BENEFIT 194: Some people treat others harshly claiming that this is the way of the Salaf!
Question: You have mentioned that we should treat others gently, but some people are harsh with my friends and say that some of the Salaf like Shu'bah and Wakee' were strict and used to treat people harshly?
Sheikh Abdulḥamīd Az-Zu'kari ḥafidhahullāh:
The proof is in the example of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, not in Wakee' or Shu'bah. Exalted is Allah, how can one leave the example of the Prophet ﷺ and the examples of Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali, Talha, and Zubair, and instead turn to the example of Shu'bah, may Allah have mercy on him, or Al-A'mash? Suppose they were harsh in their teachings or had a stern approach with their students. The Salaf were indeed gentle, adhering to the Quran and Sunnah. However, due to the large number of students and persistent requests, you might observe some strictness from their teachers, which led to the mistaken belief that they were harsh with others.
This is not correct!
The Salaf As-Salih were the most eager to adhere to the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ. Shu'bah was among the leaders of guidance and lamps of darkness, but sometimes circumstances with their students, like the overwhelming number of sessions and students' demands, caused them to be stern. A person is human and feels pain just like others. They might have done this to test their students. Those truly dedicated to Hadith would endure the harshness and strictness, while those indifferent might say, "I won't seek knowledge from him."
However, we must adhere to what has been confirmed by the Prophet ﷺ: "Be gentle," as he said in the Hadith. We should follow what Allah and His Messenger love. The Prophet's message, from beginning to end, was based on gentleness. Even when someone would grab his garment harshly, causing a mark on his skin, the Prophet would smile at them.
As we call for gentleness and recognise our need for it, some individuals, upon becoming religiously upright, become harsh with their parents. They think they're are righteous and that's enough. No, my brother, be gentle with your mother and father so they may join you in righteousness. Be gentle with your siblings so they may follow you in the righteous path. Condemn wrongdoings within the boundaries of Shari'ah with the best approach. Why jump to harsh methods from the get go?
Why not start by educating people, teaching them, guiding them, and inviting them? Once they know, as Allah says (interpreted meaning): "Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in the best manner."
Didn't the One Who say (interpreted meaning), "argue with them in the best manner" also say before this (interpreted meaning), "with wisdom"?
Wisdom involves gentleness, kindness, and endearing the religion to them, endearing knowledge and the Sunnah to them. Similarly, good admonition is necessary. If you see someone turning away, bring them proofs that deter them, and so forth. Argue with them in the best manner, which could sometimes involve the sword for those in authority and others.
We must progress gradually in our invitation and adopt the best possible attitudes. "Gentleness is not found in anything except that it adorns it, and it is not removed from anything except that it disfigures it." (hadith)
There is no conflict between gentleness and uprightness. Some think that gentleness is a form of Tamyee' (laxity). No, it is not. Legitimate gentleness is not Tamyee'.
Tamyee' is misguided gentleness. Legitimate gentleness is following the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ in returning greetings, in good speech, in good conversation, in good advice, in wishing well for others, and in inviting them to goodness. This is a legitimate matter.
Source:
https://t.me/A_lzoukory/24983
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