Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 22

Giving Counsel

باب النصيحة

This short chapter turns on one weighty word: nasihah, usually translated as sincerity or counsel, but really meaning to want pure good for someone and to act on that wish. The Prophet (peace be upon him) makes it the heart of the whole religion, then maps where that goodwill is owed: upward to Allah and His revelation, and outward to the community and those who lead it.

Notice how counsel here is never gossip or fault-finding. It is loyalty in action: keeping your covenant with Allah, wishing your fellow believers well, and measuring your love for them by the simple test of wanting for them exactly what you want for yourself.

Hadith 181

Tamim bin Aus Ad-Dari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

فالأول‏:‏ عن أبي رقية تميم بن أوس الداري رضي الله عنه أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏ "‏ الدين النصيحة‏" ‏ قلنا‏:‏ لمن‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ لله ولكتابه ولرسوله ولأئمة المسلمين وعامتهم ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Ad-Deen is sincerity". We said: "For whom?" He replied, "For Allah, His Book, His Messenger and for the leaders of the Muslims and their masses". [Muslim].

In plain words

The Prophet said the religion itself is sincere goodwill, owed to Allah, His Book, His Messenger, and to the leaders and the wider body of Muslims. Genuinely wanting good for all of these lies at the heart of faith.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 181 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 181

Hadith 182

Jarir bin 'Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

الثاني‏:‏ عن جرير بن عبد الله رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ بايعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم على إقام الصلاة، وإيتاء الزكاة، والنصح لكل مسلم‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏ ‏.‏

I made my covenant with Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on the observance of Salat, payment of Zakat, and giving counsel to Muslim." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

This Companion pledged himself to upholding prayer, giving zakat, and offering sincere counsel to fellow Muslims. Wishing and working for others' good is bound up with one's commitment to the faith.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 182 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 182

Hadith 183

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

الثالث‏:‏ عن أنس رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ “لا يؤمن أحدكم حتى يحب لأخيه ما يحب لنفسه‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏ ‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "No one of you becomes a true believer until he likes for his brother what he likes for himself". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

No one truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself. Sincere faith shows itself in wanting the same good for others that you want for yourself.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 183 In-book reference : Introduction, Hadith 183