Advice, its effect and manners (1)

Advice is a great demand in every time, especially in these days during which people avert from goodness and good manners and by the existence of media institutions that call to vice either directly or indirectly under different names.

So, what is Advice and what is its effect and manners?

Linguistically, advice is derived from preaching which is reminding of consequences. And the word advised means: Commanded a person with obedience and commended with it.[1]

Ar-Raghib said:[2]

Advice is an admonition associated with intimidation. Al Khalil said: It means reminding with goodness regarding things that soften the heart. It was said: "The happy is the one who takes lessons from others, whereas the wretched is the one who is made an example to others."

So, advice is reminding and each one of them is used instead of the other as if they are synonyms although there is a difference between them. So, advice is reminding the heedless of something they have to do after they had neglected it. Moreover, it is a rebuke for the people who do bad deeds. As for reminding, it means reminding the people of something they forgot such as the obligation of Salah, Zakah, filial obedience, the prohibition of theft and killing people, and so on. Advice is part of enjoining good and forbidding evil. It is well-known the status of enjoining good and forbidding evil in the Shari`ah. Allah (may He be Exalted) says: "You [true believers in Islâmic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him and his Sunnah] are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma'rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islâm has forbidden), and you believe in Allâh." [Surat Al `Imran: 110].

Advice cleans society from sins and preserves its sound creed. Advice was mentioned in the Qur'an in many positions which we shall mention part of them in the following:

1- Advice is one of the qualities of Prophets and righteous people:

Nuh (Noah) (Peace be upon him) adviced his son who did not respond to his father and did not do good deeds. Therefore, Allah said to Nuh: "Surely, he is not of your family; verily, his work is unrighteous." [Surat Hud: 46].

Yes, he called him to join him, but he refused: "And Nuh (Noah) called out to his son, who had separated himself (apart), O my son! Embark with us and be not with the disbelievers. * The son replied: I will betake myself to a mountain, it will save me from the water. Nuh (Noah) said: This day there is no savior from the Decree of Allah except him on whom He has mercy. And a wave came in between them, so he (the son) was among the drowned." [Surat Hud: 42 - 43].

* Allah (Glory be to Him) commanded His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) with advising his people and saying eloquent words to them. Allah (Glory be to Him) says: "They (hypocrites) are those of whom Allâh knows what is in their hearts; so turn aside from them (do not punish them) but admonish them, and speak to them an effective word (i.e. to believe in Allâh, worship Him, obey Him, and be afraid of Him) to reach their inner selves." [Surat An-Nisa': 63].

Furthermore, Allah commanded His Prophet to offer fair preaching. Allah (Glory be to Him) said: "Invite (mankind, O Muhammad peace be upon him) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islâm) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Revelation and the Qur'ân) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Knower of those who are guided." [Surat An-Nahl: 125].

* The Qur'an narrates to us the sermon of Luqman to his son[3] in which Allah (Glory be to Him) says: "And (remember) when Luqman said to his son when he was advising him: O my son! Join not in worship others with Allah. Verily! Joining others in worship with Allah is a great Zulm (wrong) indeed." [Surat Luqman: 13].

Then Allah (may He be Exalted) commends people with parents:

"And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years give thanks to Me and to your parents, unto Me is the final destination. *But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not, but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and in obedience. Then to Me will be your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do." [Surat Luqman: 14 - 15].

Then Allah (may He be Exalted) mentions the conclusion of Luqman's sermon: "O my son! If it be (anything) equal to the weight of a grain of mustard seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Verily, Allah is Subtle (in bringing out that grain), Well-Aware (of its place). * O my son! Aqim-As-Salât (perform As-Salât), enjoin (on people) Al-Ma'rûf - (Islâmic Monotheism and all that is good), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief in the Oneness of Allâh, polytheism of all kinds and all that is evil and bad), and bear with patience whatever befalls you. Verily, these are some of the important commandments (ordered by Allâh with no exemption). * And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allâh likes not any arrogant boaster. * And be moderate (or show no insolence) in your walking, and lower your voice. Verily, the harshest of all voices is the voice (braying) of the ass." [Surat Luqman: 16 - 19].

It was an eloquent sermon and a good example to good sermons that cure the most important matters, for Luqman advised his son to keep away from polytheism and adhere to monotheism. Moreover, the Ayahs mentioned within this beautiful advice the commandment of Allah with parents and showing gratitude to them even if they are disbelievers except when they command their children with disbelief, then there is no obedience for them.

Luqman explained to his son that nothing is hidden from Allah in the earth and in heavens and that actions -no matter how hidden and delicate they are- are not hidden from Allah and He shall bring them on the Day of Recompense to reckon people for them. Luqman commanded his son with performing Salah, enjoining good and forbidding evil, and observing patience on what may inflict a person. This is an indication to callers to Allah that they shall face some troubles and harm because of calling to Allah, so they have to observe patience. Luqman forbade him to show arrogances, show pride, and raise his voice.

Peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family.