Lowlier Than Thou – Naseeha tips from Ibn Rajab

Muslim Matters has an article entitled "Lowlier Than Thou – Naseeha tips from Ibn Rajab" which highlights the need to look at the intention behind naseeha, or advice. The Ibn Rajab in question is Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (rahimuhullah) who wrote “The Difference Between Naseeha and Ta’eer”. The article by Saqib Saab states:

Always give Naseeha sincerely. From the get go, you want to have clear intent that the reason why you’re advising this person is to please Allah (SWT) and find the truth of the issue at hand. Naseeha is not about who’s right and who’s wrong, or if either side is better or “holier” than the other. Both the giver and receiver should be striving for the truth, not to beat the other in a debate. Ibn Rajab writes:

Even more amazing is where he (imam As Shafi’i) said, “I have never debated with someone except that I wished the truth becomes clear; regardless whether it comes from his tongue or mine”. This indicates that his intention was only that of to make the truth apparent, whether it is from himself or the from the person whom he differed with, and whoever thinks like this then there is no problem in refuting his statements by making clear his contradiction to the Sunnah, whether he is alive or dead.

You can read the full article here.