The Good Example
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And among what must be attended to regarding the caller: That he should be a good example, possessing good worship and conduct, and also possessing morals by which he calls people.And in the hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): (You will not make people strive for your wealth, but you will make them strive by good character). Good character is attractive. How many people with little knowledge guide nations by Allah’s hand because of their good character, and how many people have vast and abundant knowledge but are dry and ill-mannered, causing people to turn away from them.And Allah mentioned this to His Prophet, saying: [Al Imran: 159] This mercy is mercy for the caller and for the one being called. It is mercy from Allah for His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and mercy from Allah for the creation whom the Messenger calls; for if he had been rough and hard-hearted, they would not have been guided by his hand. Therefore, the caller should be broad-chested and expansive, accepting and giving, and not disdainful.And for this he said: [Al Sajdah: 24] And among their patience is: that they be patient with the harm of the people they call; for harm is inevitable, so patience is inevitable.
And likewise, among the etiquettes of the caller: That he should restrict what he says according to what the need requires. There are people with whom it is not appropriate to speak about social matters that would scatter their understanding and thoughts, and perhaps would cause enmity between them. And there are distinguished people with whom one can speak about social matters to attempt to reform them. People differ. For this reason, I urge myself and you not to belittle ourselves so that we call to Allah with all we can, in every manner, and in every condition; for that is better for us and for those we call to Allah. For (whoever calls to guidance will have a reward like that of whoever acts upon it until the Day of Resurrection).
I ask Allah the Exalted to make us and you guides and guided, and leaders and reformers, and to grant us from Him mercy. Indeed, He is the Bestower.
So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you.
فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ لِنْتَ لَهُمْ وَلَوْ كُنْتَ فَظّاً غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لَانْفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَAnd We made from among them leaders guiding by Our command when they were patient
وَجَعَلْنَا مِنْهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُواAnd likewise, among the etiquettes of the caller: That he should restrict what he says according to what the need requires. There are people with whom it is not appropriate to speak about social matters that would scatter their understanding and thoughts, and perhaps would cause enmity between them. And there are distinguished people with whom one can speak about social matters to attempt to reform them. People differ. For this reason, I urge myself and you not to belittle ourselves so that we call to Allah with all we can, in every manner, and in every condition; for that is better for us and for those we call to Allah. For (whoever calls to guidance will have a reward like that of whoever acts upon it until the Day of Resurrection).
I ask Allah the Exalted to make us and you guides and guided, and leaders and reformers, and to grant us from Him mercy. Indeed, He is the Bestower.