'Nasihah' to leaders and Muslim folks
Sisters: Muslimahs praying outside masjid Fatih in Istanbul against the current Israeli aggression in Gaza. Picture: EPA
Friday, March 7, 2008
THIS religion (Islam) is nasihah.
Last Friday in the same page, we found that the meaning of nasihah is much wider than what Malay Muslims commonly understand. Nasihah or nasihat does not merely means advice, but "truly seeking the best in everything".
Islam suggests nasihah to both the Muslim leaders and the common folks of Muslims.
The word "leader" stands for both 'ulama and those in authority (at all levels). Nasihah should be given to all leaders, no matter how high or what the ranking is. No one is above the law in Islam and no one is above needing advice. Nasihah is for the benefit of anyone who is in authority. This means that a ruler, leader or scholar should be the first to accept sincere advice.
Making nasihah to Muslim leaders should include: Helping them in whatever is good or beneficial to the leaders as well as to the led; obeying them in what is right; and reminding them if they should err or forget.
It also includes: being patient with them if they do things which we dislike — we try to do the nasihah and at the same time we tolerate the leader because otherwise it may lead to instability in the Muslim community; making jihad with them and not revolting against their proper authority.
One should pray for their guidance and piety, choosing the right way, manner and channel in advising them.
The scholars say giving nasihah to leaders should be done according to certain rules: one must have pure intentions (ikhlas); it should be done mildly, calling on them with respect; avoiding harshness and not to embarrass them — our aim is to advise and correct them and not to show off. Not to divulge or inform others about their wrongdoing as this may lead to more problems in the society. Give the nasihah privately and not publicly.
If one is asked by the leader to do a maksiat or something which contradicts with Syariah, one shouldn't obey.
For the scholars, our nasihah is seeking knowledge from them. We obey them if their opinion is based on sound proof and evidence. Not to seek or point out their mistakes.
There are some people who search for the mistakes of scholars — we shouldn't do this because scholars are pious people and this act may cause Allah to be displeased with us. It may also create chaos in the community. Not to follow them blindly. Not to hollow them.
To Muslim folks:
This includes: to observe the rights of other Muslims — fulfilling our obligations towards other Muslims. These obligations differ depending on the group of Muslims (our parents, children, relatives, neighbours, etc) greeting them, visiting them when they are sick, making doa for them, giving advice if they ask for it, praying salat ul janazah for the one who dies, etc.
Hence comes the concept of wala' which means: to love every Muslim, to care for all Muslims, to help other Muslims, to defend and protect other Muslims.
If you do not love, you will not care. If you do not care, you will not help. If you do not help, you will not protect.
There is a counter concept to al-wala' which is al-bara or disassociation with (for the purpose of leading others from doing evil). If it will not lead the other person to change his ways — we should not start with disassociation, we should start with giving advice and educating.
We should show love and concern and give nasihah in the proper way. If all else fails, then we can use the concept of disassociation (if it will lead to the person changing).
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessing be upon him, said, "Someone is a real Muslim if he is the one who the other Muslims are saved from his tongue and his hand."
The true Muslim is one who will not harm others verbally or physically, in any way or by any means.
Having mercy for the young and showing respect to the elders — it is part of glorifying Allah that we respect the elder Muslims.
Sacrificing one's time, effort, money, etc for the betterment of the Muslim community is also a part of this.
If we are the ones in authority, then we should act sincerely towards the rest of the Muslims and do whatever is in their best interest. We should give nasihah to the people by, eg, doing what is best for the ummah, defending the community, putting the right and qualified people in the right position and job.
Any kind of leadership or authority, whatever the level or rank, is responsible for the people being led.
We can see that nasihah encompasses everything in Islam, Iman and Ihsan. Islam is nasihah.
Hadith Arbain
Last Friday in the same page, we found that the meaning of nasihah is much wider than what Malay Muslims commonly understand. Nasihah or nasihat does not merely means advice, but "truly seeking the best in everything".
Islam suggests nasihah to both the Muslim leaders and the common folks of Muslims.
The word "leader" stands for both 'ulama and those in authority (at all levels). Nasihah should be given to all leaders, no matter how high or what the ranking is. No one is above the law in Islam and no one is above needing advice. Nasihah is for the benefit of anyone who is in authority. This means that a ruler, leader or scholar should be the first to accept sincere advice.
Making nasihah to Muslim leaders should include: Helping them in whatever is good or beneficial to the leaders as well as to the led; obeying them in what is right; and reminding them if they should err or forget.
It also includes: being patient with them if they do things which we dislike — we try to do the nasihah and at the same time we tolerate the leader because otherwise it may lead to instability in the Muslim community; making jihad with them and not revolting against their proper authority.
One should pray for their guidance and piety, choosing the right way, manner and channel in advising them.
The scholars say giving nasihah to leaders should be done according to certain rules: one must have pure intentions (ikhlas); it should be done mildly, calling on them with respect; avoiding harshness and not to embarrass them — our aim is to advise and correct them and not to show off. Not to divulge or inform others about their wrongdoing as this may lead to more problems in the society. Give the nasihah privately and not publicly.
If one is asked by the leader to do a maksiat or something which contradicts with Syariah, one shouldn't obey.
For the scholars, our nasihah is seeking knowledge from them. We obey them if their opinion is based on sound proof and evidence. Not to seek or point out their mistakes.
There are some people who search for the mistakes of scholars — we shouldn't do this because scholars are pious people and this act may cause Allah to be displeased with us. It may also create chaos in the community. Not to follow them blindly. Not to hollow them.
To Muslim folks:
This includes: to observe the rights of other Muslims — fulfilling our obligations towards other Muslims. These obligations differ depending on the group of Muslims (our parents, children, relatives, neighbours, etc) greeting them, visiting them when they are sick, making doa for them, giving advice if they ask for it, praying salat ul janazah for the one who dies, etc.
Hence comes the concept of wala' which means: to love every Muslim, to care for all Muslims, to help other Muslims, to defend and protect other Muslims.
If you do not love, you will not care. If you do not care, you will not help. If you do not help, you will not protect.
There is a counter concept to al-wala' which is al-bara or disassociation with (for the purpose of leading others from doing evil). If it will not lead the other person to change his ways — we should not start with disassociation, we should start with giving advice and educating.
We should show love and concern and give nasihah in the proper way. If all else fails, then we can use the concept of disassociation (if it will lead to the person changing).
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessing be upon him, said, "Someone is a real Muslim if he is the one who the other Muslims are saved from his tongue and his hand."
The true Muslim is one who will not harm others verbally or physically, in any way or by any means.
Having mercy for the young and showing respect to the elders — it is part of glorifying Allah that we respect the elder Muslims.
Sacrificing one's time, effort, money, etc for the betterment of the Muslim community is also a part of this.
If we are the ones in authority, then we should act sincerely towards the rest of the Muslims and do whatever is in their best interest. We should give nasihah to the people by, eg, doing what is best for the ummah, defending the community, putting the right and qualified people in the right position and job.
Any kind of leadership or authority, whatever the level or rank, is responsible for the people being led.
We can see that nasihah encompasses everything in Islam, Iman and Ihsan. Islam is nasihah.
Hadith Arbain
Business Besides Oil
