In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Reminder to the advisers

Firstly, advice should be accompanied with sincerity – free from all ulterior motives. Imaam As-Sadi [rahimahullaah] said: ”Among the benefits of Naseehah (sincere advice) is that it is a safeguard against deceit, for indeed whoever deceives the Muslims in their Religious and Worldly Affairs is not from them. Deceit is among the most repugnant of traits in relation to (fulfilling) the rights of a relative, a non-relative, the person who opposes you and the one in agreement. The Great Qur’aan calls to this quality (i.e. sincere advice), which is from the best of qualities. Indeed, giving sincere advice to every individual is praiseworthy in the divine Islamic Law and it is something in agreement with (sound) intellect and natural disposition. And what is in opposition to it is regarded repulsive in the divine Islamic Law and in opposition to (sound) intellect and natural disposition. [Ref 1]

Secondly, do not be opinionated when you give advice or make requests on behalf of others. Ibn Hazm [rahimahullaah] said: Offer not advice only on condition that it will be accepted nor intercede [on behalf of someone] only on the condition that [your intercession] should be accepted. Do not give a gift on the condition that [you will] receive something in return; rather do so only due to seeking after virtue and to fulfil that which is obligated on you that you should give advice, intercede [on behalf of someone] and to do good. [Ref 2]

Reminder to those who receive the advice – Be Humble When Advice Reaches You

Fudayl Ibn Iyaad [rahimahullaah] said: ”Humility is that you humble yourself to the truth and accept it from the one who says it. Humility is that you accept truth, even if heard from a child or the most Jaahil person. [Ref 3]

[Ref 1: Source: Abridged & slightly paraphrased. Source: Fat’hul Raheemil Malikil Allaam Fee Ilmil Aqaa-id Wat-Tawheed, Wal Akhlaaq, Wal Ahkaam. Page: 98. Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: Al-akhlaaq Was-Siyar 122’ by Ibn Hazm (rahimahullaah). slightly paraphrased]

Ref 3: Madaarj As-Saalikeen 2/342