Have you ever suddenly come across reminders on social media, by the sidewalk, or anywhere, which you feel are exactly what you need at the moment?
Be grateful! Because those reminders you receive may actually come from Allah.
O Allah, give us the chance to perform Hajj! Ameen.
As Allah is the Most Merciful, He has always given reminders to His servants through any medium including YOU! We, humans are always forgetful. Thus, it’s our obligation to constantly remind each other about the deen, using whatever medium we can access.
Allah has charged believers with the task of enjoining the good, forbidding the wrong and reminding of the truth. Therefore, each reminder a believer receives is important. The Qur’an advises people to enjoin good and forbid evil and to remind one another of their responsibilities.
Enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil is a communal obligation; if some people do it, the rest are absolved of blame; but if all of them fail to do it, then each one who was able to do it but did not, with no reasonable excuse or fear, is guilty of sin!
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Allah, His angels, and the inhabitants of heaven and earth, even the ant in its hole and even the fish, send blessings – i.e., pray for good – upon the one who teaches the people good.”
(Tirmidhi).
Giving a good reminder is a great gift we can give to others. Yet, we sometimes run into trouble because of the way we offer it. Not all people are born with the ability to give advice tactfully, or offer constructive criticism effectively. Most people forget that the point of giving advice is to help others be successful and not to demean or belittle their worth or abilities.
Dispensing advice improperly, particularly to a close family member or friend, may jeopardise a valued relationship. The ability to give advice in a positive and beneficial way is an art. Avoid being judgmental. Do not attack the other party’s character. An advice that is perceived as being harsh or judgmental is likely to offend the person hearing it.
And for those who are lucky enough to receive good reminders from someone, take it seriously into your heart. As reminders may benefit the believers, try to make ourselves as part of those who take reminders from others as a gift.
“Who could do greater wrong than someone who is reminded of the Signs of his Lord and then turns away from them, forgetting all that he has done before? We have placed covers on their hearts, preventing them from understanding it, and heaviness in their ears. Though you call them to guidance, they will, nonetheless, never be guided.”
(Surat al-Kahf: 57)
Still, remind others, as reminders may benefit the believers!
