Hadith 7: religion is sincere advice

The hadith. Tamiim ad-Daarii reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: الدِّينُ النَّصِيحَةُ "Religion is naṣiiḥa (sincere good will and advice)." We asked: "Towards whom?" He replied: لِلَّهِ وَلِكِتَابِهِ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلِأَئِمَّةِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَعَامَّتِهِمْ "Towards Allah, His Book, His Messenger, the leaders of the Muslims and the Muslims in general."

Source: hadith no. 7 of An-Nawawi. Reported by Muslim (no. 55).

What does "naṣiiḥa" mean? The word comes from a root that suggests what is pure, unmixed, and also the act of sewing, of mending. Naṣiiḥa is sincerely wanting someone's good, without a hidden motive. Advice is only one part of it.

The five recipients (according to the scholars' explanations): • Towards Allah: believing in Him without associating anything with Him, worshipping Him sincerely, loving Him. • Towards His Book: believing that the Qur'an is His Word, reading it, understanding it, putting it into practice. • Towards His Messenger ﷺ: believing in him, loving him, following his example, defending his sunna. • Towards those in charge: helping them in good, reminding them of the truth with respect and wisdom, not deceiving them. • Towards all Muslims: wanting good for them, helping them, advising them, not deceiving them.

How to advise well? Gently, in private if possible, without humiliating, at the right time, and starting with yourself. Advice given in front of everyone often sounds like blame. And when we receive advice, we say thank you, even if it is hard to hear.

And you? Think of a friend who is doing something that harms them. How could you talk to them in private, gently, to really help? And you, how do you react when someone advises you?

Understanding the lesson

Explanation Saying "religion is nasihah" means that sincerity must run through all our relationships: with Allah, with His Book, with His Messenger ﷺ, with those in charge and with all people.

The companions took this very seriously. Jarir ibn 'Abdillah relates that he pledged to the Prophet ﷺ to establish the prayer, give zakat and be of sincere counsel to every Muslim (Bukhari 57, Muslim 56). Nasihah was part of the commitment, just like prayer.

The opposite of nasihah is deception. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever deceives us is not one of us." (Muslim 102). This applies to trade, exams, relationships and the opinions we give online.

Nasihah also starts with oneself: being honest with oneself and recognising one's faults. 'Umar is reported to have said: "May Allah have mercy on the one who shows me my faults." [À VÉRIFIER : référence]

Lessons to draw from it • I sincerely want good for others, with no hidden motive. • I advise gently, in private, at the right time, and starting with myself. • I deceive no one: not in a deal, not in an exam, not in an opinion I give. • When I am advised, I say thank you, even if it is hard to hear.

Key points to remember • الدِّينُ النَّصِيحَةُ (Muslim 55). • Five recipients: Allah, His Book, His Messenger ﷺ, those in charge, Muslims in general.

The main message Religion is sincerely wanting good: towards Allah, towards His teachings and towards all people.