How To Advise Your Brother 

Shaykh Abdul Razzaaq al-Badr حفظه الله 

 Ibn Katheer mentioned in his Tafseer:

There used to be a man from the people of Shaam who was physically strong, and he used to pay visits to Umar Ibn al-Khattaab رضي الله عنه. Umar رضي الله عنه noticed his absence (i.e., the man stopped visiting him), so he asked: “What has so-and-so done?” They informed him that the man has become an alcoholic.

So, Umar رضي الله عنه called for his scribe and asked him to write: “From Umar Ibn al-Khattaab to so-and-so. Salaamun Alaika! To proceed… Praise be to Allaah, there is none worthy of worship except Him…

﴿غَافِرِ الذَّنبِ وَقَابِلِ التَّوْبِ شَدِيدِ الْعِقَابِ ذِي الطَّوْلِ ۖ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ إِلَيْهِ الْمَصِيرُ‎﴾‏

{The Forgiver of sin, the Acceptor of repentance, the Severe in punishment, the Bestower (of favors), none has the right to be worshiped but Him, (and) to Him is the final return.}” [Surah Ghaafir (40):3]

Then Umar رضي الله عنه said to his companions: “Supplicate to Allaah for your brother that he accepts the letter with an open heart and that Allaah guides him to repentance.”

When the man received the letter from Umar رضي الله عنه, he continued to read the Aayah, reciting to himself over and over again. Then he said: ‘Allaah has warned me against His punishment and promised to accept my repentance.’

Consequently, the man stopped drinking and returned to steadfastness. 

When this news reached Umar رضي الله عنه, he said to the people: “This is how you should be. 

If you see your brother fall into error, then straighten and guide him, and supplicate to Allaah to guide him towards repentance. Do not help the Shaitaan against him.”

[Tafseer Ibn Katheer. Surah Ghaafir]

🎓 Shaikh Abdul Razzaaq al-Badr حفظه الله commented:

Therefore, I recommend you to read this narration, which is mentioned in the starting (Aayaat) of the Tafseer of Surah Ghaafir, in Tafseer of Ibn Katheer.

I recommend you to read it a couple of times, till the heart fully absorbs it and it becomes part of one’s personality.

I also recommend you spread this incident of `Umar Ibn al-Khattaab رضي الله عنه (among the people). I recommend you widely circulate this story till the Khair (virtuous characteristic) becomes widespread, till this kindness becomes widespread, till this compassion and mercy become widespread.

The sinners in this age, such doors (of evil) have been opened for them that were not present before…

…that were not present in the times of the earlier generations.

The doors of extreme (evils) have been opened for them, and they are in a need of those who can be compassionate towards them…

…those who will pray for their (guidance)…

…those who will be gentle towards them…

…those who will supplicate to Allaah to pardon them…

…and (that He تعالى) makes them accept (the truth) with an open heart, and that (He تعالى) removes the Fitan (afflictions and immoralities) from them…

…and that (He تعالى) protects them from their evil selves, and from the evil of the Shayaateen, and the evils of Fitan…

They are in need of all of this.

They are in need of compassion, they are in need of gentleness, they are in need of those who can bring them closer to goodness and guide them (towards the truth) with gentleness, and supplicates for them.

And it does not suit a person that he approaches these people – who have been exposed to such great evils, and while Fitan (tribulations and immorality) is trying to sweep them away from every direction – that he comes to them and helps the Shaitaan against them by cursing (them), supplicating against them, and disgracing them.

This is not required. One should not do so. Rather, what is needed is that a person is compassionate and gentle.

#Advise #MuslimSociety #Ummah

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