Written Message from Ameer Ahl al-Sunnah
Who is Qualified to give Advice?
The renowned spiritual guide, Amir Ahl al-Sunnah, Mawlana Muhammad Ilyas Attar al-Qadiri دَامَـتْ بَـرَكَـاتُـهُـمُ الْـعَـالِـيَـهْ
The Prophetic scribe, Sayyidunā Amīr MuꜤāwiyah b. Abī Sufyān رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُمَا said:
A person is not capable of giving counsel until his forbearance (i.e., gentleness, patience, and tolerance) overcomes his ignorance, and his patience prevails over his desires. One cannot reach this level without the strength of knowledge.[1]
O devotees of the Prophet! Try to understand this: if someone gives advice, but gets angry when it is not acted upon, questioning why their suggestion was ignored, such a person is not qualified to give counsel. This is because the two essential traits mentioned for an advisor are missing. The first is that his forbearance overcomes his ignorance, meaning that if his advice is not accepted, he refrains from anger and losing control and responds with gentleness and tolerance. The second quality is that his patience overcomes his desires, meaning that even though he wishes for his counsel to be implemented, he adopts patience and endures disappointment when it is dismissed.
Advice or command?
There are many people in society who present their words as advice, but in reality, they are issuing commands. Such people should reflect on who they think they are to order everyone. Has Shariah given us the right to command others in this way? So, differentiate between counsel and an order. Not everyone has the authority to command, but even a child can give a suggestion. If someone’s advice is not accepted, they should respond with patience and think to themselves that they were only putting forward a suggestion, not issuing an order! Perhaps the other person’s counsel was understood to be better. Therefore, always considering your opinions and advice as the best is not wisdom.
An intriguing piece of advice
People would stop to give me advice as I was walking, and I experienced this a lot during the early days of Dawat-e-Islami, and it still happens with responsible Islamic brothers. I encountered many people who contributed to the work of Dawat-e-Islami by simply giving counsel.
During the days of Dawat-e-Islami when gatherings were held at Kakri Ground (Kharadar, Karachi), someone suggested to me:
Set up a box outside at the entrance and station some people there. They should ask everyone who wishes to attend the gathering to donate a one rupee note (notes of this denomination are no longer used in Pakistan) to Dawat-e-Islami as they enter. Not only will you acquire donations from this, but you will know the number of attendees.
Everyone with common sense understands this advice was not acceptable.
Consequences of accepting all advice
I received many long letters from people giving me advice, and some would even order me to do things a particular way! Then, if their counsel was not accepted, they complained to others and claimed that I never accept anyone’s advice. I should make it clear that I have received advice from the general public, people of standing, and people from all walks of life, and I accepted the counsel that made the most sense to me. I have probably received unsolicited advice from thousands of people. If I accepted everyone’s counsel out of courtesy or without evaluating it, the work of Dawat-e-Islami, which has spread worldwide by the mercy of Allah Almighty, would not have reached this level of success. Likewise, the blessings of Madani Channel would not have spread across the world.
The quote at the beginning also highlights how knowledge is essential to be qualified to give advice. Giving advice without possessing adequate knowledge can cause harm in this world and the Hereafter for the advisor and the one receiving counsel. Our pious predecessors were extremely cautious in these matters. Imām Aḥmad Razā Khān رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه was asked a lengthy question which included the words: “What action should we take, and what is the Islamic ruling in this scenario?” Imām Aḥmad Razā Khān رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه answered, “Praise be to Allah, I am aware of the Islamic ruling, and I can convey it. As for secular law, I neither have any knowledge of it, nor can I offer any advice regarding it.”[2]
May Allah Almighty grant us the ability to give sound advice, and to act upon the correct counsel we receive.
اٰمِیْنْ بِجَاہِ خاتَمِ النَّبِیّٖن صلَّی اللہُ عَلَیْہ ِوَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ
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