How to change the society for the better

Two basic principles of reforming the society – Wisdom and sweet words

 

 

Allah Ta'ala says:

 

Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: Surah Nahl (16:125)

 

There are 2 basic principles for inviting towards “Deen” and improving the society:

 

1.  Wisdom ( Hikmah )

2.  Sweet words.  ( Mau’izah )

 

There are many interpretations of wisdom and sweet words.  One meaning of the word “Hikmah” is that the inviter (Dae’e) should present such a proof for his claim that all doubts are cleared from the heart of the listener and the truth of the matter becomes apparent and clear and the meaning of “Mau’izah” is that the talk should be so beneficial that it immediately makes its place in the heart of the listener.

 

The Prophethood and mercy of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is not confined to any country and place, but it is universal.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is mercy for all the worlds and He is the Prophet of all creation, so Allah Ta'ala has not constrained the Da’awah of His religion and has put universality into it.

 

In the interpretation of the said verse of Surah Nahl that the command is to invite to the way of the Lord, but who should be invited has not been mentioned, which only means that the invitation should not be limited to certain people or group, rather it should include the whole of humanity and the Dae’e should continue his/her efforts in light of the Sunnah.  Only then will there be a good result.

 

There is a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari that one Bedouin came into Masjid Nabawi and urinated in its courtyard.  At that time, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was seated along with His Sahaba (companions).  The Sahaba ran forward to severely admonish that man.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) stopped them and said: You’ve been sent to create ease, not hardship.  Then the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) ordered that it should be cleaned with water.

 

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No.  220)

 

What is to be seen here is that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) did not allow that the Bedouin should be feel ashamed, but told him with affection and love that this is the house of Allah Ta'ala and here Salaat and recitation of the Holy Quran is done.  Dirtying this is against the sanctity of this place.

 

There is a Hadith in Musnad Imam Ahmed that a young man presented before the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and said: O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)! Permit me to perform adultery.  If such a thing had happened in our gatherings, we would have been extremely angry, beat that man and who knows what else.  But the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) did not humiliate that person and was not harsh with him.  He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Come closer.  Then the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: With whom do you desire this? With your mother? He said: No, by Allah! The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Similarly people do not like this with their mothers.  Then the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Do you desire this with your daughter.  He said: No, by Allah! The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: In the same way, people do not like this with their daughters.  Do you desire to do this with your sister? He said: No, by Allah! The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: In the same way, people do not like this with their sister.  Then He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Do you desire this with your paternal aunt.  He said: No, by Allah! The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Similarly, people do not like this with their paternal aunts.  Then the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Do you desire this with your maternal aunt.  He said: No, by Allah! The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Similarly people do not like this with their maternal aunts.  Then, He affectionately placed His hand on his head and prayed: O Allah! Forgive all the sins of this young man.  Remove all dirty intentions from his heart and keep him chaste.

 

The Sahaba say that after that, that young man never paid any attention to any unreasonable thing.

 

 

(Musnad Imam Ahmed, Hadith No.  22868)