Beware of the Tricks of People of Desires

You must also be careful of those who try to damage your reputation in front of others. People of desires or Ḥizbiyyah may approach you and ask questions about deviant scholars in public–not to benefit, but to distort your image. They may try to use your words as an opportunity to warn others against you, or they may ask questions about certain issues that people are discussing, with the intention of misusing your answers to harm your reputation or the da‘wah you represent. Be aware of these methods used by people of desires and be mindful of what to say and when to say it. As the Commander of the Faithful, ʿAlī (may Allāh be pleased with him) said: «حَدَّثُوا النَّاسَ بِمَا يَعْرِفُونَ أَتُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يُكَذِّبَ اللهَ وَرَسُولُهُ» “Speak to people in ways they understand. Do you want Allah and His Messenger to be denied?” [Reported by Al-Bukhāri, 127] And in the introduction to Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd (may Allāh be pleased with him) said: «مَا أَنْتَ بِمُحَدِّثٍ قَوْمًا حَدِيثًا لَا تَبْلُغُهُ عُقُولُهُمْ، إِلَّا كَانَ لِبَعْضِهِمْ فِتْنَةٌ» “Do not speak to people about matters that are beyond their understanding, for it may cause trials for some of them.” Some people cannot grasp certain issues, and if you explain something they do not understand, it may push them away from the da‘wah and make them listen to those who want to distort the message of Ahlus-Sunnah. So, strive to speak appropriately and act appropriately in the right place and time. Ask Allāh for guidance in this, and consult those who are more knowledgeable or experienced than you in matters of da‘wah. --- Avoid Attachment to the World I also advise the brothers who go out for da‘wah to detach themselves from worldly desires and to be chaste and self-controlled regarding what people have. Sometimes a person goes out for da‘wah, and people like and honour him. If he is not careful, he may begin to desire their wealth or gifts, lose his self-restraint, and expose himself to temptation. This harms both himself and the knowledge and da‘wah he carries. He must protect the knowledge he has from being spoiled by worldly desires and not become a reason for tarnishing the reputation of scholars or the da‘wah itself. Similarly, some callers mix with ordinary people and see their attachment to worldly matters. They may then want to be like them, neglecting their studies and becoming absorbed in worldly affairs. Therefore, we advise those going out for da‘wah to avoid worldly attachments, be chaste in what people offer them, and remember that they are going out to spread knowledge and da‘wah—this is what will benefit, by Allāh’s permission. Being drawn to worldly matters may cause a person to abandon knowledge and da‘wah. Many callers were once hoped for by the people to do good, but when they became attached to the world, they neglected their duties, harmed the da‘wah, and brought discredit to the scholars. The people of Ahlus-Sunnah are moderate in their da‘wah, in their dealings with others, and in living a life of detachment from the world. They do not desire worldly possessions or what people hold in their hands. --- Acting on Knowledge and Patience with People We also advise that callers to Allāh apply the knowledge they have to themselves and be good examples in their actions before their words. Never say something and act against it. Rather your speech and actions should both call people to Allāh. Consider the example of the Prophet ﷺ: a man once came to him and was influenced by his behaviour and manners. Through the Prophet’s ﷺ kindness and gentle treatment, the man grew to love Islam. A man once entered the masjid during the Prophet’s ﷺ time and urinated there. The people scolded him, but the Prophet ﷺ intervened gently and treated him with care. Because of this kindness, the man said: ((اللَّهُمَّ ارْحَمْنِي وَمُحَمَّدًا، وَلَا تَرْحَمْ مَعَنَا أَحَدًا)) “O Allāh, have mercy on me and Muhammad, and do not have mercy on anyone else with us.”