3. One who adopts asceticism [i.e. disinterest] in the world will feast             his eyes on the reward granted to him by Allah Almighty on the Day of Judgement.

(The saint رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه then said), ‘Should I not tell you more?’ The young man replied, ‘Please do tell me.’ The saint رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه said: Anyone having three characteristics has perfected his faith:

1. One who enjoins good and also acts accordingly.

2. One who forbids evil and also refrains from it.

3. One who protects Divinely-declared bounds (i.e. carries out the commandments of Shari’ah and refrains from Shari’ah-prohibited deeds).

The saint رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه further said, ‘Should I tell you something more?’ The young man replied, ‘Why not? Please do tell me.’ The saint رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه said, ‘Get uninterested in the world and develop an interest in the Hereafter. Adopt truthfulness with Allah Almighty in every matter of yours. You will          gain salvation with other salvation-gaining individuals.’ Saying this, the saint رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه went away. When the young man enquired about the saint                رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه, he was told that the saint was Sayyiduna Imam Shaafi’i رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه.

(Ihya-ul-‘Uloom, vol. 1, pp. 45, summarised)

Dear Islamic brothers! You have just heard that how affectionately the leader of millions of Shaafi’i Muslims, Sayyiduna Muhammad Bin Idrees Shaafi’i
رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه made the individual effort. He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه reformed a young man who was not performing ablution properly as well as conveyed the call to righteousness to him. If only! We also succeed in following his footsteps. If we ever see someone making mistakes in Wudu, being lazy in offering Salah or committing sins such as lying, backbiting, tale-telling; then we should try to prevent him from committing these sins rather than committing backbiting and criticising him in his absence without a reason. We should advise him very affectionately and politely, and gain the treasure of rich reward in the afterlife. If we advise someone sincerely, then it will اِنْ شَــآءَالـلّٰـه عَزَّوَجَلَّ certainly  be beneficial. And why wouldn’t it be beneficial as Allah Almighty has