Back to search
The question

Is it legislatively (Shariah-wise) more appropriate to remain silent about others' moral and behavioral mistakes, or to advise them with gentleness and kindness? And does this contradict the required patience? And what is the extent of its relation to the noble Hadith: "Anas said: 'I served the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, for ten years. By Allah, he never once said to me, 'Uff (an exclamation of disapproval),' nor did he say regarding something I did, 'Why did you do that?' nor regarding something I did not do, 'Why did you not do that?'" And should advice continue for those who do not respond?

Share this answer

Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

Advising Muslims encompasses matters of religion and worldly affairs. It includes guiding them to what benefits them, teaching them what they do not know about their religion, assisting them with words and actions, covering their shortcomings, warding off harm from them, and enjoining good and forbidding evil gently and sincerely, while showing compassion for them and wishing good for them.

Advice is generally legislated and includes ethics, conduct, and dealings. Whoever does not realize their mistake except through admonition should be advised and guided in a good manner, with the aim of reform.

The aforementioned hadith indicates the desirability of abandoning reproach concerning one's own right, not abandoning advice. The intent is to forgo blame for what has passed, and this does not prevent offering advice regarding what will commence thereafter.

The most important thing is to offer advice and strive for the betterment of others' conditions, not to scold or rebuke them. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did not blame Anas because he was a boy and rational, and due to the Prophet's clemency and forgiveness, peace and blessings be upon him.

Repeating advice depends on the benefit derived from it, and the aim should be advice and reform, not reproach and scolding.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

Read the full answer on Ftawy