Ikhlas in Giving Advice

 “I have told him so many times, but he just won’t listen!”

“There’s no point highlighting this to them, it’s not like they will take action”

How many times have we heard - or ourselves are guilty of expressing - these defeatist cries of frustration? 

Many of us are quick to throw in the towel when we perceive as if our advice has "no effect".

As Muslims, sometimes we forget that the purpose that we give advice, isn’t for the person to change. Our purpose of giving advice is to convey: because it pleases Allah. 

And if - we are truly sincere - and Allah is pleased with it AND wants good for the person, HE will add in the Barakah and inspire the change. That's HIS job - not yours!

Allah commanded the Prophet ﷺ: “So, remind them (O Muhammad), you are only a one who reminds. You are NOT a dictator over them.” (Al-Ghashiyah 21-22)

Even the Prophet ﷺ, the noblest, most righteous and most beloved creation of Allah, could not have the ability to guide Abu Talib, the father figure whom he loved so dearly. 

“Indeed, [O Muhammad], you do not guide whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided” (Al-Qasas, 56)

Change takes time. We cannot see the full outcome, only try our best in the moment and put our trust in Allah.

But if we lack in the endurance and easily give up because there is no visible change, we might never see that change at all.

As Thomas Edison once said, “many of life’s failures are people who did not realize HOW CLOSE they were to success when they gave up”

May Allah make us amongst those who are truly sincere. 

#ikhlas #sincerity