What is the best way to advise a neighbor who neglects prayer?
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The questioner : In the name of Allah, we begin this session with this question from one of the listeners, who asks: What is the best way to advise a neighbor who neglects prayer?
The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and I send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and his Companions, and upon those who follow them in excellence until the Day of Judgment. The best way to advise a neighbor is to go to his house, or invite him to your house, or meet him in the market, and be gentle with him and address him in the best manner. You should say to him: "You are my neighbor, and you have a right over me. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has enjoined kindness to the neighbor, and you have a right over me that I help you in everything that benefits you in religion and worldly affairs." You should approach him in a manner you deem appropriate. Then you move on and say: "One of the best things I can offer you is to advise you to maintain the prayers, for prayer is the pillar of the religion." You remind him of its virtues and warn him against neglecting it. Then you say: "And among the ways to establish it and maintain it is to pray it in congregation." You remind him of the virtue of congregation and warn him against neglecting it. In my opinion, if a person advises in a good, gentle manner, his words will certainly have an effect, provided he is sincere to Allah the Exalted in his advice, not mocking or criticizing. Indeed, the word of truth, when it comes from the heart of an advisor, has a profound effect, either in the present or in the future. Do you not see how Moses (peace be upon him), when the magicians were brought before him in a great assembly, said to them:[Taha 20:61] Allah the Exalted said: [Taha 20:62] meaning that the dispute was resolved among them immediately, because the "fa" in His saying indicates sequence and immediacy, and also causality when it enters a clause, as it conveys causality. Look at how this word affected those magicians: [Taha 20:62] And when discord occurs in a nation or a group, its outcome is failure and abandonment. Allah the Exalted said: [Al-Anfal 8:46] This is what I see regarding advising your neighbor about his negligence of congregational prayer. If this benefits him, that is what is required. If it does not benefit him, then you must refer the matter to the responsible authorities, and thereby you will be free of blame. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and I send prayers and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and his Companions, and upon those who follow them in excellence until the Day of Judgment. The best way to advise a neighbor is to go to his house, or invite him to your house, or meet him in the market, and be gentle with him and address him in the best manner. You should say to him: "You are my neighbor, and you have a right over me. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has enjoined kindness to the neighbor, and you have a right over me that I help you in everything that benefits you in religion and worldly affairs." You should approach him in a manner you deem appropriate. Then you move on and say: "One of the best things I can offer you is to advise you to maintain the prayers, for prayer is the pillar of the religion." You remind him of its virtues and warn him against neglecting it. Then you say: "And among the ways to establish it and maintain it is to pray it in congregation." You remind him of the virtue of congregation and warn him against neglecting it. In my opinion, if a person advises in a good, gentle manner, his words will certainly have an effect, provided he is sincere to Allah the Exalted in his advice, not mocking or criticizing. Indeed, the word of truth, when it comes from the heart of an advisor, has a profound effect, either in the present or in the future. Do you not see how Moses (peace be upon him), when the magicians were brought before him in a great assembly, said to them:
Woe to you! Do not invent a lie against Allah or He will exterminate you with a punishment; and he has failed who invents [such falsehood]."
وَيلَكُم لا تَفتَروا عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا فَيُسحِتَكُم بِعَذابٍ وَقَد خابَ مَنِ افتَرىSo they disputed over their affair among themselves
فَتَنازَعوا أَمرَهُم بَينَهُمAnd they disputed.
فَتَنازَعواSo they disputed over their affair among themselves
فَتَنازَعوا أَمرَهُم بَينَهُمand do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.
وَلا تَنازَعوا فَتَفشَلوا وَتَذهَبَ ريحُكُم وَاصبِروا إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصّابِرينَThe questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh.