What is the meaning of the word “ نصيحة (naseehah - advice/sincerity)” and what is meant by the Hadith: “Religion is Naseehah (sincerity/advice)”? And what constitutes Naseehah (sincerity/advice) to Allah, to His Book, to His Messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk?

Linguistically, advice (naseeha) means purity. Religiously, it is a comprehensive term for desiring good for the one being advised. The meaning of the hadith is: The pillar and foundation of religion is naseeha (sincere advice/devotion).

As for naseeha to Allah: It is by having sound belief in His oneness, abandoning atheism regarding His attributes, performing acts of obedience to Him, avoiding disobedience to Him, loving and hating for His sake, befriending those who obey Him and antagonizing those who disobey Him, and being grateful for His blessings.

As for naseeha to His Book: It is by believing in it, revering it, reciting it as it should be recited, acting upon its clear verses, submitting to its ambiguous ones, contemplating its verses, defending it, and spreading its knowledge.

As for naseeha to His Messenger: It is by believing in him, honoring him, adhering to obedience to him, reviving his Sunnah, supporting him, and loving his family and companions.

As for naseeha to the leaders of the Muslims: It is by assisting them in truth, obeying them in it, gently and kindly reminding them, supplicating for their rectitude, and not rebelling against them.

As for naseeha to the general Muslims: It is by loving for them what you love for yourself, disliking for them what you dislike for yourself, showing compassion towards them, having mercy on their young, respecting their elders, and warding off all harm and evil from them.