ones whom da’wah is given to) from innovations, which have spread in the midst of the people. There is no condition that the (caller) must be infallible. Infallibility belongs to the messengers in what they narrate on Allah, The Most High, but he (the caller)exhorts all efforts in search for the truth via legislated rulings. Whoever is truthful (in his call) and sincere (in calling to) Allah, Allah will aide him and give him success… His goal should be to call the people to that which is better, not to be seen or heard by the people (showing off) or wanting the people to praise him, nonetheless, his intentions should be to teach the people by removing them from darkness and leading them to the light, by removing them from things that will destroy them to things that will bring them happiness…


So, I advise you (all), with the fear of Allah, that you work together with piety, that you use excellent speech, and that you are diligent in using excellent speech, with proper methods of communication. (Likewise) be gentle in your da’wah and have good thoughts about your brothers from the Sunnah. This is by not spreading things that will harm their reputation due to their errors. However, we rectify the mistakes by using different methods, such as talking between the brothers via phone conversations, or visiting them, or exchanging letters, this is so that there won’t be any strange feelings between the brothers. (In addition) the truth becomes clear, the mistake becomes rectified, thus obedience to Allah and His Messenger, may prayers and peace be upon him, is ultimately achieved…(11)





Notes:

5 Muslim
6 Majmoo’a Fataawa, 27/162
7 Majmoo’a Fataawa, 27/464
8 Majmoo’a Fataawa, 4/51
9 Majmoo’a Fataawa 5/156
10 at-Tirmithee #2499 authenticated by Sheikh al-Albaanee.
11 Majmoo’a Fataawa 27/19



To continue Insha Allah

We can clearly see that the sheikh, may Allah have mercy upon him, was diligent in bringing about closeness between the people of the Sunnah and opposed to separation between the people of the Sunnah. He stressed that these things can be achieved through communication. Communication is the key to solving a lot of problems, especially for those who sincerely want to make rectification between the hearts of the people. So we say this extending our hands and hoping for rectification between our brothers and sisters of the Sunnah. The people of innovation are rejoicing at the discord that has taken place between us. If any of our brothers fall into mistakes, we ask that we all advise each other with sincerity loving for them, that which we love for ourselves. Do we really want any of our brothers to enter the hellfire because of a mistake he has made or due to a misunderstanding he may have in the religion? Of course not, our days are numbered wherein we will all be called back to Allah, The Most High. That great day will come when we will all have to stand before Allah, The Creator of the heavens and the earths, and nothing will benefit an individual except the deeds he has put fourth for himself, as Allah, The Most High, mentioned,

‘And we have fastened every man’s deeds to his neck, and on the day of Resurrection, We shall bring out for him a book in which he will find wide open. (It will be said to him): ‘Read your book. You yourself are sufficient as a reckoner against yourself this day’ (17:13, 14.)


We ask Allah, The Most High, by his beautiful names and attributes that He unites our hearts upon the truth, and that He makes us sincere advisers to one another based on the Qur’aan and Sunnah as understood by the companions. And may prayers and peace be upon our prophet Muhammad, his family, and all of his companions.


Ali Davis and Abu Saajid Syid Turcks
Umm Al-Quraa University www.althamaraat.com







Published On-Line for Free Distribution
First Edition: June 2011


Note: This document is an on-line book publication of www.althamaraat.com. This book was formatted and designed specifically for being placed on the Internet for free. Al-Thamaraat allows for this document, in its present form and with no alterations, to be distributed, printed, photocopied, reproduced and/or disbursed by electronic means for the purpose of spreading its content and not for the purpose of gaining a profit, unless a specific request is sent to the publishers and permission is granted. Anyone wishing to quote from this document must give credit to the publisher.


About the Book: This is a translation of the some of Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz’s Fataawa. We combined some of his Fataawa surrounding the topic of calling to Allah and produced this small treatise. We felt that this was an important topic that needed to be stressed amongst the people of the Sunnah. We have documented all of the reference points. The Fataawa are not translated with the questions, rather what has been gathered are the answers and numerous pieces of advice that were given by the sheikh on various occasions. Once again, we have referenced everything, therefore the reader can return to the sheikh’s ‘Majmoo’a Fataawa’ for further elaboration on the subject.


This is a publication of Al-Thamaraat.
Translated and summarized by,
Ali Davis
Abu Saajid Syid Turcks