A BOOK ON ADVICE (A Manual for Social Etiquette for Seekers of Salvation here and in the hereafter) By: Shaykh Abdullahi dan Fodio (Brother of Shehu Usman dan Fodio) In the name of Allah the Compassionate, the Merciful. May Allah bless the Noble Prophet. Now to proceed: This book, A Manual of Social Etiquette for those who Seek Salvation in this World and the Hereafter, has been taken from some of that which Imam al-Ghazzali mentioned in the Ihya Ulum Deen (Revival of the Science of Religion). He wrote: 1. My brother, do not belittle anyone, for you do not know if he may infact be better than you. 2. Do not revere worldly people whilst they are preoccupied with this world of theirs, indeed the world is naught before Allah. 3. Do not ask anyone for something if you are able to obtain it yourself, but if you do ask and he does not give it to you, do not admonish him. 4. Do not preoccupy yourself with advising someone who you know will pay you no heed, and let your counsel be free of the mention of specific persons. 5. Whenever you see that which is praiseworthy and good from people thank Allah and seek refuge in Him from leaving you to them. But if their harm afflicts you, leave them to Allah and seek refuge in Him from their evil. 6. Do not busy yourself with vengeful retaliation, for this will only lead to more harm and waste your time. None save Allah puts our love or hate in the hearts of others. 7. Be amongst people, and listen to their good speech, but do not listen to that which is evil, mention their good but be silent about their evil. 8. Beware of keeping company with most people; For people do not overlook the most insignificant of faults or veil the private affairs of others. They demand fairness, but are not fair themselves and they betray the brethren with tale bearing (namima) and calumny (buhtan). So keeping their company is a grave misfortune and distance from them is a blessing. Outwardly they flatter you (malaq), while inwardly they want to strangle you (khanaq). Outwardly they are like nice clothing (thiyab) - soft and pleasant, while inwardly they are wolves (dhiyab) waiting to attack you. They pass judgment based on suspicion; cast evil glances at each other behind your back, and eagerly wait for some great tribulation to befall you. 9. Do not rely on the friendship of anyone you have not first tested by either living with him in a house or elsewhere so that you know how he is when wealthy and when poor, when pleasant and when angry; or by travelling together or doing business with him or needing him when you are in dire adversity. If you are pleased with his behavior in these instances, treat him like your father if he is older than you, like your son if he is younger than you, and like your brother if you are peers. May Allah shower is mercy and blessings on us. Let us be in the company of pious ones here and hereafter! Ameen via: Sidi Hamza Perez
Posted on: Sat, 01 Feb 2014 07:12:09 +0000
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